Arts Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Arts Manager

 
 
The Role:

The Arts Manager will support the Head of Arts and will implement activities in country delivered through one or more of the Arts four global programmes: Art 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 region and across the global arts network, often collaborating on global programmes

Accountabilities:  

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 and opportunities for the UK Arts sector to work in and collaborate with peers in country

Leadership & management

• Provides specialist input to design Arts global programme activities that are relevant to local arts and creative industries, while managing day‑to‑day delivery in line with global programme and contract management standards.


• Works collaboratively across the Arts network matrix, using digital platforms and technological advancements to enhance efficiency, quality, and impact of programme design and delivery.


• Embeds equality, diversity and inclusion throughout programme delivery, actively contributing to and delivering the Arts EDI strategy, including mainstreaming EDI and fostering anti‑racist practices.

Strategy and/or planning

• Contributes to planning process for country arts portfolio within region


• Develop and nurtures internal relationships across Cultural Engagement 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. Uses this insight to identify new opportunities and partnerships for the British Council, and build favourability for the UK.  


• Builds and maintains a broad, diverse and dynamic network of key creative and cultural sector representatives in country, including artists, creative professionals, creative hubs, arts organisations, arts advocacy groups, intermediary and sector bodies, etc.


• Builds and maintains the sector institutional relationships that will help open doors for artistic collaboration, cultural exchange and creative economy work.


• Represents the British Council externally and internally, including communicates about country and global Arts programmes

Brand and market positioning

• Promotes the diversity and strengths of the UK arts and creative industries in‑country, clearly communicating the British Council’s value proposition and support to the UK arts sector while sustaining its reputation as a high‑quality, trusted, not‑for‑profit partner.


• Contributes to the British Council’s mission of building trust between the UK and other countries by ensuring programmes are demand‑led, market‑relevant, and aligned with British Council and FCDO objectives.


• Collaborates closely with SBU colleagues and sector experts to share market and customer insights into programme planning and develops internal and external communications that showcase impactful stories from the country Arts portfolio.

Programme management

• Works to ensure activities under the Arts global programmes are tailored to the specific needs of country, through collaboration with colleagues in globally dispersed programme teams


• 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

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

• To actively contribute to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of your own biases, and taking action to mitigate against these.  Ensuring people feel valued and are treated equitably, with support for people’s well-being and mental health.


• Understand the British Council’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and how it applies to your role and make time for learning and development relating to EDI and anti-racism.

 Role specific skills:

• Good understanding of the arts and creative industries in country


• Experience of working in or with the arts and/or creative industries sector 


• Active and up-to-date network of diverse arts sector contacts


• Active commitment to EDI 


• Understanding of programme/project governance structures


• Able to lead digital events on basic platforms (Microsoft Teams) ensuring all corporate standards are met, including those for accessibility and safeguarding 


• Language – English and Polish

Role specific knowledge and experience: 

Essential:

• Specialist 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  

Desirable:

• Understanding and appreciation of current arts trends and practices in the UK 


• Experience of working on international arts projects

Education: Graduate

Closing Date:   Applications will close at 23:59 IST/18:29 UK Time on Wednesday, 11 February 2025

You must have the legal right to work in Poland at the time of application.

Please submit your profile in English language.

Important Information:

Department: Arts (International Ops - country & regional reporting lines)

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (1 year)

Pay Band: 6

Country/Location: Warsaw, Poland

Monthly Salary Range: PLN 8200 – PLN 10045

Requirements:
Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in Poland 

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 
 
British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service.  This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email [email protected]