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1x Relationship Manager, Diversity and 1x Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement, ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
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Relationship Manager x 2
(specialist sector knowledge of Diversity or Communities & Engagement)
Contract Details
Contract 1: Relationship Manager, Diversity (MBN6)
- Permanent
- Full Time
- Working 35 hours per week
Contract 2: Relationship Manager, Communities & Engagement (MN15)
- Permanent
- Full Time
- Working 35 hours per week
The Arts Council recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and we welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility.
Salary and Benefits
- Salary: £38,689 per annum
- Benefits:
- Final salary pension scheme
- Generous annual leave
- Flexible and hybrid working
Location
- Birmingham or Nottingham
- The roles can be based in either our Birmingham or Nottingham offices; 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.
About the Role
We are looking for candidates with specialist sector knowledge of Diversity or Communities & Engagement. We are also looking for candidates with previous experience of place-based working.
Key Responsibilities
As a Relationship Manager, you will act as the primary conduit and point of contact between regularly funded organisations and the Arts Council. You will:
- Manage a portfolio of funded organisations in the Arts Council’s National Portfolio
- Take part in decision-making processes through written appraisals and participation in decision-making panels
- Provide funding advice to organisations and individuals
- Analyse financial information, identifying investment risks, and providing feedback to applicants
- Share expertise internally and externally
- Contribute to our work across the region as part of the Midlands Area team
About The Relationship Manager, Diversity Role
As the Relationship Manager, Diversity (Midlands), you will act as the area lead for your cross-cutting specialism and work closely with the relevant national discipline team. You will:
- Share specialist knowledge and insights with other relationship managers across the organisation
- Participate in cross-discipline meetings beyond your immediate specialism
- Lead on diversity-related development work
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What you will bring to the role:
- Diversity & Inclusion Expertise: Proven experience in delivering projects or initiatives that directly improved outcomes for diverse or underrepresented groups.
- Sector Insight: A deep understanding of the structural barriers affecting diverse freelancers, practitioners, and cultural organisations.
- Collaborative Leadership: An ability to act as an area lead for your specialism, working closely with the national discipline team to share knowledge and support awareness of current issues.
- Strategic Alignment: Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills to effectively share insights with Relationship Managers and members of the Midlands Management Team, enabling data-driven decision-making and alignment with strategic priorities.
About The Relationship Manager, Communities And Engagement Role
As the Relationship Manager, Communities and Engagement (Midlands), you will be a key member of the Midlands Communities & Engagement team and work closely with the national team. You will:
- Be the Relationship Manager for a mixed portfolio of organisations across the Midlands
- Monitor and support the progress of Creative People and Places programmes (CPPs)
- Support the development of shared awareness and understanding of best practice in community engagement
- Identify individuals and organisations requiring support to apply to our funding programmes
What you will bring to the role:
- Specialist Expertise: Proven experience in delivering projects or initiatives that directly improve outcomes for underrepresented groups and communities.
- Sector Insight: A deep understanding of the structural barriers to access for communities across the Midlands.
- Collaborative Leadership: An ability to act as an area lead, working closely with the national team to share knowledge and support awareness of current issues.
- Strategic Alignment: Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills to effectively share insights with Relationship Managers and members of the Midlands Management Team, enabling data-driven decision-making and alignment with strategic priorities.
Additional Requirements
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- 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
- Strong communication and analytical skills 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
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. We welcome applications from people in underrepresented groups, including disabled, D/deaf and/or neurodivergent people and those from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse backgrounds.
Benefits
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.
Code of Ethics
Employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment, or loan funding. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund.
Recruitment Process
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.
Application Details
- Job ref: MBN6 and MN15
- Closing date: Monday 10th August 2026, 12 noon
- 1st Interviews (Online): 26th/ 27th August 2026
- 2nd Interviews (In person – in Nottingham or Birmingham TBC): 4th September
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
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