Freelance Audio Associate ( 2,000 Fixed Fee). Application Deadline: 30th September 2026 at 5:00 PM

Arts Council England; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 1,800 - 2,200; Part time

Job summary

Arts Council England–funded Mancunianity Flows project seeks an experienced Audio Associate to lead all aspects of audio production for six public walks along the River Irwell in Manchester and Salford. You will record, edit and deliver participant-created stories, ensuring high-quality playback for audience experiences in December 2026.

The freelance role covers workshop recording, oral histories, and archival preparation, requiring strong technical skills, storytelling sensibility, and

Qualifications

• High-quality audio recording skills.
• Audio editing and post-production experience.
• Experience with spoken-word content, interviews or oral histories.
• Ability to manage audio files and backup systems.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with participants and artists.
• Availability between October and December 2026.
• Podcast, documentary or audio storytelling experience.
• Sound art or audio theatre experience.
• Experience working with older people or community groups.
• Experience of live playback systems.
• Knowledge of Manchester and Salford communities.

Responsibilities

• Record participant stories, conversations and oral histories.
• Support workshop recording sessions.
• Edit participant-generated audio content.
• Create master playback files for public presentation.
• Prepare backup audio systems and archives.
• Manage wireless headset systems during public events.
• Deliver technical operation for six public audio walks.
• Troubleshoot audio and playback issues.
• Support accessibility through clear and high-quality audio delivery.
• Create final project audio files for legacy archive use.
• Work closely with the Producer and Actor-Musician throughout project delivery.

Skills

Audio production

Storytelling

Community engagement

Audio recording

Audio editing

Oral histories

Spoken-word content

Project coordination

Wireless headset systems

Tools

Wireless headset systems

Job description

Fri, 04 Sep 2026">published - Fri, 04 Sep 2026

Job Summary

Arts Council England-funded participatory audio-theatre project seeking an Audio Associate to record, edit and deliver participant-created stories for six public audio walks along the River Irwell. Strong audio production, storytelling and community engagement skills required.

Job Description

Fee: £2,000 fixed freelance commission
Guaranteed working commitment: 70 hours in total between October and December 2026.
The hours cover workshop recording, oral-history capture, audio editing, file and backup preparation, rehearsals, technical testing, management and hygiene of the 44-unit wireless headset system, and technical delivery of six public audio-theatre walks across 18-20 December 2026.

Contract Period: October 2026 to February 2027

Mancunianity Flows: Walking the First Modern City is an Arts Council England-funded participatory audio-theatre project working with older residents from Manchester and Salford to create an immersive public walking experience exploring memory, belonging, storytelling and the River Irwell.

We are seeking an experienced Audio Associate to join the creative team and lead all aspects of project audio production.

Working alongside the Lead Artist/Producer and Actor-Musician, you will support participants through story recording sessions, capture oral histories and creative material, edit participant-generated content and prepare audio assets for public performance.

You will be responsible for creating reliable and accessible playback systems for six public audio-theatre walks taking place between 18 and 20 December 2026. Audiences will experience participant stories through a wireless headset system, making audio quality central to the success of the project.

The role combines technical expertise with creativity, collaboration and sensitivity when working with community participants. We are keen to hear from sound artists, podcast producers, audio documentarians, audio theatre practitioners and creative producers with experience of storytelling-based work.

Mancunianity Flows places older residents at the centre of cultural production and seeks to create a lasting legacy through a public audio archive, printed publication and educational resources.

Job Requirements

We are looking for an experienced audio practitioner with strong technical skills and an interest in community-engaged creative work.Manchester and Salford, including workshops at Aviva Studios (M3 4JQ) and activity along the River Irwell corridor.

High-quality audio recording skills
Audio editing and post-production experience
Experience working with spoken-word content, interviews or oral histories
Ability to manage audio files and backup systems
Strong organisational and problem-solving skills Ability to work collaboratively with participants and artists Availability between October and December 2026

Podcast, documentary or audio storytelling experience
Sound art or audio theatre experience
Experience working with older people or community groups
Experience of live playback systems
Knowledge of Manchester and Salford communities

Job Responsibilities

Fee and Contract

Fixed freelance fee: £2,000
Freelance contract
October 2026 to February 2027

Responsibilities

Record participant stories, conversations and oral histories
Support workshop recording sessions
Edit participant-generated audio content
Create master playback files for public presentation Prepare backup audio systems and archives Manage wireless headset systems during public events Deliver technical operation for six public audio walks Troubleshoot audio and playback issues Support accessibility through clear and high-quality audio delivery Create final project audio files for legacy archive use Work closely with the Producer and Actor-Musician throughout project delivery

• Job Title: Freelance Audio Associate ( 2,000 Fixed Fee). Application Deadline: 30th September 2026 at 5:00 PM

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal interview during the week commencing 5 October 2026.

For an informal conversation or to request the information in another format, contact Nakib Narat at [e-mail] or 07538 599049.