At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications for a new service supporting cultural freelancers and artists.
- Company: Arts Council England, committed to inclusivity and cultural development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and a final salary pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the narrative for artists and make a real impact in the creative sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications, campaign planning, and content creation across various channels.
The predicted salary is between 38689 - 38689 £ per year.
Contract: Fixed term until 30 July 2027, working 35 hours per week. Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcomes applications from individuals who require flexibility.
Salary: £38,689 per annum Grade C plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Manchester. The role will be based in Manchester; 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.
Are you a compelling storyteller with a passion to support cultural freelancers?
About the role: Arts Council England is seeking a professional to lead and deliver communications around the development of a new Individuals Service. You will develop and share the story of how the programme evolves, from concept to launch, and how it will support the community of artists and individual practitioners freelancing within the creative and cultural sector.
Who we are looking for: We're looking for a confident and experienced comms professional who can lead on advice, messaging, planning, delivery and enhancing impact. You will have experience devising campaigns, producing clear content, and executing across different communication channels.
About the Individuals Service: As part of priorities outlined in our new Strategic Framework, we are committed to developing a new service for individuals, delivering on the recommendations in the Independent Review of Arts Council England 2026. The service will bring together and make more visible the support and work we already fund and introduce a new national funding programme for individuals. It will be a simple, intuitive one-stop shop for artists and freelancers that combines funding programmes with improved advice, access to training and skills development opportunities, and career-long support. It will be underpinned by user-centred service design principles as part of our wider digital transformation.
The Individuals Service will build on Arts Council's extensive investment in Individuals across programmes including the National Portfolio, National Lottery Project Grants, Develop Your Creative Practice, and a range of other sector development investment initiatives. It will provide enhanced support and guidance, alongside a simpler, more accessible approach to funding and support. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to shape the narrative and help realise the full potential of what we can offer, with, by, and for freelancers.
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.
We participate in the 'Offer an Interview' scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they're applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long-term condition and/or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.
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. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk.
We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent. Find out what to expect with our application Guidance: How to apply and recruitment selection process | Arts Council England and more about our commitment to diversity on our website.
Job ref: ARTCF146
Closing date: 10:00am, 19 June
1st Interview: (virtual) 29 June 2026
2nd Interview: (virtual) 06 July 2026
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 recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk.
Senior Communications Officer (Content and Media) in Manchester employer: Arts Council England
Arts Council England is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Manchester, where flexibility and hybrid working are embraced. With a commitment to employee growth through diverse training opportunities and a generous benefits package, including a final salary pension scheme and ample annual leave, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the creative and cultural sector.
