At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage relationships with funded organisations and support diversity or community engagement initiatives.
- Company: Join the Arts Council, a leader in promoting culture and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities and champion diversity in the arts.
- Qualifications: Experience in diversity or community engagement and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 38689 - 38689 £ per year.
The Arts Council recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and we welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility.
Salary: £38,689 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Birmingham or Nottingham. The roles can be based in either our Birmingham or Nottingham offices; 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.
We are looking for candidates with specialist sector knowledge of Diversity or Communities & Engagement. We are also looking for candidates with previous experience of place-based working. Two roles are available. Please indicate which role you are applying for as part of the application process.
As a Relationship Manager, you will act as the primary conduit and point of contact between regularly funded organisations and the Arts Council. You will broker internal and external relationships to ensure that organisations and individuals have access to appropriate sources of expertise and knowledge to support them in contributing to our interim strategic framework, Excellence for Everybody, Everywhere, in the context of meeting their business plans and operating effectively.
As a Relationship Manager, you can expect to:
- Manage a portfolio of funded organisations in the Arts Council’s National Portfolio, monitoring their performance against their funding agreement.
- Take part in decision-making processes through written appraisals and participation in decision-making panels for the Arts Council’s open funding streams.
- Effectively and credibly give funding advice to organisations and individuals.
- Analyse financial information, identifying investment risks, and providing feedback to applicants.
- Share your expertise internally and externally as well as working outside your specialism on a range of Arts Council initiatives.
- Contribute to our work across the region as part of the Midlands Area team.
About the Relationship Manager, Diversity role:
As the Relationship Manager, Diversity (Midlands), you will act as the area lead for your cross‑cutting specialism and work closely with the relevant national discipline team. You will share specialist knowledge and insights with other relationship managers across the organisation to support informed decision‑making, strengthen strategic alignment, and ensure that regional delivery reflects national priorities.
You will be expected to participate in cross‑discipline meetings beyond your immediate specialism to support the development of shared awareness and understanding of diversity‑related themes, ensuring these are effectively embedded within the Arts Council’s strategic and development objectives.
You will also lead on diversity‑related development work to identify individuals and organisations requiring support to apply to our funding programmes, using learning and insights to contribute to the Arts Council’s strategic objectives for widening access to funding.
What you will bring to the role:
- Diversity & Inclusion Expertise: Proven experience in delivering projects or initiatives that directly improved outcomes for diverse or underrepresented groups.
- Sector Insight: A deep understanding of the structural barriers affecting diverse freelancers, practitioners, and cultural organisations.
- Collaborative Leadership: An ability to act as an area lead for your specialism, working closely with the national discipline team to share knowledge and support awareness of current issues.
- Strategic Alignment: Strong analytical, communication and presentation skills to effectively share insights with Relationship Managers and members of the Midlands Management Team, enabling data-driven decision-making and alignment with strategic priorities.
About the Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement role:
As the Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement (Midlands), you will be a key member of the Midlands Communities & Engagement team and work closely with the national team. You will be the Relationship Manager for a mixed portfolio of organisations across the Midlands. Monitoring and supporting the progress of Creative People and Places programmes (CPPs) will be a key focus of the role.
You should have a proven track record in broadening engagement in culture and creativity through co-creation, co-production and empowering community voice so that everybody, everywhere has access to the benefits of a rich cultural and creative life.
You will be expected to support the development of shared awareness and understanding of best practice in community engagement, using your knowledge and experience of engaging communities from a wide range of backgrounds in culture and creativity, particularly those who may be less likely to engage.
You will identify individuals and organisations requiring support to apply to our funding programmes, using learning and insights to contribute to the Arts Council’s strategic objectives for widening access to funding.
You will share specialist knowledge and insights with other relationship managers to support informed decision‑making, strengthen strategic alignment, and ensure that regional delivery reflects national priorities for communities and engagement.
What you will bring to the role:
- Specialist Expertise: Proven experience in delivering projects or initiatives that directly improve outcomes for underrepresented groups and communities.
- Sector Insight: A deep understanding of the structural barriers to access for communities across the Midlands.
- Collaborative Leadership: An ability to act as an area lead, working closely with the national team to share knowledge and support awareness of current issues.
- Strategic Alignment: Strong analytical, communication and presentation skills to effectively share insights with Relationship Managers and members of the Midlands Management Team, enabling data-driven decision-making and alignment with strategic priorities.
You will also need to have:
- Awareness of current cultural sector trends and opportunities.
- A good understanding of organisational dynamics, including business planning, financial reporting, performance management and governance.
- Relationships development skills and experience with organisations at all levels and have strong communication and analytical skill to provide advice and support on artistic and operational challenges faced.
- Experience of working with a range of cross sector stakeholders towards common place-based goals.
- Experience at handling challenging conversations with senior leaders.
If you’re looking to make a positive impact and create change, possessing an inclusive and committed approach, you will be rewarded with an excellent salary and benefits package.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.
If there are any adjustments that would support you in your application, please do let us know when you apply. If you are disabled, Evenbreak are able to provide support with your application.
Disabled, D/deaf and/or neurodivergent people and those from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in our workforce so we particularly encourage applications from people in these groups.
About us: Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme.
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.
We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent. Find out what to expect with our application guidance and more about our commitment to diversity on our website.
Job ref: MBN6 and MN15
Closing date: Monday 10th August 2026, 12 noon
1st Interviews (Online): 26th/27th August 2026
2nd Interviews (In person – in Nottingham or Birmingham TBC) 4th September
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.
1x Relationship Manager, Diversity and 1x Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement in Birmingham employer: Arts Council England
Arts Council England is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises inclusivity and creativity. With flexible and hybrid working arrangements based in Manchester, employees are empowered to manage diverse projects while receiving ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the arts education sector. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people through the arts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 1x Relationship Manager, Diversity and 1x Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement in Birmingham
✨Get Involved Locally
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Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Arts Council England.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Arts Council England.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
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We think you need these skills to ace 1x Relationship Manager, Diversity and 1x Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Arts Council England. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like 1x Relationship Manager, Diversity and 1x Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arts Council England
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Arts Council England. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
