At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct research to enhance our membership programme and engage with current and potential members.
- Company: Crafts Council, a vibrant community of makers and craft lovers.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, creative environment, and the chance to shape the future of craft.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with passionate individuals and contribute to meaningful change.
- Why this job: Join us to make a real impact in building a collaborative craft community.
- Qualifications: Experience in audience research and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Did you know that Crafts Council Gallery is available for hire? Our members are at the heart of Crafts Council. They include more than 1,500 independent makers and businesses, craft lovers and supporters of our charitable work. In 2025, we refreshed our membership programme with a range of new digital content. We now want to better understand what our members think and value about the benefits we offer, and what might be stopping others from joining. We will use this insight to improve the next iteration of the scheme. This is not simply about increasing membership numbers or income. We want to develop a distinctive, collaborative and energising community that people actively want to join and play a part in. We particularly hope more young people will see membership as a way for them to shape the future of craft.
Scope of Work
- Research with current members: understand what current members think of and value about the current offer. This should surface both what is working well for them and where the offer is falling short.
- Research with potential members: engage with potential individual and institutional members who could benefit from greater connection with Crafts Council and may share similar interests and motivations with our current members. We want to understand what might encourage them to join, and what barriers currently stand in the way. These could include: low awareness, financial barriers, perceived value and communications.
- Comparator analysis: provide examples of membership schemes we could learn from, including enterprise models, inside and outside the cultural and creative sectors.
- Findings and recommendations: present clear findings with a practical set of recommendations for how Crafts Council could improve our membership scheme and better respond to members’ needs. We want ambitious, bold thinking that helps us meet our goal of building an exciting, collaborative and warm community of makers and craft lovers.
- Sharing findings: share the findings and recommendations with relevant Crafts Council staff, for example at an in-person meeting.
Research Approach and Data Protection
Please set out your proposed mix of methods and the number of people you would engage in your response. We are interested in depth over breadth: a smaller number of richer, more detailed conversations that surface deep insight, rather than a high volume of superficial responses. We hold significant data about our current members, including past surveys and membership statistics, which we will share. We can also contact members on your behalf to invite them to take part in your research. For reaching potential members, we can help open doors through our channels and networks, and also expect you to draw on your own approaches to contact people beyond our existing audiences. Research participants will be offered a small thank-you for their time (such as gift vouchers), funded separately from the £5,000 budget. The successful freelancer will be expected to handle all personal data sensitively and in line with UK GDPR and Crafts Council’s data protection policies, including gaining appropriate consent from participants. Any member contact details or data shared with you remain the property of Crafts Council and must be used only for the purposes of this brief. We are open to your proposal on the final format of the deliverables. Please tell us what you recommend and how these outputs would help us make the changes necessary to improve the next iteration of the membership scheme.
About You
- Experienced in audience or membership research, ideally within the cultural sector.
- Skilled at drawing out insight and translating it into clear, practical findings and recommendations.
- Confident engaging a range of people, including current and potential members and colleagues in different teams.
- Curious and comfortable presenting bold and ambitious ideas that challenge how we do things.
- Calm under pressure, highly organised and solutions-focused, able to meet deadlines and manage multiple project strands.
To deliver this brief, you must be eligible to work in the UK.
Deadline
The deadline for expressions of interest is: 9.30am, Monday 7 September 2026. We will be shortlisting expressions of interest by selecting the proposals which best meet our project aims and the candidate with the most relevant experience and creative ideas. We expect to invite shortlisted candidates for interview during the week of 14 September.
Equal Opportunities
Please also complete our voluntary anonymised Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form here.
Freelancer: Insight-informed membership employer: THE CRAFTS COUNCIL
The Crafts Council in Manchester is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and supportive studio environment where creativity thrives. With flexible working hours and a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills in pottery while contributing to a collaborative team. Join us for a rewarding experience that values your contributions and allows for personal development in the arts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelancer: Insight-informed membership
✨Connect with Local NGOs
Dive into local non-profit events and community workshops—these are goldmines for freelance gigs in the social impact space. Networking with pro-bono organisations can lead to discovering opportunities where your skills can shine.
✨Showcase Your Impact Portfolio
Create a compelling portfolio that highlights your past social impact projects. This should include client testimonials and case studies—real stories that show how you've made a difference. Use platforms like Behance or a personal website to host your work.
✨Engage with Online Communities
Join Facebook groups and LinkedIn communities focused on social impact and non-profits. Participating in discussions not only builds your reputation but can also lead to freelance gigs as other members share job opportunities.
✨Pitch to Non-Profit Startups
Many start-ups in the non-profit sector are looking for freelancers who can support their mission. Research potential projects, approach them with tailored pitches that explain how you can help, and apply directly through our website for a solid starting point!
We think you need these skills to ace Freelancer: Insight-informed membership
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:When applying for a freelance role in social impact projects, let your enthusiasm shine through! In your application, share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to social causes. This helps us see why you're a perfect fit for making a difference with THE CRAFTS COUNCIL.
Craft a Tailored Portfolio:For our freelance positions, it’s really important to include a portfolio that showcases your previous work in the nonprofit sector or social impact initiatives. Highlight projects that align closely with the kind of work THE CRAFTS COUNCIL does, and don’t forget to include metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact!
Outline Your Availability and Rates Clearly:Transparency is key in freelance applications! Make sure to include your availability and any rate expectations in your application. This gives us a clear understanding of how you can fit into our projects and helps to set the stage for a smooth collaboration.
Connect the Dots in Your CV:When it comes to your CV, focus on relevant experiences that highlight your skills in project management, grant writing, or community engagement. Tailor your CV to reflect the specific requirements of the freelance role at THE CRAFTS COUNCIL to help us understand how you can directly contribute to our mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE CRAFTS COUNCIL
✨Showcase Your Impact
As we're diving into the world of nonprofits and social impact projects, it’s vital to highlight your previous work that made a difference. Bring along case studies or examples from your freelance projects that emphasise your ability to create positive change and measure outcomes. Let’s show THE CRAFTS COUNCIL how you’ve delivered real results!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you’d handle specific challenges in the nonprofit space. They might throw real-world scenarios your way to see your problem-solving skills in action. Practise articulating your thought process, as this will demonstrate not only competence but also a genuine passion for the issues at stake.
✨Pitch Your Unique Value
Remember, freelancing means you’re not just someone they hire; you’re a partner in their mission. Be prepared to sell your unique skillset and how it fits their needs. Tailor your pitch based on the social causes they're involved in to show that you understand and resonate with their goals.
✨Bring the Right Tools
In the nonprofit sector, familiarity with project management and collaboration tools can set you apart. Whether it’s Trello, Asana, or Google Workspace, have examples ready of how you’ve used these tools in past projects to streamline your work. This will illustrate your organisational skills and readiness to be an effective team member from day one.
