Change Programmes Lead

Federation of Scottish Theatre; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Federation of Scottish Theatre is seeking a Change Programmes Lead to shape and deliver strategic programmes across Scotland’s performing arts sector. You’ll work with members, partners and colleagues to identify opportunities for positive change and turn ideas into practical action.

You’ll balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, coordinating across organisations to ensure ambitious outcomes are achieved and programmes grow to meet evolving needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in programme development or delivery in the arts or cultural sector.
• Ability to build partnerships and coordinate across organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Change Programmes to strengthen Scotland’s performing arts sector.
• Develop practical responses and plans to deliver impact across partnerships.

Job description

We are looking for a new Change Programmes Lead to join the FST Team!Scotland’s performing arts sector is full of talented people, ambitious organisations and inspiring ideas. It also faces significant opportunities and challenges that no single organisation can address alone. Increasingly, progress depends on bringing people together, building partnerships and turning shared ambitions into practical action.That’s why this role matters.We’re looking for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking, partnership-building and practical delivery to help shape programmes that strengthen Scotland’s performing arts sector. Someone who can understand complex challenges, build trusted relationships, develop realistic plans and ensure ideas are followed through to meaningful outcomes.The Change Programmes Lead plays a key role in helping FST turn ideas into action.Working closely with members, partners and colleagues, you’ll identify opportunities for positive change, develop practical responses and lead programmes that strengthen Scotland’s performing arts sector.Some programmes are already well established and ready to grow. Others are emerging ideas that require research, partnership development and careful planning. This role therefore combines strategic thinking with practical delivery, helping shape both current and future areas of work.Current programmes span areas such as workforce development, mentoring, accessibility, environmental sustainability, organisational resilience and leadership development. While every programme is different, they all share a common purpose: helping Scotland’s performing arts sector become stronger, more connected and better equipped for the future.This isn’t simply a project management role. It’s about understanding complex challenges, bringing people together, building trusted relationships and creating the conditions for meaningful change. You’ll work across organisations, balancing different perspectives while maintaining a clear focus on shared ambitions and tangible outcomes.

Current Programmes & Priorities

The Change Programmes portfolio continues to evolve in response to member needs and emerging opportunities. Some of the current programmes and workstreams you’ll help lead and develop include:

• Bursaries & Professional DevelopmentLeading FST’s professional development bursary programme while exploring opportunities to strengthen its impact, reach and long-term sustainability.
• Mentoring & CoachingRefreshing FST’s mentoring offer through reconnecting previous participants, piloting new models and lighter-touch support surgeries and peer learning.
• Workforce Development & TrainingDeveloping and delivering programmes around technical skills, leadership, sustainability and Fair Work through partnerships and targeted professional development opportunities.
• Access & InclusionWorking with Birds of Paradise, Creative Scotland and sector partners to support the future development of Access Scottish Theatre, Scotland’s engagement with the UK-wide All-In programme and wider accessibility infrastructure.
• Emerging Needs & OpportunitiesWorking with FST members and partners to identify new priorities, develop collaborative initiatives and secure partnerships and funding that support the future development of Scotland’s performing arts sector.