Senior Community and Memberships Manager | Full-time, Permanent

Community sits at the heart of everything we do.

This role leads our work to connect, support and grow the national craft community through Crafts Council Membership and the Craft UK network.

You will shape spaces where makers, creative businesses and craft champions can connect, learn and thrive. Working closely with colleagues and partners across the sector, you will ensure that our membership programmes respond to the real needs of the craft community and create meaningful opportunities for people to engage with craft.

You will bring strong community instincts, an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing creative practitioners and small creative businesses, and a passion for the transformative power of craft.

As a senior leader within the organisation, you will guide a talented team to deliver a compelling programme of activity, events and partnerships that strengthen the value of membership, deepen engagement and grow participation.

Through insight, listening and collaboration, you will ensure that our work remains relevant, inclusive and ambitious — supporting makers today while helping shape the future of the craft sector.

Role Focus

This role combines community leadership, programme development and income generation.

You will:

• Build and nurture a thriving national craft community
• Lead the strategic development of Crafts Council Membership and Craft UK
• Grow membership participation, reach and income
• Champion inclusive practice and remove barriers to engagement
• Strengthen the voice and visibility of craft through partnerships and advocacy

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the craft sector and understands the realities of building a creative career or business.

You will be a natural community builder with the ability to bring people together, build trust and create opportunities for collaboration.

You will also bring:

• Experience developing and growing membership, community or network-based programmes
• Strong understanding of the creative industries or craft sector
• Experience managing teams and supporting colleagues to deliver excellent work
• The ability to develop partnerships and collaborative initiatives
• Confidence working with data and insight to inform strategy and programme development
• Experience delivering programmes or initiatives that generate income or financial sustainability
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in programme design and delivery

Contract and Hours - Permanent, full-time, 36.25 hours per week. Role to commence from Summer 2026 onwards.

A typical working day is 9.15-5.30pm, including a lunch break (unpaid). We support flexible working and part-time arrangements where it is appropriate for the role.

We promote hybrid working with three days per week worked at our office and gallery for full-time staff, and two days per week office and gallery working for part-time staff.

Wednesday is a whole team office and gallery day when staff meetings take place.

Salary - £39,000 to £50,000 gross per annum, dependent on experience and based on full-time working (pro rata for part-time / annualised working).

Location - Crafts Council Office and Gallery is based on the Pentonville Road in Islington, London, with some hybrid / home working.