Senior Delivery Manager x3 (FSCF136 - FCSF138)
Senior Delivery Manager x3 (FSCF136 - FCSF138)
Contract: Fixed term until 30 June 2028, 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: £50,468 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Manchester, Brighton, Birmingham, Leeds (The role will be based in one of the office bases 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)
Introduction:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Delivery Manager to lead the delivery of strategic change projects within Arts Council England.
This is a pivotal role focused on delivering complex service redesign and transformation initiatives. You will work at the centre of multidisciplinary teams, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard, while supporting our ambition to become a more user-centred organisation.
Arts Council England invests in creativity and culture so that everyone in England can experience and benefit from it. Joining us means contributing to meaningful, values-led work that supports communities across the country.
Role Details:
As Senior Delivery Manager, you will lead the planning and delivery of complex change projects, working collaboratively across the organisation and with external partners.
You will define delivery approaches, establish Agile and Lean ways of working, and ensure projects are effectively structured to achieve their intended outcomes. You will oversee timelines, manage risks, and proactively remove blockers to maintain momentum and support teams in delivering high-quality work.
A key part of the role involves building and leading multidisciplinary teams. You will create a collaborative, motivated environment where teams are focused on priorities and able to deliver effectively. You will also support continuous improvement by encouraging experimentation, evaluating outcomes, and adapting ways of working where needed.
You will play a central role in identifying and simplifying complex organisational processes, supporting teams to implement improved approaches. You will act as a bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, managing expectations, and maintaining alignment across projects.
The role also includes responsibility for engaging and managing external suppliers where specialist expertise is required. This includes procurement, contract management, and ensuring value for money. You will contribute to programme communications, ensuring stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout delivery.
You will work closely with colleagues across IT, Finance, HR, Data, Procurement and Digital Transformation. Occasional travel, including overnight stays, may be required.
About You:
You will bring significant experience of delivering complex projects in medium to large organisations, ideally within a service design or transformation context.
You will have a strong understanding of Agile and Lean methodologies, with the ability to apply them flexibly depending on project needs. You are comfortable working in complex environments, navigating ambiguity and competing priorities with confidence.
You are an effective leader and collaborator, able to influence and motivate others without necessarily having direct line management responsibility. You build strong relationships, communicate clearly, and create an environment where teams can perform at their best.
You will have experience of managing budgets and working with external suppliers, including procurement and contract management. Strong problem-solving and risk management skills are essential, along with the ability to anticipate challenges and respond proactively.
You are committed to continuous improvement and learning, both for yourself and the teams you work with, and bring resilience and adaptability to your work.
A relevant project management qualification or Agile certification (such as ScrumMaster) would be beneficial. Experience in the public sector or similarly complex, values-led organisations would be advantageous. Delivery experience in an IT setting would be beneficial.
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
We participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they’re applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long-term condition and/ or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.
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: How to apply and recruitment selection process | Arts Council England 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: FCSF136 – FCSF138
Closing date: 17:00, Wednesday 06 May
1st Interview: (virtual) 19 and 21 May
2nd Interview: TBC
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
