Jobs for the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector in north west

This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic and respected Trust with local roots and ambitious plans for national and international cultural impact.

The CEO is the strategic leader of RBPT responsible for the management and growth of the organisation as it moves into an exciting phase with a large new project.

 The CEO will work closely with the Board of Trustees to deliver its charitable mission and long-term vision.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
 Develop and implement the Trust’s strategic plans in line with its vision and values
 Advise and support the Board of Trustees with timely, accurate information
 Lead organisational development and governance improvement
 Lead the Senior management Team supporting them to monitor and improve
performance of the Teams.
 Promote innovation while safeguarding charitable purpose and community benefit

Programme & Project Delivery
 Oversee RBPT’s core activities, including site operations and visitor engagement
 Lead and support the successful delivery of major capital and creative projects,
notably The Old Grammar
 Monitor performance, impact, and continuous improvement of the Trust.

Financial Management
 Ensure financial sustainability through effective budgeting, planning and risk
management
 Lead business development and income diversification (grants, partnerships, trading)
 Maintain and develop internal systems, compliance, policies, and reporting.

People & Culture
 Inspire, manage, and support a small team of staff and volunteers
 Be a role model to foster an inclusive, creative and collaborative workplace culture.
 Champion personal and professional development within the organisation.

Partnerships &Public Engagement
 Act as the public face of RBPT to stakeholders, funders, media, and the wider
community
 Build strong partnerships across heritage, tourism, local government, education, and
the arts
 Advocate for Richmond as a destination for culture, heritage, and imagination

Person Specification
Essential
 Proven leadership and strategic management potential at senior level, ideally within a
charity, cultural or heritage context
 Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and funding bids
 Exceptional interpersonal, communication and advocacy skills
 Experience of working with Boards or trustees in a governance framework
 Ability to build partnerships and networks across diverse sectors
 A creative and entrepreneurial mindset aligned with RBPT’s values and ambitions

Desirable
 Knowledge of heritage conservation, tourism, place-making, or the creative industries
 Experience with capital project delivery or cultural master planning
 Familiarity with rural regeneration, or community engagement
 Understanding of charity law, regulatory compliance, and impact measurement
 Educated to degree level
 Personal licence to be the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

What We Offer
 An inspiring role in a respected organisation at a pivotal point of growth
 A collaborative and supportive Board and team environment
 Opportunities to shape pioneering cultural and heritage projects
 Flexibility and a commitment to work/life balance
 Competitive terms and conditions

RBPT is a disability confident employer

The Association for Cultural Enterprises (AfCE) supports over 500 member organisations across the UK and internationally, helping the cultural sector generate earned income through commercial activity. As an Arts Council England-funded organisation, AfCE delivers sector-leading training, benchmarking, data-led insights, events, and advocacy to drive financial resilience in arts, heritage, and culture.

AfCE runs a year-round programme of live training events around the UK and Europe, as well as its signature annual Cultural Enterprises Conference and Trade Show. We have ambitions to grow attendance at these events, as well as growing our membership.

The Association is a charitable organisation, which also has a trading company, Cultural Enterprises (Trading) Limited (CET).

We are looking for a new Finance Manager to join a small, friendly, and ambitious team, to review the day-to-day processes and policies and identify opportunities to improve reporting  and make operational efficiencies. The Association is growing, so now is an exciting time to join our team and work with our members across the cultural sector.

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to provide sound financial management for the Association and CET through:

• Statutory financial reporting in line with Charity SORP/UK GAAP, including annual returns to Companies House and the Charity Commission

• Management accounting, reporting and analysis to funders, management, staff, and Trustees/Directors

• Preparation and maintenance of budgets, forecasts and plans, including cashflows and project budgets

• Supervision and control of day-to-day accounting transactions, including oversight of the finance aspects of the Apprentice role

• Oversight and implementation of robust financial systems, policies, and procedures

• Responsible for financial queries, working with the Apprentice as first point of contact for external contacts
   

Main Duties

• Supervise day-to-day accounting operations and ensure accurate financial record keeping, including coding, allocations, reconciliations, and tax accounting

• Oversee invoice generation and debt recovery processes

• Process payments and staff expenses for authorisation

• Produce regular management accounts on an accruals basis, providing interpretation and advice to the Executive Team, Finance & Risk Committee, Trustees/Directors, and funders

• Lead on budget preparation and forecasting, including project-specific budgets; monitor and reforecast as needed

• Prepare statutory accounts in compliance with charity SORP and liaise with external auditors and the Treasurer

• Manage contracts with financial services providers, including bookkeepers, auditors, banks, and investment managers

• Attend AfCE and CET Board meetings

• Fulfil company secretarial duties, including:

  • Filing confirmation statements and annual accounts for ACE and CET with Companies House and Charity Commission

  • Filing changes in Trustees/Directors

• Complete Arts Council England (ACE) returns, including provision of financial information for quarterly payment processes when required

• Negotiate and implement insurance policies including:

  • General insurance

  • Cyber security

  • Life assurance

  • Staff sickness policy

  • Trustees’ liability

  • Conference insurance

• Oversee monthly payroll, including statutory payments to HMRC and pension providers, and liaise with bookkeepers for payroll updates or changes

• Review VAT returns for accuracy before submission to HMRC
   

Note on External Bookkeepers
External bookkeepers currently provide support limited to payroll and VAT processing.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

• Self-disciplined, organised, proactive and self-motivating

• Logical and methodical approach to finance and administration

• Trustworthy, honest, reliable and conscientious

• Confident, professional, and personable, able to communicate easily within a small team and with external stakeholders
   

Professional Competencies

Essential

• Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA

• Strong knowledge of charity SORP and charity finance regulations, including VAT and Gift Aid

• Experience with Xero or equivalent cloud-based accounting systems

• Strong reporting skills

• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Experience producing management accounts and supporting senior leadership and boards

• Ability to interpret financial data for non-financial colleagues
   

Desirable

• Experience working in a small charity or business

• Understanding of the cultural or charitable sector

• Experience of remote working
   

Benefits

• Unlimited holiday policy

• 5% employer pension contribution

• Life insurance

• Flexible working arrangements by agreement with the CEO

We are an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of experience, merit and organisational need.

Join Portraits of Recovery (PORe) as Deputy Director and Drive Change Through Art

Portraits of Recovery (PORe) is a pioneering visual arts charity based in Manchester and is the UK’s only visual arts charity inspiring and supporting people affected by and in recovery from substance use. Dedicated to fostering inclusion and systemic change for individuals and communities in recovery from substance use.

Through the transformative power of contemporary visual art, we collaborate with leading artists and Recoverists to challenge stigma, open new conversations about addiction and recovery, and empower marginalised communities. As the UK’s only contemporary visual arts organisation working within this field, we are committed to ensuring that recovery is recognised as a health, social, and cultural issue, driving change through creativity and engagement.

As Deputy Director, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping PORe’s future, ensuring our long-term sustainability, and driving impactful organisational development. You will work closely with the Director & CEO to enhance our operations, administration, and financial management while leading a small team to support the delivery of our Business Plan. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape strategic business processes, contribute to PORe’s artistic programming, and play an integral role in our fundraising efforts. If you’re passionate about cultural activism and believe in the power of art to change lives, we invite you to be part of this transformative movement.

You’ll be looking after a small team, and the administrative, and financial aspects of the organisation. You’ll also be inputting into funding bids, helping with data collection, and coming up with creative commercial opportunities to help us grow. As a new company, this role would be perfect for someone ambitious, looking to help shape and grow our organisation even further.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Director & CEO in strategic, financial, and organisational development.
• Play a senior leadership role, overseeing operations, administration, financial processes, and governance.
• Manage and support a small team to effectively deliver PORe’s Business Plan.
• Ensure efficient business activities, including HR and data collection processes.
• Oversee financial management, including budget control, reporting, and compliance.
• Support delivery of public programming and contribute to project development.
• Collaborate on fundraising initiatives, including bid writing.
• Represent PORe in meetings with funders, stakeholders, and key partners.
• Manage organisational governance, including trustee meetings and board development.
• Lead risk management, policy updates, safeguarding, health & safety, and diversity initiatives.
• Oversee IT systems, digital security, and business continuity planning.
• Drive internal communication, staff recruitment, training, and performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with charity and company law, funding agreements, and legal obligations.

At PORe, we value diversity and inclusivity. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of recovery. If you meet even half of the requirements, we strongly encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective and skills could contribute significantly to our mission.

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment process. We seek to build a team that reflects the communities we serve, ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we encourage early submissions. Join us in shaping a future where art and recovery intersect to create lasting impact.

This version aligns with PORe’s advocacy-driven tone while ensuring clarity and inclusivity in the job advert. Let me know if you’d like any adjustments!

Application deadline: Friday 20 June 

Interview notification: Friday 27 June 

Planned interview date: Tuesday 7 July 

Planned start date (subject to satisfactory references): TBC 

We are seeking a dynamic fundraiser to join our ambitious and supportive team as our Head of Philanthropy. Northern Ballet is at an exciting point in our organisational journey and you will inherit a successful philanthropy programme, with a broad, engaged and growing portfolio of donors, which receives effective and valuable support from our Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.

As Head of Philanthropy, you will be an experienced manager and fundraiser, confident in securing and stewarding donors. You will devise and implement a comprehensive strategy to build income from individuals across our full suite of giving schemes.  You will personally scope, secure and steward new major gifts from individuals, support your line report and manage your own portfolio of current and prospective donors.

This role is integral to our plans to grow both income and the impact of fundraising. If you're passionate about joining a friendly, creative and dynamic working environment where everyone contributes to our success, then we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a philanthropy strategy across all levels of individual giving, to support future growth targets and deliver budgeted annual income targets.
• Be responsible for the growth, development and management of the Benefactor programme.
• Research, build and steward a pipeline of high-value prospects and to drive new activity to secure four to six figure gifts.
• Personally manage a portfolio of key relationships, developing robust supporter engagement plans to maximise opportunities for support. Meet with and cultivate new prospects and establish long-term, respectful, tailored relationships. 
• Manage and support the Philanthropy Executive in stewarding donor relationships, supporting the post holder’s ongoing development and working together to grow lower level giving as part of the overall individual giving strategy.
• Support and work in partnership with the Philanthropy Executive to plan and deliver the annual appeal.
• Work closely with the Events & Partnership Executive to create and deliver bespoke events to grow engagement with the Company and generate additional income.
• Work with the Events & Partnership Executive and Director of Development, to support the sponsorship programme, overseeing relationships with corporate sponsors to ensure that activities meet the needs of the client and maximise the potential for future giving.
• Work with the Director of Development to grow and promote legacy giving to the organisation.
• Work with teams across the organisation to develop opportunities for support, to foster open information sharing and ensure donor opportunities, acknowledgments and experiences are delivered.
• Monitor fundraising performance and budgets and provide timely reports and analysis to the Director of Development.
• Ensure income is tracked and progressed through phased budgets, prospect pipelines and moves management processes, supported by the CRM database.
• Contribute to the overall fundraising success of the Development Team, supporting opportunities for collaboration and championing a supportive, high-performing culture.
• Ensure that all activities comply with current GDPR legislation, codes of practice and ethical guidelines.

Additional criteria

• The role requires the post holder to work some evenings both in Leeds and in touring venues across the UK.

Key deliverables

By the end of the first year the successful candidate will have:

• Received an induction, training and development programme including opportunities to engage with the backstage, technical and artistic areas of the organisation
• Have become a highly valued and trusted member of the Development team, with a confident understanding of the Company, it’s work and donor base
• Drafted and made significant inroads in delivering an individual giving strategy for the Company
• Effectively stewarded and grown a portfolio of major donors, with whom you will have developed strong relationships
• Researched and cultivated new leads and have developed supporter engagement plans for existing supporters
• Have developed an effective and supportive working relationship with your direct line report
• Worked in collaboration with colleagues to grow the pipeline of new prospects and developed compelling projects and opportunities attractive to donors
• Worked to agreed KPI’s, targets and reporting schedules

What we’re looking for:

• Experience building and stewarding strong relationships with supporters, with demonstrable success in working to targets and securing significant gifts
• A warm, engaging and tactful communication style, comfortable interacting with supporters, Trustees and colleagues
• A self-motivated and tenacious fundraiser
• A strategic thinker, skilled in written and verbal communication
• Experience in using fundraising CRM software, ideally Spektrix
• Highly organised and able to effectively manage competing priorities, with excellent attention to detail
• A collaborative style of working, with experience of supporting and motivating staff and working to a shared goal
• A willingness to work out of regular hours and to travel
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to Northern Ballet’s work and values

Other Details

• Salary: £40,000 per annum plus excellent benefits
• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Closing date for applications: 4 July 2025, 17.00pm
• Interviews will take place WC 14 July 2025

We’re seeking a creative, dynamic and well-organised individual to lead on commercial event activity at Bradford Cathedral and support our broader public programming across music, arts & education – as well as our fundraising efforts. This role will also involve promoting the Cathedral to raise our profile and generate increased income through a multi-channel approach to marketing.

Bradford Cathedral stands on a site that has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,400 years – an ancient, sacred space for prayer and worship in the heart of Bradford city centre. We also attract many visitors from all over the UK and abroad who come to explore the history of this ancient building. As a venue, we offer a very special setting for all kinds of events including; concerts, music recitals, exhibitions, theatre and film. The Cathedral is a busy and exciting place to work and you will be joining us at an exciting time in our development as we continue to deliver on a new vision and strategy, and play an important part in Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture 2025. 

As Events & Marketing Manager, you will have the opportunity to help realise the full legacy potential of City of Culture. So, if you’re looking for a creative role in a creative place; a role that you can make your own, working collaboratively with a talented and supportive team in a unique environment we’d love to hear from you.

Application deadline: Monday 23rd June 2025

Interview date: Tuesday 1st July 2025

Are you passionate about music, inclusion and making a real difference?  The OHMI Trust is looking for someone to lead our Instrument Development programmes.  The heart of our mission is to make music truly inclusive for people with physical impairments and in this role you will be driving forward the development and delivery of adapted musical instruments.  It is creative, purposeful work and we are looking for someone who cares deeply about the impact that music can have.

Our team is looking for someone who lives and breathes our passion as much as we do and will put the work (and the miles) into bringing our mission to life. You will do this through:

• Developing a strategic approach in how we can increase the range of instruments and supportive apparatus available, working with instrument makers and technologists where necessary. 
• Identifying potential entrants for our OHMI Competition, which is where we challenge developers and instrument makers to adapt or create instruments that can be played without the use of one hand and arm.
• Supporting our OHMI Music-makers, a project that works with partner organisations to bring music lessons to individual students or a whole class by providing adapted instruments.
• Making sure we are communicating with our funders and Board of Trustees about our progress and impact.

And as a key member of the team, you will support us in promoting our great work at various key conferences and workshops.

No two days look the same here at the OHMI Trust, but a week could look like this:

· Arranging meetings with student groups working on instrument related engineering projects.

· Joining an online meeting to develop the strategy for overcoming a specific instrument production challenge.

· Writing an application for funding towards the next instrument/piece of equipment that is needed.

Hours: 18.75 per week, but flexible. Some weekend and evening work will be expected, as circumstances and opportunities require. This post is subject to a 6-month probation period.

Location: flexible within the UK – this is a home/remote working role but there will be travel throughout the UK and there is an advantage in being located within easy commuting distance of the West Midlands, where the rest of the staff are currently based.

Deadline for application: 5pm 4th July.  Interview date: 23rd July in person.

Accountable to: OHMI's General Manager and, through her, the Board of Trustees

What we are looking for:

Essential

• A passion for improving inclusion in music-making, including an understanding of the barriers to participation for those with physical disabilities
• Strong organisational skills, including an ability to prioritise workloads effectively, manage multiple tasks and work flexibly as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to adapt style and content to a range of different audiences and contexts
• Familiarity with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel) and an ability to build knowledge of new systems effectively
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the UK as required for the job (travel expenses covered)

Desirable

• Technical skills - experience of working with instrument makers, designers or manufacturers
• Disability confident - experience of working with people with physical disabilities

If this role sounds like a great fit for you, we would love to hear all about it!  Tell us why you are interested and what skills you can bring to this position by sending a written statement along with your CV to Rachel Wolffsohn.  We will be holding in person interviews on 23rd July in Birmingham so please hold that date in your diary. 

You can find out more about us and our work on our website and if you have any questions about the position, please get in touch with Rachel.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and as such commit to offer an interview to all disabled candidates who meet the Essential criteria.

Do you have experience in generating and sustaining charitable giving from individuals and nurturing a Friends scheme in the Arts education sector? Are you passionate about choral singing and its power to change the lives of children and young people and can you successfully advocate on our behalf to potential major donors?

The primary focus for the new role is to generate sustainable charitable giving from individuals, maintaining and growing our Friends memberships and developing significant income from major donors. We will also welcome input on stewardship of trusts and foundations if this is also your area of expertise.

We are a leading choral singing organisation and run residential summer courses for children and young people. Our artistic director, Ralph Allwood, founded the organisation 45 years ago, since when over 10,000 young people have benefited from our life-changing courses. Nowadays, around one third of students receive generous bursary support to attend a course and we also work with a range of partner organisations to encourage even more young people from diverse backgrounds to take part in our choral singing courses. We want to secure the future of the organisation and increase the number of students we can support by significantly growing our individual  giving.

We are looking for an experienced fundraiser to work up to 2 days per week on a freelance basis to help us move up a gear or two in terms of our fundraising, specifically to develop private giving from our extensive alumni network and the many successful individuals who feel music education at a young age made them the person they are today.

We have an office in central London but the job can be done remotely with occasional meetings with the General Manager, either in person or virtually.

Key information

Position: Head of Development, Friends and Major Donors

Reports to: General Manager

Key relationships: Artistic Director, Operations Manager, Assistant Director Rodolfus Choir, Communications Manager & Artistic Adviser, Chairman and Trustees

Location: Working from home with occasional visits to the office at King’s Place, London and meetings with donors c. weekly

Main goal: To launch our 45th anniversary year development appeal and manage fund raising through individual giving, Friends memberships and legacy donations and pledges, growing our charitable income in line with our strategy. 

About this role:

The main duties and responsibilities for the Heads of Development role are as follows:

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

· Maintain and build relationships with our donors, and identify new individuals who would like to see the Rodolfus Choral Foundation thrive

· Use our extensive alumni list to source and maintain donors

· Use contacts from the artistic director and trustees to generate new donors

·  Ensure that our top and potential donors are well looked after and researched, passing on key information to the Artistic Director and, where appropriate, arranging meetings between him and our donors

· Organise and co-host special donor events in unique venues

· Plan and help organise membership events for donors

· Help establish a legacy giving scheme for Rodolfus

· Have overall responsibility for reaching individual giving targets

· Ensure that data is accurately kept in our database in line with GDPR, and is harnessed to support our fundraising efforts

STRATEGIC PLANNING & REPORTING

· Develop a five-year Fundraising Strategy

· Set ambitious but achievable targets for each year, within the overall Rodolfus budget

· Contribute new ideas and find new opportunities for fundraising

· Produce quarterly fundraising updates for the Trustees

· Produce a fundraising report for the annual accounts, identifying strengths, weaknesses and areas for development in the Fundraising Strategy

TRUSTS AND GRANT-MAKING BODIES

· Liaise with the General Manager to ensure a coordinated fundraising plan and targets, in keeping with the artistic vision for Rodolfus

· Proof and submit applications and be the point of contact for Trusts and Foundations (this work is currently supported by the General Manager and a fundraising consultant)

GENERAL

· Attend Team and Board meetings as required

· Be a passionate advocate at all times for Rodolfus

· Adhere to all legal requirements relating to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as well as all other company policies and procedures

· Create a positive work environment, underpinned by the organisation’s values

· The list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time by the Trustees.

· The appointee may be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Board.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who:

· Is able to foster excellent relationships with major donors

· is positive, proactive, hard-working, innovative and ambitious

· is numerate, analytical, organised and has attention to detail

· is friendly, approachable and collaborative

· happy working in a small but dedicated team

· happy to travel regularly when required for donor and team meetings

Essential Criteria:

· excellent interpersonal skills

· experience of developing positive relationships with donors

· proven success in securing major donations

· experience of prospective donor identification and initial approach

· outstanding communication skills, both spoken and written

· experience in budget management

· good attention to detail

· excellent personal organisation and time management

· experience of working efficiently and effectively on their own as well as in a team

· understands the arts sector

Closing date: Midday on 23rd June 2025

Interviews: First round interviews will be held online on w/c 30th June 2025

Second round interviews will be held w/c 7th July 2025

The Director of Finance and Resources is responsible for managing the charity’s finances efficiently and accurately, ensuring that all financial activities are carried out in compliance with statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements. Playing a key role in strategic planning, including planning for future budgets and allocation of resources in collaboration with the CEO and Board, the Director of Finance & Resources also leads on HR and IT for the Trust and supports the implementation of good governance practices. The role oversees the production of monthly management accounts, line-managing the Finance Officer who takes care of day-to-day financial functions. You will provide financial recommendations to the Finance & Audit Committee (which meets quarterly), ensuring that the Trust’s financial practices adhere to statutory regulations and legislation. The Director of Finance & Resources also leads on the Trust’s annual audit and production of Annual accounts, filed with the Charity Commission. For this role you will need to have strong experience in finance, accounting or a related field, demonstrating excellent analytical skills and numerical proficiency alongside capability to think strategically and facility to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Everyone associated with the Trust works remotely and has always done so. Our team, Board, volunteers and partners are UK-wide and so meetings and events are held regularly in London and across the country. You will report to the CEO and line manage the Finance Officer. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will regularly collaborate with our Board of trustees and, particularly, the Chair and members of the Finance & Audit Committee.

Some core hours will be required but a degree of flexible working will be possible. Some travel will be expected in order to attend in-person meetings. The Trust is committed to each team member’s professional development and offers regular opportunities to undertake formal and informal training.