Programme Manager - Art and Learning Programme in Suffolk

A creative and enthusiastic individual who manages the day-to-day running and administration of an arts charity and the development and delivery of an exciting and busy art and learning programme. The programme activities are based at our two buildings, in our garden and other buildings across town and for specific projects in other venues across East Suffolk. You are interested in and aware of the positive value of contemporary art, the creative industries and rural regeneration. You show a commitment to developing a local arts organisation and have an interest and understanding in the benefits of art and creativity to health and wellbeing.

You enjoy being part of a small busy team with the following roles: Programme Coordinator, Community Engagement Manager, General Manager, Director. You will be communicating and liaising with volunteers, freelancers and our board of trustees. You will manage the Art and Learning Programme (comprising exhibitions, talks, residencies, creative health sessions and workshops), general admin and co-ordination of the venue and its spaces that relate to delivery of the programme. You are happy to use your initiative, pitching-in when necessary and helping with a range of tasks. You will line manage the Community Engagement Manager and Programme Co-ordinator and any freelancers who are delivering aspects of the programme.

You have fundraising experience up to £25k, understand the fundraising process and how to shape fundraising approaches to different stakeholders. You will be a confident communicator who can communicate verbally, face to face and in writing to a variety of stakeholders, partners, community, funders and creatives. Adept with multiple software programmes including Office365, Mailchimp, Wordpress, Google Analytics, relevant design software, and ChatGPT. Your responsibilities will include overseeing and implementing marketing, communications and developing and managing the website in liaison with the team and freelancers.

Skills and experience:

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritise workloads
• Interested in art, the creative industries, the environment, and regeneration
• Ability to use initiative, self-manage and remain motivated
• Friendly, patient, practical and professional
• Experience working with the public
• Experienced fundraiser up to £25k applications
• Experience of managing 1 or 2 people
• Good writing and administration skills and attention to detail
• Experience using social media platforms
• Collaborative approach to working and a team player
• Happy to attend training in order to develop appropriate skills
• Enthusiastic and proactive
• Good communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• 5 years' experience at equivalent level administrative role
• Bachelor's degree
• 3+ years of experience in program management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills

The Art Station is a small energetic arts charity that offers a free inclusive art and learning programme for all ages across the year. Our programme of exhibitions, talks, walks, tours, creative hands-on sessions, creative health and environmental focused work increases access to high-quality creative opportunities for our local community and visitors to East Suffolk. We are located right on the high street in Saxmundham, a small and pretty historic market town. Our two period buildings are 48 High St – first floor of the former 1956 telephone exchange and 24 High St, The Old Bank which has a huge riverside garden. Our busiest period of public facing delivery is March to November and we offer one or two large scale festival days per year. There are a number of creative health projects that run across the year.

We are developing the cultural economy locally and regionally and a supportive network for creatives through affordable workspaces, mentoring and professional support, residencies, and peer crits. We offer volunteering, paid work placements and work experience for young people; offering pathways into the creative industries and transferable skills. We employ approximately 60 freelance creatives per year who work across our programme. Our funding is achieved through support from 40-60 funders per year and some charitable trading. Our programme characterises Saxmundham as an interesting place to live, work and visit and brings visitors to our town and local area who increase the high street spend which supports our local businesses.

The Art Station is at the beginning of an ambitious busy two-year period of strategic development to secure core funding and capital development to make our buildings fit for purpose into the future. We’re looking for a Programme Manager who can hit the ground running and whose skills, experience and commitment ensure the programme is effectively managed during this period of extra activity and change.