At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and manage cultural programmes that make a real difference in Birmingham.
- Company: Join Birmingham City Council's dynamic Culture Service team.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, pension contributions, and health support.
- Other info: Hybrid working with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in cultural strategy and community impact.
- Qualifications: Interest in culture, strong organisational skills, and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 35412 - 44075 £ per year.
An opportunity has arisen for a motivated and collaborative Culture Officer to join the Culture Service on a 12-month fixed term contract basis.
This role is primarily focused on commissioning activity, responding to emerging priorities within Birmingham’s cultural sector, and supporting the delivery of the city’s cultural strategy, Together on Culture. You will play an important role in shaping and managing commissioning programmes that deliver meaningful cultural outcomes for residents and communities. Working across the service and with external partners, you will help ensure that our cultural investment is strategic, inclusive and impactful.
Key Responsibilities- Support the development, delivery and oversight of commissioning programmes aligned to Together on Culture
- Respond to priorities within the cultural sector, ensuring activity reflects local needs and opportunities
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners (including cultural organisations, creatives and stakeholders)
- Contribute to the design of funding calls, assessment processes and monitoring frameworks
- Support contract management and ensure commissioned activity delivers against agreed outcomes
- Gather insight and feedback to inform future commissioning and strategic development
- Help embed partnership working and strengthen relationships across Birmingham’s cultural landscape
We are looking for someone who:
- Has an interest or experience in commissioning, funding programmes, or cultural sector delivery
- Understands the role of culture in supporting communities and place-based outcomes
- Can work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners
- Has strong organisational and coordination skills
- Is proactive, adaptable and able to respond to changing priorities
- Can interpret information and contribute to evidence-based decision making
This is an excellent opportunity to:
- Gain hands-on experience in cultural commissioning and strategy delivery
- Be part of delivering Birmingham’s Together on Culture ambitions
- Build strong partnerships across the cultural sector
- Develop skills in programme delivery, stakeholder engagement and strategic working
- Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund – with generous employer contributions
- Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – 30 days, increasing with length of service
- My Rewards Scheme – access to over 800 brands providing discounts and savings
- Health and wellbeing support – independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
For any informal enquiries please contact the Resourcing Team at resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk.
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.
Culture Officer in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. As a Culture Officer, you will have the unique opportunity to shape Birmingham's cultural landscape while enjoying generous benefits such as enhanced holiday entitlement, membership in the West Midlands Pension Fund, and access to a wide range of discounts through the My Rewards Scheme. With a commitment to diversity and a focus on meaningful community engagement, this role provides a rewarding platform for those passionate about culture and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Culture Officer in Birmingham
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Birmingham City Council.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Birmingham City Council.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Birmingham City Council.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Birmingham City Council. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Culture Officer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Birmingham City Council. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Culture Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Birmingham City Council. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
