Creative Economy Partnerships Manager in Bristol

The West of England Combined Authority is seeking to appoint three Creative Economy Partnerships Managers to join the Cultural and Creative Economy Service. The West of England was identified as a globally significant, high-growth creative cluster in the 2023 Creative Industries Sector Deal. The region is home to over 6,000 creative SMEs and more than 190 production companies, with an estimated annual economic value of £5bn. The creative sector employs over 43,000 people, accounting for 7.2% of total employment. Nesta ranks the West of England among the UK’s top five creative clusters, with export rates between 60% and 85% and significant untapped growth potential. Recognising these strengths, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has designated the West of England as a Creative Industries Priority Place. This reflects the region’s successful delivery of initiatives such as Create Growth, its established creative capabilities, and the sector’s future growth potential. As a result, £25m in funding has been secured for the region.

This is a new role to support the increased level of delivery associated with the Priority Place designation and you will be a key player within the Cultural and Creative Economy Service helping drive growth in the regional creative economy. Reporting to the Creative Economy Lead, the Creative Economy Partnerships Manager will support the economic growth of the West of England’s Creative Industries through the delivery of business growth and investment readiness programmes. Delivering on the priorities in our Regional Growth Strategy and the catalytic funding secured via our status as a Priority Region by the Government; the role is to broker beneficial partnerships, increase access to finance and undertake sector development which will drive innovation, increase business productivity, unlock private investment and support job creation particularly across 3 priority sectors – Screen, Createch and Music.

Role responsibilities

• Support the economic growth of the West of England’s Creative Industries through delivery of business growth and investment readiness programmes.
• Broker beneficial partnerships, increase access to finance and undertake sector development which will drive innovation, increase business productivity, unlock private investment and support job creation across 3 priority sectors – Screen, Createch and Music.
• Work with the Creative Economy Lead to deliver on the priorities in the Regional Growth Strategy and the Priority Place designation.

Additional information about the role

Interviews are planned to be held on W/C 25th May; this may be subject to change. The closing date for this role is 10th May 2026. The salary for this role is £47,181 - £51,356 (full-time equivalent; pro-rata for part-time). The West of England offers a benefits package including: 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service; option to purchase additional annual leave. 1 day of paid leave each year to volunteer. Local Government Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of 13.7%. Flexible, family-friendly and hybrid working options; typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week. Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England.

Working environment

The West of England is an amazing part of the world to live and work. We are based in a new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Good Employment Charter & Equal Opportunities

As a founding member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We ensure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and welcome applications from under-represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or require additional support in the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Resourcing Team. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications. If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency? We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.