Relationship Manager (SECB19)
Relationship Manager (SECB19)
Contract: Fixed Term until 31 May 2026, working 35 hours per week. (Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility)
Salary: £36,987 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Cambridge (The role will be based at the office base listed; however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1-2 days a week)
As a Relationship Manager, you will act as the primary conduit and point of contact between these organisations and the Arts Council. You will broker internal and external relationships to ensure that funded organisations have access to appropriate sources of expertise and knowledge to support them in achieving great art in the context of meeting their business plans and operating effectively.
We are looking for candidates with specialised sector knowledge of museums, combined arts or literature (multiple specialisms not required).
The successful post holder will become a member of the Norfolk & Suffolk sub-regional place group. That role will require regular travel across these two counties to meet organisations and attend events. We are looking for candidates with previous experience of place-based working.
In this relationship management role, you can expect to:
- Manage a portfolio of funded organisations through our National Portfolio of Organisations
- Maintain an awareness of their performance against their funding agreement with the Arts Council
- Depending on your specialist knowledge advise museums, literature or combined arts organisations on their resilience, how to deliver against our strategy ‘Lets Create’ and apply for grants from our funding programmes.
- Build relationships with Local Authorities, Universities, Business Improvement Districts, Cultural Leaders Groups and other stakeholders and encourage collaboration towards positive place-based working
- Read funding applications and write assessments about them to inform our decision-making panels
- Make decisions about whether to fund applications by reading applications and taking part in decision panels
- Contribute to our work across the region as part of the South East area team
- Help to improve the diversity of the projects, organisations and people we fund
To apply for this role, you will need experience of working in or with museums, combined arts or literature organisations at a senior level. You will also need to have:
- Awareness of current cultural sector trends and opportunities
- A good understanding of organisational dynamics, including business planning, financial reporting, performance management and governance
- Relationships development skills and experience with organisations at all levels and have strong communication and analytical skill to provide advice and support on artistic and operational challenges faced.
- Experience of working with a range of cross sector stakeholders towards common place-based goals
- Experience at handling challenging conversations with senior leaders
If you’re looking to make a positive impact and create change, possessing an inclusive and committed approach, you will be rewarded with an excellent salary and benefits package.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However, you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.
If there are any adjustments that would support you in your application, please do let us know when you apply. If you are disabled, Evenbreak are able to provide support with your application. For further information please visit their website here
Disabled, D/deaf and/or neurodivergent people and those from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in our workforce so we particularly encourage applications from people in these groups.
About us: Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme. To find out more, click here.
Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding - either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk
We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent. Find out what to expect with our application guidance and more about our commitment to diversity on our website here.
To view the job description please click here
To view the recruitment pack which outlines more details about working for Arts Council please click here
Job ref: SECB19
Closing date: Midnight Tuesday 17 June 2025
1st Interviews: (Virtual) Thursday 26 June and Friday 27 June 2025
2nd Interviews: (Virtual) Monday 07 July 2025
Please note: We do NOT accept CVs or cover letters as part of our recruitment process. If you require any documentation in an alternative format, please contact recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk
