Learning and Participation Programme Manager, ENO Engage

English National Opera Limited; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

English National Opera Limited is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to join ENO Engage in Greater Manchester. You will lead planning and delivery of participation programmes, working with schools, community organisations and freelance artists.

You will report to the Head of Learning and Participation, manage projects from concept to evaluation, ensure inclusion and impact, and travel regularly between London and Greater Manchester.

Qualifications

• Experience of developing, delivering, monitoring and evaluating engagement, participatory arts, health and wellbeing or learning programmes.
• Experience of working with an arts engagement team.
• Relevant experience of working in arts organisations and classical music, with an understanding of how they plan, function and deliver high-quality experiences for audiences.
• Strong organisational, project management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A collaborative, proactive and adaptable approach, with strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge and understanding of the arts/music landscape in Greater Manchester, with strong existing relationships and networks across the sector, and the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience working with vulnerable, underrepresented and diverse communities, with a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in arts and cultural practice.
• Experience contributing to funding applications and funder reporting.
• Experience managing project budgets and resources effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of safeguarding practice and commitment to creating safe, inclusive environments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small team
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly between London and Great Manchester.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of a diverse portfolio of participation programmes, developing strong partnerships with schools, community organisations, cultural institutions, local authorities and freelance artists.
• Manage projects from concept through to evaluation, ensuring programmes are impactful, inclusive and aligned with ENO's strategic objectives.
• Work closely with the Head of Learning and Participation to shape innovative projects that respond to local needs and build community connections.
• Collaborate with an arts engagement team and external partners to deliver high-quality experiences for audiences.
• Contribute to funding applications and funder reporting to support programme delivery.

Skills

Organisational skills

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Job description

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum

Location: Greater Manchester (2-3 days per week), with the remainder of the week worked from home or the office. Regular travel to London will be required. 28 hours per week, which can be worked across 4 or 5 days.

Contract: 12 Month Contract

We're seeking an experienced and proactive Programme Manage to join ENO Engage.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is committed to increasing access to the arts and creating meaningful opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with opera, music and creativity. Working closely with the Head of Learning and Participation, you will play a key role in shaping innovative projects that respond to local needs, build community connections and support ENO's long-term ambitions in Greater Manchester.

The successful candidate will lead the planning and delivery of a diverse portfolio of participation programmes, developing strong partnerships with schools, community organisations, cultural institutions, local authorities and freelance artists. They will be responsible for managing projects from concept through to evaluation, ensuring programmes are impactful, inclusive and aligned with ENO's strategic objectives.

Requirements:

• Experience of developing, delivering, monitoring and evaluating engagement, participatory arts, health and wellbeing or learning programmes.
• Experience of working with an arts engagement team.
• Relevant experience of working in arts organisations and classical music, with an understanding of how they plan, function and deliver high-quality experiences for audiences.
• Strong organisational, project management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A collaborative, proactive and adaptable approach, with strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge and understanding of the arts/music landscape in Greater Manchester, with strong existing relationships and networks across the sector, and the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Experience managing relationships with artists, facilitators, creative practitioners, partners and other external stakeholders.
• Experience of working with vulnerable, underrepresented and diverse communities, with a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in arts and cultural practice.
• Experience contributing to funding applications and funder reporting.
• Experience contributing to funding applications and funder reporting.
• Experience managing project budgets and resources effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of safeguarding practice and commitment to creating safe, inclusive environments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small team
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly between London and Great Manchester.

Application deadline: 26 November 2026

Reasonable adjustments: If you require any reasonable adjustments for the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]

English National Opera is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we strive to create an inclusive working environment that reflects the diverse communities we serve. As we work to address underrepresentation in our workforce, we particularly encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups and communities to apply, including those from global majority backgrounds and/or with protected characteristics, including race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and religion and belief. We will provide appropriate support for candidates with access requirements if they identify as disabled. This includes during the application process and through candidate assessment stages.