Ark Schools

Arts Council England; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Arts Council England is seeking a part-time project manager to lead a culture education programme across 48 Ark Network schools. You will collaborate with schools, arts partners and writers to deliver school-based projects and festivals, ensuring inclusive access to culture.

The role focuses on partnerships, budgets, timelines and evaluation, with flexible patterns and a required Monday presence. Strong stakeholder engagement is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering school-based cultural education projects.
• Strong budget management, timeline oversight, and stakeholder engagement.
• Right to work in the UK and ability to work with multiple schools.

Responsibilities

• Manage partnerships between cultural organisations, artists and our schools.
• Project manage school-based projects, mini festivals and workshops in schools across our regions.
• Lead Ark Drama Teachers Network, coordinating CPD opportunities and cross-school events.
• Share cultural education opportunities across the wider network.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and logistics to ensure successful delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, teachers, school leaders and cultural organisations.
• Lead programme-wide data and evidence collection for evaluation purposes.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Experience in educational settings

Job description

Mon, 19 Oct 2026\">published - Mon, 19 Oct 2026

Job Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to manage and deliver a programme of high quality cultural education across art, dance, drama and design for the 48 schools in the Ark Network.

Job Description

The programme aims to ensure all pupils experience great cultural education, and this role will play a key part in delivering partnership projects across our schools as well as contributing to networkwide initiatives.

We are seeking a highly skilled and organised project manager with experience producing school based curriculum and enrichment arts opportunities and working confidently with a wide range of stakeholders. You will demonstrate an understanding of both school environments and the cultural sector, and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues in each. Strong budget management, timeline oversight, and a commitment to inclusive practice are essential to ensuring all children can access and benefit from our cultural offer.

The position is part-time, equating to approximately 3 to 3.5 days per week. There is flexibility around the working pattern and which days are worked, although Mondays will be a required working day.

This role is due to close on Monday 2nd November at 23.59pm.

Job Requirements

• Right to work in the UK
• Experienced in working in or with schools in the field of cultural education
• Strong knowledge of educational settings and arts landscapes
• Proven experience in project or programme management, ideally within arts, cultural or education settings
• Experience delivering performances or artistic programmes with young people
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work across multiple schools and cultural partners
• Understanding of school environments and awareness of the cultural sector
• Confidence managing budgets, timelines, and logistics
• A clear commitment to inclusion and ensuring that all children can access cultural learning opportunities
• Relational approach able to communicate with children, teachers and artists
• Able to adapt to different settings and be flexible to accommodate different needs in different settings
• Ability to see the larger picture and communality across multiple projects to make a coherent programme

Job Responsibilities

• Manage partnerships between cultural organisations, artists and our schools
• Project manage school based projects, mini festivals and workshops in schools across our regions using a place based and school centred approach
• Project manage a pilot project with arts partners working in SEND specialist spaces in three of our schools in West London
• Project manage a programme with three schools and professional writers to develop and write scripts for three new Year Six shows
• Lead the Ark Drama Teachers Network, coordinating CPD opportunities and cross-school events
• Share cultural education opportunities across the wider network
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and logistics to ensure successful delivery
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, teachers, school leaders and cultural organisations
• Lead programme-wide data and evidence collection for evaluation purposes

We started with one school, in 2006

We’ve always believed that, with the right approach, every school has the potential to succeed - even those in the most challenging circumstances. Nothing should be a barrier to children achieving.