Arts Project Manager

Role Purpose: The Arts Manager will implement activities in country delivered through one or both of the Arts global programmes: Arts in Action and Creative Growth. They may work with a small team in country and manage sector partner and stakeholder relationships. They will also build relationships and work closely with their peers in other countries and across the global arts network, often collaborating on global programmes. Role Context: Cultural Engagement (CE) is one of two global strategic departments within the British Council. It brings together our work in Arts, Education, English & School Education and research. With a workforce of approximately 1000 globally and an income in 2024/25 of £200 million CE delivers impact through research and insight, sector engagement, policy dialogue and a mixed portfolio of commercial and Grant and Partnership Funded (GPF) work globally. CE delivers much of its work through a suite of global programmes/ programmatic frameworks aligned to the British Council s strategic outcomes. Our Arts teams in the UK and in our global network of offices, work together and with the arts and culture sectors to achieve significant impact and change by finding new ways of connecting and seeing each other through the arts and contribute directly to peace and prosperity. Our work is delivered through two global programmes. Art in Action connects UK and international artists and creative organisations, encourages innovative collaborations and supports them to access new markets and audiences around the world. We enable creatives to play a part in addressing global challenges and support under-represented groups to be heard. Creative Growth supports the UK and countries around the world to unlock inclusive and sustainable economic growth and innovation through advocacy, sector development and showcase programmes for the creative and cultural industries. Accountabilities/

Responsibilities

• Sector/subject expertise Uses their own knowledge of the country s arts and creative industries, intelligence and insight from other sector partners, to support the implementation of global arts programmes that meet the specific needs of the country while also providing value to UK arts and creative industry organisations
• Through ongoing relationships with Global arts colleagues, builds and maintains good understanding of UK arts and creative industry sector priorities
• Identifies opportunities for the UK Arts sector to work in and collaborate with peers in country Leadership & management Provides specialist input and design to help ensure activities under the Arts global programmes are relevant to the Arts and creative industry sectors in country
• Actively collaborates with colleagues in Arts global teams on programmes
• Manages Arts activities day-to-day ensuring global standards on programme and contract management are achieved
• Actively works to mainstream EDI and become anti-racist in our cultures and practices within our organisation and in our programmes
• Strategy and/or planning Contributes to planning process for country arts portfolio within region Develops and nurtures internal relationships to ensure strategic objectives are aligned, understood and achieved Considers the role of digital products, services and channels in optimising the impact and sustainability of the portfolio, working with regional marketing and digital colleagues
• Relationship & Stakeholders Maintains partner relationships relevant to the Arts, and wider cultural sectors, to maintain a strong understanding of relevant themes and issues in the arts and creative industries
• Builds and maintains a broad, diverse and dynamic network of key creative and cultural sector representatives in country
• Brand and market positioning Promotes the diversity of the UK arts and creative industries sector in country Ensures British Council s value proposition and support to the UK arts sector in country is clear and communicated and that our reputation for quality and as a valued not-for-profit partner remains high and contributes to our mission
• Contributes to the development of internal and external communications materials to highlight impactful stories from the country Arts portfolio Programme management Manages finances of small projects and activities in the Arts portfolio and will flag up issues promptly Manages issues with internal and external partners and stakeholders and escalates them when necessary Holds delivery partners, team members and consultants to account for agreed deliverables Has responsibility for delivering the project management plan Where applicable has responsibility for drawing up contracts with partners, working with specialist colleagues where needed Manages procurement, grants management and due diligence on arts activities Responsible for project/programme management reporting

Desired Candidate Profile

Degree and/or equivalent experience Project management or equivalent qualification or equivalent work experience Good knowledge and understanding of current trends and practices in at least one sector of the arts and creative industries in the country Experience of working on national arts/ creative industry projects Understanding and appreciation of current arts trends and practices in the UK Experience of working on international arts projects Written and verbal proficiency in English and Arabic required.