Borderlands

Arts Council England; England; Remote; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Arts Council England is seeking a Programme Director to lead Borderlands CPP in the South Tees region, guiding its second phase with a focus on collaboration, culture and community impact.

You will direct creative projects, ensure governance and financial accountability, and work with partners to deliver high-quality, locally rooted, nationally significant programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the second phase of Borderlands CPP programme, developing collaborative creative projects that celebrate our cultures, share our stories and animate our places.
• Provide clear strategic and operational leadership with accountability for creative direction, programme delivery, governance, reporting, financial management, and funder confidence in line with Arts Council England requirements.

Job description

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of England's most ambitious place-based cultural programmes.

We are looking for a leader who shares our commitment to co-creation, cultural democracy and social impact, bringing ambition, creativity and strategic expertise as well as an ability to effectively manage relationships and people, to guide Borderlands into its next chapter.

Borderlands is now entering an important new phase. Building on the achievements of Phase 1, Phase 2 (2026-2029) begins a new investment period supported by Arts Council England, Tees Valley Combined Authority, North Star Housing and Public Health South Tees.

This next phase provides an opportunity to refresh Borderlands' strategic direction, strengthen organisational systems, and shape a compelling programme rooted in the needs, ambitions and creativity of local communities.

As we move into the next phase of the programme, we are seeking an exceptional leader to build on strong foundations and help shape an ambitious future for culture across South Tees.

If you believe culture can help communities thrive and are inspired by the opportunity to work alongside residents, artists and partners to shape the future of South Tees, we would love to hear from you.

Job Requirements

Borderlands is the Creative People and Places programme for Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland, funded by Arts Council England and delivered in partnership with local communities, artists, organisations and stakeholders.

The Borderlands Programme Director will lead and direct this second phase of Borderlands Creative People and Places (CPP) programme, developing collaborative creative projects that celebrate our cultures, share our stories and animate our places.

The role provides clear strategic and operational leadership, with accountability for creative direction, programme delivery, governance, reporting, financial management, and funder confidence in line with Arts Council England requirements. The postholder will ensure that artistic excellence, ambition, experimentation, and action-based learning are central to the programme, delivering high-quality, community-led work that is locally rooted and nationally significant.

Applications close at 23:59 on the closing date.

Borderlands is the Creative People and Places (CPP) programme for Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland. We are one of a number of national projects primarily funded by Arts Council England, with the aim of more people choosing, creating and taking part in brilliant creative experiences.