Community Engagement Practitioner

Local Government South East; Eastleigh; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25-28 days annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

Discounted parking

Job summary

Eastleigh Borough Council in Eastleigh is seeking a passionate Community Engagement Practitioner to join our Arts & Culture team. The role is full time across The Point & The Berry Theatre with 37 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.

The successful candidate will lead planning, delivery and evaluation of a diverse programme, work with schools, artists and communities, and help grow participation and impact across the borough.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in arts participation, education or community engagement.
• Safeguarding training or equivalent
• Strong understanding of arts participation and community engagement practice
• Knowledge of Arts Council England principles and funded programme delivery
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Strong commitment to inclusivity, access and safeguarding

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, delivery and evaluation of a diverse activity programme.
• Work with artists, schools, community groups and partners to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
• Collaborate to deliver youth theatre, workshops, school engagement and learning opportunities.
• Support activity funded by Arts Council England and measure participation impact.

Skills

Arts participation

Community engagement

Communication

Project management

Safeguarding

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Education programmes

Education

Relevant degree in arts/education or related

Tools

Budgeting tools

MS Office

Job description

• Full Time
• Eastleigh
• Posted 4 days ago
• £36,007 per annum (Band 5) £ / Year
• Closes: 4 November 2026

Eastleigh Borough Council

Community Engagement Practitioner

The Point & The Berry Theatre, Eastleigh

37 hours a week (including evening and weekends work)

Full Time, Job Share and Part-Time applications considered

Salary £36,007 per annum (Band 5)

Do you want to make a difference?

Are you passionate about the power of arts and culture to transform lives? Do you thrive on bringing people together, developing creative opportunities, and building meaningful community connections?

We’re looking for an ambitious and inspiring Community Engagement Practitioner to join our Arts & Culture team at an exciting time of growth and change.

This is a brand-new role, created to drive forward our participation, education and community engagement programmes. You will play a pivotal role in shaping how communities engage with creativity across The Point, The Berry Theatre and our wider borough, helping us deliver ambitious projects that are inclusive, impactful and sustainable.

About The Role

As our Community Engagement Practitioner, you’ll lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of a diverse programme of activity, from youth theatre and artist-led workshops to community projects, schools’ engagement and creative learning opportunities. You’ll work closely with artists, schools, community groups and partners to ensure our programmes are welcoming, accessible and inspiring for everyone.

You’ll play a key role in delivering activity supported by Arts Council England, helping us achieve our artistic ambitions whilst growing participation and strengthening community impact.

About You

We’re Looking for someone who believes passionately in the value of arts, culture and creativity. The ideal candidate will be able to build strong relationships with schools, community organisations, artists and participants.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in arts participation, education or community engagement.
• Safeguarding training or equivalent
• Strong understanding of arts participation and community engagement practice
• Knowledge of Arts Council England principles and funded programme delivery
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Strong commitment to inclusivity, access and safeguarding
• Experience delivering arts participation or education programmes
• Experience managing budgets and freelancers
• Understanding of safeguarding and inclusive practice Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks

The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check.

About Us

This is a unique opportunity to make your mark. You’ll have the chance to influence and develop our approach to community engagement from the outset, helping to shape the future creative offer of our venues and the communities we serve.

You’ll Join a Passionate Team Committed To

• Creating outstanding cultural experiences.
• Increasing participation in arts and creativity.
• Supporting young people, artists and communities to thrive.
• Building a sustainable and inclusive future for arts and culture in Eastleigh.

Our benefits include

• 25-28 days annual leave (dependant on local government continuous service)
• Flexible working arrangements and ability to accrue up to 2 days additional leave per month (subject to operational requirements – pro rata for part time staff)
• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
• Places Leisure, Eastleigh – 30 % off Full Membership
• Confidential Employee Advice and Support Programme
• Excellent town centre working environment close to public transport links
• Discounted parking

For An Informal Discussion Please Contact

Louisa Milburn by emailing [e-mail]

Closing Date: 4 November 2026, 5PM

Interview Date: 12 November 2026