Exchange Programme Manager

Somerset House; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (3 days in the office)

Mental health support

Eye tests and glasses

Employer pension contributions

Season ticket loan

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Somerset House is seeking a Programme Manager to lead its flagship talent development programme for underrepresented creative entrepreneurs and founders in London. You will design, adapt and deliver a framework that blends practical business support with access to networks and opportunities, while coordinating workshops, masterclasses and alumni engagement.

The role emphasizes strong relationship-building, cross-team collaboration, and contributions to a vibrant, inclusive community that

Qualifications

• Managing programmes combining strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• Designing inclusive, purpose-driven programmes that create meaningful opportunities for diverse and underrepresented communities to grow, develop and thrive.
• Successful development and optimisation of operational systems and processes.
• Working across multiple teams and influencing without direct authority (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and management of the programme across multiple cohorts.
• Develop systems, process and frameworks for participant journeys from recruitment and onboarding through to alumni engagement.
• Oversee budgets, timelines and operational delivery, including workshops, masterclasses, advisor support, and networking.
• Build and maintain relationships with key programme stakeholders.
• Shape and manage the programme’s evaluation framework and translate findings into reports and impact stories.

Skills

Relationship-building

Project management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Events management

Adaptability

Job description

Department: Residents Team (creative community)

Location: London

Application Deadline: 29 November 2026

Compensation: £38,000 - £42,000 / year

Description

The Programme Manager will lead Somerset House's flagship talent development programme for underrepresented creative entrepreneurs and founders. Working at the heart of the Exchange community, you will design, adapt and deliver a programme framework that combines practical business support with meaningful access to knowledge, networks, expertise and opportunity. You will oversee the programme’s strategic planning, logistics and delivery, while building strong relationships with participants, partners and stakeholders to ensure founders are supported to grow with confidence and purpose. More than a programme manager, you will be a connector across the Somerset House ecosystem. You will create opportunities for business founders to engage with the wider resident community of artists, makers, freelancers, and creative enterprises, as well as with our inclusive talent programmes for young people, our public programme, and our broader network of industry partners and collaborators. By connecting people, programmes and communities, you will help founders develop sustainable businesses while strengthening Somerset House's wider talent development infrastructure. The successful candidate will combine strong experience in programme strategy and management with a generous, collaborative approach to building communities, developing partnerships and managing strategic relationships. Highly organised and guided by relationships, they will be motivated to help creative founders build ambitious, resilient businesses that make an impact. Please see the job pack for more information on Exchange and the role.

What we are looking for

Programme Strategy, Management & Delivery

• Lead the strategic planning and management of the programme across multiple cohorts
• Develop systems, process and frameworks for participant journeys from recruitment and onboarding through to alumni engagement
• Responsibility of programme budgets, timelines and operational delivery, including overseeing the delivery of workshops, masterclasses, advisor support, and networking opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with key programme stakeholders
• Shape and manage the programme’s evaluation framework, aligned with the Paul Hamlyn Evaluation Study, establishing clear measures of success and monitoring progress against agreed outcomes.
• Lead the evaluation of programme impact and translate findings into compelling reports, case studies and impact stories that demonstrate outcomes, capture learning and inform the programme’s ongoing development
• Lead on programme marketing activities and communications across all platforms
• Develop a strong exit and aftercare strategy, providing participants with clear next steps, continued support and access to an engaged alumni network beyond the programme
• Own the programme’s operational and administrative systems continuously seeking opportunities for improvement, automation, and cost-effectiveness
• Line-manage the Programme Coordinator & Producer who is responsible for the day-to-day operations and delivery of the programme

Community Development

• Build a connected and collaborative founder and creative entrepreneurial community with frameworks and process that ensure an equitable and inclusive collaborative environment
• Identify and create development opportunities for peer learning, collaboration and knowledge exchange internally and beyond Somerset House
• Identify opportunities for participants to showcase their work, increase visibility and expand their networks
• Develop progression routes both within Somerset House, externally, and with wider Somerset House networks
• Cultivate an active alumni ecosystem that contributes to future cohorts and wider organisational activity

Ecosystem Building & Cross-Departments Collaboration

• Develop opportunities to connect and embed the programme in Somerset House’s wider supported programmes to enable the long-term growth, sustainability, and programme alignment with the organisational objectives
• Build strong relationships across all Somerset House teams, including Public Programme, Studios, Exchange, Inclusive Talent Engagement, Live Events, Makerversity, Commercial and Development
• Identify and develop opportunities for collaboration between participants and the wider Somerset House creative community of artists, makers, and creative businesses
• Champion cross-departmental working with colleagues to develop joint programming and events that benefit founders while enhancing Somerset House's overall offer
• Use programme insights and share learning to inform future talent development strategies and partnerships across Somerset House
• Advocate for participant needs and identify opportunities to improve organisational accessibility and inclusion
• Act as a credible and compelling ambassador for the programme, representing it publicly at events, meetings, presentations and other external forums.
• Develop relationships with prospective funders and partners, presenting the programme’s vision, impact and case for support and contributing to organisational funding pitches and proposals.

Skills, knowledge & expertise required for the role

Experience

• Managing programmes combining strategic thinking with practical delivery
• Designing inclusive, purpose-driven programmes that create meaningful opportunities for diverse and underrepresented communities to grow, develop and thrive.
• Successful development and optimisation of operational systems and processes
• Building collaborative and impactful communities, networks or member-based programmes, with the ability to connect people, ideas, and opportunities
• Successfully working across multiple teams and influencing without direct authority
• Working within arts, culture or creative industries (desirable)
• Delivering programmes that support entrepreneurs, creatives, freelancers or small businesses
• Working within complex, multi-stakeholder organisations (desirable)

Skills

• Exceptional relationship-building, networking, and stakeholders’ management skills
• Exceptional project management skills
• Strong budget management and finance
• Strong IT literacy and easily adaptable to new technology
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Events management
• Flexible and adaptable to change and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship and business support (desirable)
• Existing networks within London's creative and cultural sectors (desirable)

Benefits to working at Somerset House

Mental Health & Wellbeing

• Access to our external Employee Assistance Programme (CiC) for free 24/7 confidential advice and support, including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year where needed
• Mental health support and guidance from our in-house trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Hybrid working based on having 3 days in the office per week (pro rata if part-time)*
• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses
• Trust life insurance scheme
• We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers

* dependent on the needs of the role

Holiday

• Enhanced annual leave – 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Birthday leave - additional day leave
• Celebration day - to celebrate anything of your choice

Other Leave

• Sick leave – 20 days full pay, followed by 20 days half pay (pro rata & following 3 months service)
• Emergency dependent care – option to use 25% of paid sick leave for emergency care of a dependent (pro rata & following 3 months of service)
• Enhanced maternity pay

Benefits

• 8% employer pension contributions, no employee contribution required*
• Option for salary sacrifice
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to Work scheme

*following 3 months of employment

Discounts, offers and free stuff

• The list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites
• Discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants
• Discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants
• Discounts to local leisure centres

*following 3 months of employment