Head of Cultural Services
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for culture, heritage and public service? Do you have the vision and drive to lead major cultural services and programmes that make a real difference to people’s lives?
Hours: 37
Salary: £63,303 - £70,596
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hereford
Closing date: Thursday 11th June 2026
Interview date: TBC July onwards
The Role
This role sits at the heart of our Community Wellbeing directorate and plays a key part in delivering the Council Plan and Herefordshire’s Cultural Strategy.
In This Senior Leadership Role, You Will
- Lead the transformation and modernisation of cultural services to ensure they are sustainable, efficient and responsive to community needs;
- Provide strategic leadership for all cultural services including museums, libraries and archives;
- Lead or support the delivery of major capital projects from development through to completion;
- Shape and deliver cultural programming that supports health, wellbeing and economic growth;
- Manage significant funding programmes and secure external investment;
- Develop and implement cultural strategies, policies and service plans;
- Build strong partnerships with local, regional and national organisations and funders;
- Represent the council on the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership Board;
- Champion culture across the council, ensuring it is embedded in wider services and priorities;
- Lead and develop high performing teams, setting clear expectations and driving improvement;
- Act as the council’s lead advisor on cultural, heritage and library services.
We Offer
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Salary range of £63,303 - £70,596;
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS);
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress;
- Annual leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period;
- Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working;
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling;
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements);
- Other benefits such as retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits including savings, cash‑back and discounts.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process is run in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: [email protected].
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
We will interview candidates who meet the essential criteria for the post:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability (part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme);
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist (part of the Armed Forces Covenant);
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver (part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care).
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
