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- Tasks: Lead community programmes and engage with local partners at a unique arts venue.
- Company: Hampshire Cultural Trust, dedicated to enriching lives through culture.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension contributions, health plans, and discounts for employees.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while working in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and programme management across various art forms.
- Other info: Dynamic recruitment process; apply early for a chance to shine!
The predicted salary is between 15900 - 16800 £ per year.
Level: 3B
Salary: £15,900 - £16,800 per annum (£26,500 - £28,000 FTE)
Location: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
Hours: 22.2 hours per week (3 days)
Type of Contract: Fixed-Term (Maternity Cover until April 2027)
About the role
Do you want to lead the community programme and engagement at a one of a kind arts venue? As the community programme manager at Forest Arts Centre, you will take the lead and ownership of the venue’s community programming and engagement – covering the workshops, classes and exhibitions across the venue as well as working closely with our programming team. You will also generate, maintain and develop great links with local partners, stakeholders and those in the community to identify opportunities to encourage these groups to engage with the venue and to maximise a diverse and engaging community programme.
A bit about you
You’ll have extensive experience in community engagement and working with freelancers in a programme capacity. You’ll have experience of programme management focused on a variety of classes, workshops and events across various art-forms. A strong administrative background and great stakeholder management skills are essential coupled with your creativity to deliver a commercially viable programme against income and expenditure targets.
Who we are
At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 20+ attractions and deliver county-wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture. We promote equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work and we encourage and support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our staff. We are inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Therefore, we are committed to implementing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities in our recruitment process and in employment.
The benefits of working for us
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro-rated for part time working)
- 5/7.5% Employer pension contributions
- Generous occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Generous compassionate leave scheme
- Paid emergency leave
- Industry leading Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to same day GP appointments for employees and their immediate family
- Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)
- Interest-free Season ticket loans and travel loans from first day of employment
- Charity Worker Discounts Scheme (savings on retail, leisure, groceries, travel etc.)
- Access to free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses for VDU use
- Free flu vaccination vouchers
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cash Plan (cashback on dental, optical, medical for monthly subscription cost)
- Opportunities to learn, develop and progress
- Free tea and coffee
- Team Card - Free access to venues for friends and family, and discounts across café and retail.
Recruitment process
We will be running a dynamic recruitment process so we would encourage candidates to submit an application as soon as possible as we will be interviewing candidates before the closing date. To apply please fill in the application form with an up-to-date CV. We do not require covering letters for this position however would be grateful to receive context to your application / We would encourage a covering letter for this position around your context for applying and why you would excel in the position.
Closing date for applications 9 February 2026
To find out more about us visit our website www.hampshireculture.org.uk and https://careers.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/
Community Programmes Manager employer: Hct
Contact Detail:
Hct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Programmes Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, take some time to explore Forest Arts Centre and its community programmes. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their mission and engage with local partners.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get insider info about the culture and expectations at Hampshire Cultural Trust. This could give you a leg up during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Prepare examples of past community engagement projects you've led. Be ready to discuss how you can bring fresh ideas to the table for workshops and events that resonate with diverse audiences.
✨Tip Number 4
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 the team and contributing to the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Programmes Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know Us: Before you dive into your application, take a moment to explore our website. Understanding our mission and values will help you tailor your application to show how you fit into our community-focused vibe.
Show Your Passion: When filling out the application form, let your enthusiasm for community engagement shine through. Share specific examples of your past experiences that relate to the role, especially those that highlight your creativity and stakeholder management skills.
Be Concise but Impactful: While we love a good story, keep your responses clear and to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without rambling – we want to see what makes you the perfect fit for the Community Programmes Manager role!
Context is Key: Although we don’t require a covering letter, if you choose to include one, make it count! Use it to explain why you’re excited about this position and how your background aligns with our goals at Forest Arts Centre.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hct
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, research the local community and its needs. Understand the demographics, interests, and challenges faced by the community around Forest Arts Centre. This will help you demonstrate your commitment to community engagement and show how you can tailor programmes to meet their needs.
✨Showcase Your Programme Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of your past experiences in programme management. Highlight successful workshops or events you've led, focusing on how you engaged with stakeholders and freelancers. Be ready to discuss how you balanced creativity with budget constraints to deliver impactful programmes.
✨Emphasise Stakeholder Relationships
Think about the key stakeholders you’ve worked with in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you built and maintained these relationships, and how they contributed to the success of your community programmes. This will show that you understand the importance of collaboration in this role.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Hampshire Cultural Trust's mission and values, especially around equity, inclusion, and diversity. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to these principles in community engagement.
