Project Manager - Programmes & Operations

Location: London / Hybrid

Salary: £40,000-£50,000 FTE + 10% salary contribution + excellent benefits

Industry Sector: Arts, Charity

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Glass Castle Foundation believes in the fundamental role of art and artists in society. We are a new philanthropic foundation committed to providing catalytic, early-stage and long-term support for the artists and audiences of the future. We aim to do this through innovative grantmaking and partnerships, residencies, presentation spaces and research.

Glass Castle are looking for a Project Manager - Programmes & Operations: a strategic planner with a strong track record of effective delivery to establish the processes and systems to get the foundation’s programmes and operations up and running. The Project Manager will play an essential part in setting up the organisational structures and processes of Glass Castle Foundation, ensuring that all aspects of what we do and how we do it align with our core mission and purpose, and embed our values.

Once set up, the Project Manager will ensure that Glass Castle’s projects, programmes and grants run smoothly and efficiently, supporting artists, partners, the team, and the organisation’s systems. The role is central to day-to-day project delivery, grants administration, evaluation, and operational support, helping the small team function effectively while upholding the organisation’s mission and values.

This is a role for someone who is excited by being part of a new philanthropic organisation in its start-up phase, and is confident about turning their skills and experience to a wide range of tasks. The responsibilities of the role will evolve over time as different aspects of Glass Castle’s work become operational and as the team grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme & Project Management: research, management and coordination of a wide range of project, programme and/or operational areas.
• Grants Administration: supporting the set up and administration of operational systems and processes for Glass Castle’s grant‑making for organisations and individuals.
• Evaluation & Impact: supporting the development and set up of a mission and values aligned evaluation and learning methodology for all of the foundation’s work.
• Operational & Administrative Support: Assist with day‑to‑day office administration, IT, and smooth running of all organisational systems, working closely with the Executive Assistant.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with all team members to ensure smooth workflows and shared understanding, and support open and transparent communication.
• Values & Culture: Uphold and model Glass Castle’s values in day‑to‑day work: artist‑centred, collaborative, equitable, and sustainable.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience

• Proven experience in project or programme management, ideally in arts, cultural, charitable, or philanthropic contexts.
• Experience administering grants, commissions, or funded programmes, including tracking applications, agreements, and reporting.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Comfortable working in a small, evolving team where responsibilities will evolve and shift.
• Experience supporting project budgets, cash flows, and expenditure monitoring, reporting issues to programme leads.
• Experience supporting evaluation, monitoring and impact tracking of projects or grants.
• Collaborative, proactive, and solution‑focused.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supporting artist residencies, commissions, or presentation programmes.
• Familiarity with governance, trustee reporting, or funder reporting.
• Experience with CRM systems, Google Drive, evaluation and data platforms, or equivalent platforms.
• Understanding of environmental sustainability frameworks in arts sector.

Values Alignment

• Commitment to artist‑centred practice.
• Awareness of structural barriers in the cultural sector and dedication to equity and access.
• Comfort working in iterative, and collaborative environments.
• Care‑focused approach to colleagues, artists, audiences, and the broader cultural ecosystem.

Glass Castle Foundation is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The foundation values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you're excited about the role but your experience does not fully align, we encourage you to get in touch for a conversation anyway. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups such as the global majority, LGBTQA+, and those with a disability and neurodiverse conditions. We are happy to adapt our recruitment process to accommodate your needs.