At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse financial performance and support investment decisions for Music Hubs.
- Company: Join Arts Council England, a leader in music education and cultural enrichment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a final salary pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on music education for children and young people across England.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in financial management and risk assessment.
The predicted salary is between 38689 - 38689 £ per year.
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: £38,689 per annum Grade C plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Cambridge, Brighton, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds or Newcastle. The role will be based in any of the locations listed; 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 manages the national Music Hub programme on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), investing over £100 million to ensure that every child and young person in England can access high-quality music education and opportunities both in and out of school.
We are looking for a Senior Officer, Performance, Finance and Risk to join our Music Hubs team who can use data, insight and sound judgement to help monitor performance, manage risk and support investment decisions across a major national programme. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who combines strong financial and analytical skills with excellent communication and relationship management abilities.
You will work closely with colleagues across the Music Hubs team, providing expert advice and analysis on finance, risk and organisational performance. Your work will help ensure that public investment is managed effectively and that Music Hubs are well supported to deliver positive outcomes for children and young people.
Why join us? Join us and play a key role in helping to ensure that every child and young person in England has access to excellent music education opportunities. At Arts Council England, we believe that culture enriches lives and communities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and able to thrive. We recognise the benefits of flexible working and welcome applications from candidates who may require flexibility in how they work.
Role Details:
- Analyse and report on the financial performance, governance and risk profile of individual Music Hubs and the wider programme.
- Produce high-quality reports and insights for Arts Council England and the Department for Education to support programme management and policy development.
- Support Relationship & Development Managers in assessing financial performance, governance arrangements and organisational risk.
- Contribute financial and performance analysis to investment decisions, business cases and Spending Review submissions.
- Manage key grant administration processes, including financial decision recording, budget profiling, grant adjustments and reconciliations.
- Review financial reports, budgets, cashflow forecasts and management accounts submitted by Hub Lead Organisations.
- Quality assure risk assessments and performance ratings, identifying where additional support or intervention may be required.
- Monitor compliance with funding agreements and reporting requirements, supporting assurance processes and programme oversight.
- Develop and deliver training, guidance and briefings on financial management, risk assessment and monitoring requirements.
- Work closely with colleagues to improve processes, systems and ways of working, including supporting development of our grant management systems.
About You:
- Experience of monitoring organisational or programme performance and risk, identifying emerging issues and recommending appropriate support or interventions.
- Experience of financial reconciliation, reporting and issue resolution.
- A strong understanding of business models and financial governance within charities, not-for-profit organisations and/or local authorities.
- Experience of interpreting management accounts and analysing financial information.
- Knowledge of risk management frameworks and monitoring systems.
- Experience providing financial advice, guidance and support to a range of stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with people at all levels.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and an understanding of its relevance to the role.
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
Job ref: COO20
Closing date: 09:00am, Thursday 17 September 2026
1st Interview: (virtual/In person) 01 or 02 October
2nd Interview: (virtual/In person) 12 or 13 October
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 Officer, Music Hubs Performance, Finance and Risk (COO20) employer: Arts Council England
Arts Council England is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values flexibility and employee well-being. With a focus on professional growth, employees benefit from generous annual leave, a final salary pension scheme, and opportunities to lead innovative digital projects in a collaborative environment. Located in Manchester, the role allows for hybrid working, ensuring a balanced approach to work and life while contributing to meaningful organisational change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Officer, Music Hubs Performance, Finance and Risk (COO20)
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
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✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Arts Council England. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Officer, Music Hubs Performance, Finance and Risk (COO20)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Arts Council England and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Arts Council England how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arts Council England
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
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In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Arts Council England's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
