Learning and Participation Project Manager

UK Centre for Carnival Arts; Luton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community arts organization in Luton is seeking an ambitious Learning and Participation Project Manager. This full-time role involves supporting the Carnival Arts programme and building partnerships with local schools and community groups. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management and be passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion within the arts. The application deadline is 12pm on January 16, 2026, with interviews scheduled for January 21, 2026.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Experience in project management within the arts or non-profit sector.
• Ability to engage and work with diverse community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of the Arts Council Funded Carnival Arts programme.
• Foster and sustain partnerships with local authorities, schools, and community groups.
• Oversee income generation, marketing, evaluation, and reporting.

Job description

Learning and Participation Project Manager

UKCCA is seeking an ambitious and collaborative Learning and Participation Project Manager to join the team at the Luton Carnival Arts Development Trust (known as UKCCA).

The postholder will work closely with the Executive Director, Executive Producer and Arts Team to support and enable the growth, development and delivery of the ambitions of the organisation. This includes successful delivery of the Arts Council Funded Carnival Arts programme, which includes the annual Luton Carnival and National Children’s Carnival Week, alongside development of new activities, particularly those which facilitate the engagement of schools, young people and community partners.

UKCCA is continuing to deliver work to support the UK carnival industry and deliver key services in Luton, where the organisation is located. We continue to broaden our programme and ambitions. As a key member of the team – working closely with the Executive Director – the postholder will work collaboratively with the Arts team and lead the development of relationship with key stakeholders to further progress UKCCA’s business delivery.

Working with the Executive Director the postholder will be key in consolidating business delivery which particularly includes fostering and sustaining productive partnerships with a range of agencies, to include local authorities, schools, community groups and leaders to ensure there is an understanding of the work being delivered by UKCCA, and effective engagement across communities. The role also includes responsibilities for income generation, marketing, evaluation and reporting.

The postholder will maintain and nurture a positive working culture that is ambitious, positive, welcoming, friendly and inclusive. The postholder will be an ambassador for our organisation and encourage engagement with our services.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, from programming work with, by and for Lutonians and carnivalists across the UK, through to how we build partnerships and support others to engage in the carnival arts. We are committed to our organisation reflecting and celebrating Luton and the wider UK’s incredible diversity in the carnival arts across ethnicity, age, gender identity, disability and socio-economic background. We therefore especially welcome applications from people with lived experience of the communities that we work with.

Further information, job description and person specification can be downloaded from our website: www.carnivalarts.org.uk (vacancies tab).

How to Apply

Please email your application to: [e-mail]

To submit an application, please send:

• 1) An up-to-date CV, with details of two referees to be contacted for references;
• 2) A completed Equality Monitoring Formand;
• 3) A supporting statement outlining your interest and why your experience makes you an excellent fit for the role.

Please comply with all three application requirements listed above.

Deadline for applications: 12:00 (12pm), Friday 16 January 2026

Interviews: Interviews will take place on 21 January 2026.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Project Management and Information Technology
• Non-profit Organizations