At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative arts programmes that enhance mental health and wellbeing across London.
- Company: Core Arts, a pioneering Mental Health Charity and Creative Education provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to social impact and community integration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through creativity and education.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior leadership, experience in mental health or creative education.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Core Arts is an innovative Mental Health Charity and Creative Education provider delivering pioneering Arts in Health programmes across London. This senior leadership role provides strategic and operational oversight across creative education, personalised support, wellbeing and commissioned service delivery. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of high-quality, inclusive and outcomes-focused programmes which improve mental health, wellbeing and educational participation. The role combines educational leadership with recovery-focused and personalised approaches, ensuring students can access meaningful creative learning opportunities that support confidence, progression, independence and improved quality of life.
Working across visual arts, music, multimedia, horticulture and sport, the postholder will ensure that services align with Arts in Health principles, NHS and Local Authority priorities, and contribute to reducing health inequalities through creative approaches. The role will support the continued development of Core Arts as a recognised centre of excellence in Creative Education and Arts in Health.
Strategic Leadership & Service Development- Develop innovative programmes aligned to NHS priorities including prevention, early intervention, personalised care and community-based support.
- Ensure services remain responsive to emerging educational, health and social care agendas.
- Support organisational growth, sustainability and service expansion.
- Lead service planning and contribute to organisational strategy and business development.
- Drive continuous improvement through evaluation and innovation.
- Develop opportunities for integrated working across education, health and voluntary sector partnerships.
- Lead an outstanding student-centred creative education programme focused on participation, achievement and progression.
- Ensure students receive personalised learning pathways with clear goals and outcomes.
- Support progression into volunteering, employment, accredited learning and community opportunities.
- Support exhibitions, performances, events and public-facing events.
- Embed co-production and student voice throughout programme design and evaluation.
- Develop opportunities for students to gain confidence, leadership and independence.
- Monitor engagement, attendance and progression data to support continuous improvement.
- Embed Arts in Health principles across all areas of programme delivery.
- Ensure students are supported to improve wellbeing through meaningful creative engagement.
- Work collaboratively with clinical teams, community mental health services and external partners.
- Maintain safeguarding, duty of care and effective risk management procedures.
- Support early intervention approaches and sustained student engagement.
- Promote social inclusion and reduce isolation through participation in creative learning.
- Develop pathways which support emotional wellbeing, confidence and resilience.
- Ensure personalised support planning remains central to service delivery.
- Lead successful delivery of commissioned services and contractual KPIs.
- Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems are maintained.
- Demonstrate educational, wellbeing and social value outcomes through evidence and impact reporting.
- Ensure accurate data collection and performance monitoring.
- Support commissioner reporting and demonstrate measurable impact.
- Develop case studies and outcome frameworks which evidence the value of Arts in Health.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, GDPR and organisational governance requirements.
- Maintain oversight of quality assurance and continuous improvement processes.
- Support service audits and implementation of recommendations.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with NHS commissioners, Integrated Care Boards, Local Authorities and community partners.
- Support approaches aligned with personalised care and Personal Health Budgets.
- Promote creative approaches which contribute to prevention and reduce demand on statutory services.
- Contribute to integrated pathways supporting community mental health and social prescribing.
- Support collaborative planning with borough and health partners.
- Strengthen referral routes and increase access for underrepresented communities.
- Represent Core Arts at regional networks, conferences and partnership meetings.
- Promote the role of creativity and education within wider health and wellbeing systems.
- Provide, alongside the senior management team, leadership, supervision and support to managers, tutors, volunteers and interns.
- Ensure staff are equipped to deliver inclusive, high-quality learning experiences.
- Support innovation and collaborative working.
- Contribute to tender development and service growth opportunities.
- Champion organisational values and positive workplace culture.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of work.
- Minimum five years’ experience in senior leadership or service management.
- Experience within mental health, Arts in Health, creative education or community services.
- Experience of delivering commissioned services and contract management.
- Experience of partnership working across health, education or voluntary sectors.
- Experience of leading teams.
- Experience of monitoring outcomes and demonstrating impact.
- Arts in Health and recovery-focused practice.
- Creative education and adult learning principles.
- Mental health and wellbeing frameworks.
- Safeguarding.
- Personalised care approaches.
- Outcome measurement, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills.
- Strong financial and numeric acumen.
- Strategic thinking with strong operational delivery.
- Excellent partnership and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong organisational and analytical capability.
- Commitment to creativity, inclusion and social impact.
Core Arts are committed to finding the right person for this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and suitable candidates invited to interview as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled. To apply, please send a full CV and covering letter explaining how your experience meets the job description.
HEAD OF CREATIVE ARTS & HEALTH SERVICES in London employer: CORE ARTS
Core Arts is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a focus on innovative Arts in Health programmes, staff are encouraged to develop their skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges. Located in London, Core Arts offers unique opportunities for collaboration with NHS and community partners, ensuring that employees contribute to vital social change in a vibrant and dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HEAD OF CREATIVE ARTS & HEALTH SERVICES in London
✨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 CORE ARTS.
✨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 CORE ARTS.
✨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 CORE ARTS.
✨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 CORE ARTS. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF CREATIVE ARTS & HEALTH SERVICES in London
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 CORE ARTS. 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 HEAD OF CREATIVE ARTS & HEALTH SERVICES, 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 CORE ARTS
✨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 CORE ARTS. 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!
