At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with artists and organisations to enhance arts and culture in the South East.
- Company: Join Arts Council England, a leader in promoting diverse arts and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a final salary pension scheme.
- Other info: Embrace a dynamic role with travel opportunities across the South East.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the arts while building valuable relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in Combined Arts and relationship management is essential.
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 welcomes 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: Cambridge. The role will be based in Cambridge; 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.
Introduction: Arts Council England requires a collaborative and inclusive Relationship Manager with a knowledge of Combined Arts and an understanding of our place-based working to join our supportive South East team. You should have a good level of experience and understanding within Combined Arts - this includes outdoor arts, carnival and mela, circus, festivals, spectacle, interdisciplinary work, live art and participatory and social art practice. It takes place in a diverse range of venues from established theatres and galleries to communal settings, cross-artform venues and arts centres, pop-up spaces and outdoor sites. This role will include travel across the whole of Arts Council England’s South East region. The successful post holder will become a member of the Norfolk & Suffolk sub-regional place group. This aspect of the role will require regular travel across these two counties to meet organisations and attend events. We are looking for candidates with previous experience of place-based working.
Role Details: We are looking for a highly communicative person with strong interpersonal skills and experience of working with external clients and developing effective relationships which include a monitoring role. Knowledge and expertise to work across the South East of England and travel in order to fulfil some of our key place-based relationships and working. The Relationship Manager will ensure that we can effectively and credibly advise and support artists and organisations and will be someone passionate about broadening engagement in the arts and culture.
If you were currently doing this job, some of the areas you would have been working in this week would include:
- Giving funding advice, assessing grant applications, understanding project information, and monitoring performance.
- Assessing financial information, identifying risk, and providing feedback on artistic and organisational plans.
- Working as part of the Norfolk and Suffolk place-based regional group, setting up funding surgeries or meeting with a Local Authority to discuss place-based priorities, particularly in our Priority Places and other places of need.
- Working outside your specialism on a range of Arts Council initiatives.
- Being a crucial part of the South East and national Combined Arts teams.
To apply, you will need in-depth knowledge of Combined Arts practice and ecology within the arts and culture sector. You will also need relationship or stakeholder management experience, as well as an understanding of place-based working. At Arts Council England, we are looking for people who reflect the country's diversity today to help us shape and change the arts and cultural sector to make it more relevant to the diversity of the people, communities, and places we serve.
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.
We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent.
Job ref: SEC8
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 14 June 2026
1st Interview: (virtual) 22 June 2026
2nd Interview: (virtual) 02 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.
Relationship Manager, Combined Arts in Over employer: Arts Council England
Arts Council England is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance. With a generous annual leave allowance, a final salary pension scheme, and a commitment to employee growth and diversity, the organisation fosters an environment where passionate individuals can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the arts and culture sector across the vibrant city of Cambridge and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Relationship Manager, Combined Arts in Over
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the arts community! Attend events, workshops, and exhibitions to meet potential colleagues and collaborators. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised.
✨Show Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with someone about the role, let your enthusiasm for Combined Arts shine through! Share your experiences and ideas on how to engage communities and broaden participation in the arts.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Experience
Prepare to talk about your previous roles and how they relate to the job. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed relationships or projects in the arts sector, especially in place-based working.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Arts Council England.
We think you need these skills to ace Relationship Manager, Combined Arts in Over
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Make sure you have a solid understanding of Combined Arts and the specific requirements of the role. This will help you tailor your application to show how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your written application. We want to see who you are and how you can contribute to our team, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for the arts!
Follow the Guidelines:Remember, we don’t accept CVs or cover letters, so make sure you stick to the application format specified. This shows us that you can follow instructions and pay attention to detail.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arts Council England
✨Know Your Combined Arts Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Combined Arts, including outdoor arts, festivals, and participatory practices. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your understanding and passion for this diverse field.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Management Skills
Prepare to share stories about how you've successfully built and maintained relationships with external clients or stakeholders. Highlight any experiences where you’ve had to navigate challenges or conflicts, as this will show your interpersonal skills in action.
✨Understand Place-Based Working
Familiarise yourself with the concept of place-based working and be prepared to discuss how it applies to the role. Think about how you can contribute to the local arts scene in Norfolk and Suffolk, and be ready to suggest ideas for engaging with communities.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to tackle practical scenarios during the interview, such as assessing grant applications or providing funding advice. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
