At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative cultural services that enhance community wellbeing and economic growth.
- Company: Herefordshire Council, dedicated to culture, heritage, and public service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives through culture and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Strategic leadership experience in cultural services and strong community focus.
The predicted salary is between 63303 - 70596 £ per year.
Hours: 37 per week
Salary: £63,303 - £70,596
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hereford
Closing date: Thursday 11th June 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed - July onwards
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? This is a pivotal moment for Herefordshire. We are reshaping how cultural services are delivered, alongside investing in major infrastructure such as the redevelopment of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery and the new Hereford Library and Learning Centre.
As Head of Cultural Services, you will lead a significant programme of service transformation across museums, libraries, archives, public art and cultural programming. You will modernise how services operate, improve sustainability and ensure culture plays a central role in wellbeing, economic growth and community life.
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)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong. At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together.
You will probably have heard a lot about how beautiful it is in terms of countryside and open spaces (and it is!) but there is so much more going on here, including world-class cultural assets like the Mappa Mundi, vibrant theatres and a thriving food and drink sector. One of Herefordshire’s biggest assets is the strong and diverse communities. Our Talk Community approach brings that together supporting people to help themselves, encouraging them to help their communities and identifying how communities can help individuals. Our ambitious transformation programme aims to further build on this to offer an all-age approach. We’re excited about the potential of what we can achieve for the benefit of all residents of Herefordshire, stronger together and building brighter futures.
Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.
Our recruitment process runs 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.
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox - check your spam/ junk folder too. Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!
Head of Cultural Services in Hereford employer: Hoople
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture, where every role contributes to the community's wellbeing. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, flexible working options, and clear pathways for career progression, we empower our staff to grow and thrive. Located in the picturesque Herefordshire, you will be part of a vibrant team dedicated to transforming cultural services and enhancing the lives of residents through innovative programmes and strong community partnerships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Cultural Services in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the cultural sector, attend events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its cultural initiatives. Show us that you're not just passionate about culture but also understand how it impacts community wellbeing and economic growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for cultural services and how you plan to lead transformation. We want to hear your ideas on modernising services and engaging with the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of Herefordshire Council and its mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Cultural Services in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Cultural Services role. Highlight your experience in cultural services, leadership, and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with our vision for Herefordshire!
Showcase Your Passion:In your application, let your passion for culture and community shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about transforming cultural services!
Address the Job Description:When filling out the application form, refer directly to the job description and person specification. Use the same language and keywords to demonstrate that you understand what we're looking for. It shows us you're serious about the role!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can lead with vision and warmth, so a touch of your unique style can make a great impression!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople
✨Know Your Cultural Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into Herefordshire's cultural scene. Familiarise yourself with local museums, libraries, and community projects. This will not only show your passion for the role but also help you discuss how you can contribute to the transformation of cultural services.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a strategic leader, it's crucial to articulate your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in cultural or public service settings. Highlight your ability to inspire and drive change within diverse teams.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
Expect questions about your vision for cultural services and how you plan to modernise them. Think about innovative ideas that align with the council's goals for community wellbeing and economic growth. Be ready to discuss how you would manage significant funding programmes and partnerships.
✨Emphasise Community Engagement
This role is all about making a difference in people's lives. Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with local communities and stakeholders. Share any past experiences where you've successfully built partnerships or involved the community in cultural initiatives.
