Programme Director - Fabric of Bolton

The Octagon Theatre; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Octagon Theatre seeks an inspiring Programme Director to lead the Fabric of Bolton programme, shaping Bolton's cultural future with local communities and partners. You will provide strategic direction, oversee governance and fundraising, and ensure delivery and impact across public, voluntary and cultural sectors.

You will build collaborations with artists, communities and funders, drive audience participation, and champion inclusive cultural development across the region.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of leading and delivering complex cultural, arts, community or place-based programmes.
• Strong programme management and organisational skills.
• Experience of developing successful partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• A track record of community engagement, outreach and community development.
• Knowledge and experience of governance and organisational management.
• Experience of securing funding and delivering successful fundraising activity.
• Strong strategic planning and problem-solving skills.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and impact reporting.
• Excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and community-centred practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall programme management for Fabric of Bolton.
• Develop, manage and strengthen partnerships with cultural organisations, community groups, public sector bodies and funders.
• Lead engagement and outreach activities to ensure broad and inclusive community participation.
• Champion community development through creative and cultural opportunities.
• Oversee programme budgets, financial planning and resource management.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities, developing successful fundraising applications and partnerships.
• Ensure effective governance, compliance and risk management arrangements are in place.
• Monitor programme performance and lead evaluation activity to demonstrate impact and outcomes.
• Produce reports for funders, stakeholders and governance groups.
• Act as an ambassador for the programme at local, regional and national levels.

Skills

Leading complex programmes

Programme management

Partnerships & stakeholder relations

Community engagement

Governance & organisational management

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Monitoring & evaluation

Communication & leadership

Equality, diversity & inclusion

Job description

Programme Director - Fabric of Bolton

Help Shape Bolton's Cultural Future

We are seeking an inspiring and experienced Programme Director to lead the ambitious Fabric of Bolton programme.

This is a unique opportunity to drive a significant cultural initiative that celebrates Bolton's people, places, heritage and creativity. Working collaboratively with artists, communities, cultural organisations, funders and key stakeholders, you will provide strategic leadership and ensure the successful delivery, impact and legacy of the programme.

About the Role

As Programme Director, you will lead the strategic development and delivery of Fabric of Bolton, ensuring that the programme delivers meaningful outcomes for local communities while enhancing Bolton's cultural profile regionally and nationally.

You will develop and nurture partnerships across the cultural, public, voluntary and community sectors, ensuring that local people are at the heart of the programme. You will also oversee programme governance, financial management, fundraising activities and impact reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall programme management for Fabric of Bolton.
• Develop, manage and strengthen partnerships with cultural organisations, community groups, public sector bodies and funders.
• Lead engagement and outreach activities to ensure broad and inclusive community participation.
• Champion community development through creative and cultural opportunities.
• Oversee programme budgets, financial planning and resource management.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities, developing successful fundraising applications and partnerships.
• Ensure effective governance, compliance and risk management arrangements are in place.
• Monitor programme performance and lead evaluation activity to demonstrate impact and outcomes.
• Produce reports for funders, stakeholders and governance groups.
• Act as an ambassador for the programme at local, regional and national levels.

About You

You will be a collaborative and strategic leader with a passion for culture and communities. You will bring:

• Significant experience of leading and delivering complex cultural, arts, community or place-based programmes.
• Strong programme management and organisational skills.
• Experience of developing successful partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• A track record of community engagement, outreach and community development.
• Knowledge and experience of governance and organisational management.
• Experience of securing funding and delivering successful fundraising activity.
• Strong strategic planning and problem-solving skills.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and impact reporting.
• Excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and community-centred practice.

Why Join Us?

Fabric of Bolton offers an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference to Bolton's cultural landscape and communities. You will play a key role in shaping an ambitious programme that brings people together, celebrates local identity and creates meaningful opportunities for participation and creativity.

If you are passionate about using culture and the arts to create positive social impact and have the skills and experience to lead a high‑profile programme, we would love to hear from you.