At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver communications for a new Individuals Service supporting cultural freelancers.
- Company: Join Arts Council England, a leader in the creative and cultural sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible hybrid working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for career growth and support for diverse applicants.
- Why this job: Shape the narrative for artists and freelancers while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications, campaign development, and content creation required.
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 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 is 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.
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: 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, Individual Service (ARTCF146) 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 training and development opportunities, alongside generous benefits such as a final salary pension scheme and ample annual leave, Arts Council fosters a culture that values creativity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for passionate communications professionals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Communications Officer, Individual Service (ARTCF146) in Manchester
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Communications Officer, Individual Service (ARTCF146) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Arts Council England. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Arts Council England.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arts Council England
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
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As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
