Creative United

published – Thu, 25 Sep 2025

Job Summary

Oversee the growth and impact of publicly funded initiatives that play a vital role in supporting creative livelihoods across the UK.

Job Description

Creative United is a social enterprise that believes in the power of creativity to transform lives. We offer a supportive, inclusive work culture, flexible working arrangements, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the arts and creative economy.

We\\\’re looking for an experienced programme manager to join our senior leadership team as Head of Programme Development, overseeing the growth and impact of our flagship consumer credit programmes – Own Art and Take it away. These publicly funded initiatives play a vital role in supporting creative livelihoods across the UK, and we\\\’re looking for someone who can take them to the next level.

Initially offered as a 2-year fixed term contract, the Head of Programme Development will actively contribute to the evolution of our service offer as a social enterprise, helping to define the scope and scale of our funded programmes for the next funding period (2028 onwards).

Please refer to the full job description before making an application.

Job Requirements

Who we\\\’re looking for:

A dynamic and collaborative leader with:

• Proven experience in programme development, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement;
• A deep understanding of the UK\\\’s visual arts and/or music sectors;
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the creative industries;
• Strong analytical skills and a data-informed approach to decision making, and
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning for Own Art and Take it away, ensuring alignment with Creative United\\\’s mission to support sustainable careers in the arts and creative industries.
• Drive performance excellence, meeting and exceeding KPIs set by our funding partners across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Champion inclusivity and impact, ensuring our programmes effectively support marginalised and underrepresented artists, craft makers, and musicians.
• Build and nurture partnerships with galleries, music retailers, and stakeholders to enhance programme value and reach.
• Manage and mentor the Membership Development Manager, setting clear targets for network growth and diversification.
• Leverage data and insights to inform strategic decisions and maximise the social, economic, and financial contribution of our programmes.
• Identify new business opportunities to expand our consumer credit activities and deepen sector engagement.
• Job Title: Head of Programme Development (Consumer Credit)
• Hours: Full time
• Role: Customer Service
• Contract: Contract
• Location: London

How to Apply

To Apply:

Please send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter detailing suitability for the role with reference to the essential skills and attributes set out in the Job Description to recruitment@creativeunited.org.uk

Deadline for receipt of applications: 12 noon, Monday 6 October 2025. First stage (online) interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 20 October 2025.

Creative United is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and are happy to discuss any accessibility requirements you may have prior to making an application for this role. To discuss your needs, please email recruitment@creativeunited.org.uk or phone 020 7759 1111.

We work with partners across the public and private sectors to design and deliver programmes that enable economic growth and social impact.