Manchester City Council: Director of Culture & Creative Industries

Role title: Director of Culture & Creative Industries
Employer: Manchester City Council
Location: Manchester
Salary: £111,669 – £123,071
Shape one of the world’s most distinctive cultural cities

You will:

• Provide clear, visible leadership for culture, creative industries and major cultural programmes.
• Chair and strengthen citywide governance, including the Cultural Strategy Partnership Board, Creative Industries Leadership Group and Events Commission.
• Lead significant capital, commissioning and regeneration activity linked to culture and creative industries.
• Secure investment and drive innovation, commercial development and cross sector partnerships.
• Represent and advocate for Manchester locally, nationally and internationally with government, funders and global cultural networks.
• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary service, building new creative industries capacity within the Council.

We are looking for a nationally credible cultural leader with significant senior level experience in the cultural or creative industries, public sector or similarly complex environments. You will bring a strong track record in creative industries development, investment and partnership working, alongside financial and commercial acumen.

You will be politically astute, emotionally intelligent and a confident communicator able to navigate complex issues, convene diverse partners and deliver at pace. A deep understanding of UK cultural policy, the role of local government and a genuine commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and neighbourhood access are essential.

This is a rare opportunity to shape Manchester’s cultural future, balancing global ambition with local community impact in a city that takes culture seriously and expects delivery.