Interim Director NW and Combined Arts (NMF1-2)
Interim Director NW and Combined Arts (NMF1-2)
Contract: Fixed term/secondment opportunity until June 2027, 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: £61,927 per annum Grade A plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Manchester (The role will be based in Manchester; 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). If you are only interested in the Combined Arts responsibilities on 0.5 FTE, other bases may be able to be considered.
Role details - This is an exciting interim opportunity to play a senior leadership role at Arts Council England, helping to deliver our next NPO round.
As Interim Director, North West and Combined Arts, you will contribute to the leadership of our work in the North and provide national policy leadership for Combined Arts. The role brings together two important areas of responsibility: senior area leadership in the North West, including leading the team based in Manchester, and national leadership of the Combined Arts team. This role offers the opportunity to influence and support a wide-ranging, dynamic and important part of the cultural sector and help shape our decisions on the next national portfolio.
As part of the North Area leadership team, you will share responsibility for the successful delivery of Arts Council England’s national strategy locally. You will lead the team formally based in Manchester and act as a senior Arts Council contact in the North West for a range of stakeholders and external partners.
You will provide leadership, support and advice to senior relationship managers, including on escalated National Portfolio Organisation, investment and stakeholder issues. You will also contribute to the development and delivery of North area plans, helping to make sense of national objectives locally and ensuring effective delivery across the area.
Alongside this, you will provide national leadership for Combined Arts. You will work closely with colleagues across the country, including other discipline and policy leads, to shape and deliver a consistent national approach. You will convene expertise and knowledge internally and externally, gather intelligence from the sector, and support the development of relationship managers working in this discipline area. You will be expected to play an active role in the ‘portfolio building’ stage of the NPO28+ investment process.
The role involves working in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment, building strong relationships across Arts Council England and with external partners. You will need to bring strong leadership, strategic thinking, excellent communication skills and the ability to influence credibly at senior levels.
This opportunity may suit someone who is able to undertake the full breadth of the interim role, or someone with strong experience and interest in either the North West area leadership responsibilities or the national Combined Arts leadership responsibilities. We welcome applications that explain clearly which option you are applying for and how your skills and experience align with the relevant responsibilities.
About you - You will bring experience of leading senior teams and working effectively in a matrix structure. You will be able to demonstrate credible leadership, strong strategic judgement, and the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.
You will have a good understanding of the cultural sector in England and the current challenges and opportunities it faces. You will be a confident communicator, able to act as an advocate and spokesperson for Arts Council England, and able to influence a wide range of stakeholders, including at senior levels.
For the Combined Arts element of the role, you will need the ability to acquire and apply knowledge of policy and practice in the Combined Arts field, and to act as a credible national leader for Arts Council England’s work in this area.
For the North West area leadership element, you will need to be able to provide visible and supportive leadership to the Manchester-based team, contribute to area planning and delivery, and build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders across the North West.
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: NMF1-2
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 6 September 2026
Interview: (virtual) Wednesday 16 September 2026
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
