Overview
Director, Literature and Bristol (SWB31)
Contract: Permanent, working 35 hours per week (Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility)
Salary: £61,927 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Bristol (The role will be based in Bristol; however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1-2 days a week)
As the Director, South West and Literature, you will play a key role in developing our national ambitions, as well as playing your part in a South West team dedicated to ensuring that culture thrives in all of our communities, from Tewkesbury to Portsmouth, from Swindon to the Isles of Scilly. As leader of the Arts Council's work around literature, you'll work with a team of relationship managers to take ownership of our work in this exciting field. You will have a chance to build on our progress promoting reading for pleasure and our successful recent work with the National Year of Reading, as well as take further our development support for independent publishers and bookshops. You will join us as we go into our next national portfolio round and have an immediate opportunity to influence our future investment in the literature sector.
Within the South West team, you will operate from our Bristol office and play a central role in our area management team, line managing senior staff, convening team meetings, and owning some critical sector relationships. Across the region, culture plays a critical role in placemaking, economic development and civic pride. In a typical year, we will invest more than £55 million in the South west's cultural ambitions.
As well as forging strong links with fellow arm's length bodies and Lottery Distributors, such as Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute, we work closely with stakeholders in local government, higher education, business and the voluntary and community sectors to maximise the potential of our investment. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for the right candidate - come and join us in creating a bold and inclusive future for arts and culture.
Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding - either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact
To find out more about the role, view the recruitment pack and the job description, please click here
If you would like any further information about the role or would like to arrange an informal conversation with Phil Gibby the South West Area Director, please contact his PA. Email:
Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 10 May 2026
1st interviews: Virtual, 08, 09 and 10 June
2nd interviews: In person at the Bristol office, Friday 19 June
Please note: We do NOT accept CVs or cover letters as part of our recruitment process. If you require any documentation in an alternative format, please contact
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