Public Programmes Manager

Exeter UNESCO City of Literature; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at Exeter UNESCO City of Literature as a Public Programmes Manager. You will shape inclusive literary programmes that celebrate Exeter and Devon's rich cultural heritage. This role involves managing events, partnerships, and budgets while fostering community engagement. With flexible hybrid working options and a commitment to cultural creativity, this position is perfect for someone passionate about literature and public engagement.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working

Pension enrolment with employer contribution

28 days paid leave + 8 Bank Holidays

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in managing public-facing cultural programming.
• Experience with diverse audiences and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a calendar of public-facing literary events.
• Build partnerships with authors and cultural organisations.
• Oversee event logistics and ensure high accessibility standards.

Skills

Organisational Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Project Management

Cultural Engagement

Job description

Join Exeter UNESCO City of Literature as our Public Programmes Manager

Shape bold, inclusive programmes that celebrate Exeter and Devon as a region of stories, culture, and creativity. We are Made of Our Stories.

Location:Exeter, Devon (with hybrid working options)

Contract:0.8 (four days per week)

Salary:£30,000-£33,000 (pro rata), based on experience

Responsible to: Executive Director

Responsible for: Freelancers, volunteers, and interns as required

Closing Date:rolling. We will keep this ad open until we find the ideal candidate.

Apply:See details below.

Are you passionate about designing, shaping, and producing innovative public programs that engage a diverse array of people experientially, intellectually, and creatively? Are you just as happy meeting new people and building warm relationships as you are working independently? Exeter City of Literature (ExCoL) is seeking a visionary Public Programmes Manager to lead our current portfolio of unique programmes and create new programmes and events in the years ahead.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Design & Delivery

• Develop, establish, and manage a varied calendar of public-facing literary events and ongoing programmes aligned with Exeter City of Literature’s mission, theUNESCO Sustainable Development Goals, and the Arts Council’s Investment Principles.
• Deliver creative, memorable, and relevant programming for diverse audiences — from avid readers to first-time attendees. Existing programmes you will manage include the annualBook MarketandSlamovision, twice-monthlySilent Book Club, ongoingLittle FrawzysandBibliotherapy in the Community, andUNESCO projectsas they arise.
• Design programmes and content that is experiential, imaginative, inclusive, accessible, and responsive to community consultation and feedback.

Partnerships & Collaboration

• Build and nurture partnerships with authors, publishers, businesses, and cultural organisations, locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Seek out opportunities to co-create one-off and long-term programmes with local, national, and international partners, including our Partnership Network and other UNESCO Cities of Literature.
• Champion underrepresented voices and encourage shared ownership of literary spaces and events.
• Support the Executive Director and the wider ExCoL team in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders within and outside of Exeter.

Event Management

• Oversee and manage event logistics and competing timelines, working closely with delivery partners, venues, and contractors while jugglingconcurrentdeadlines.
• Ensure all events and programmes meet high standards of accessibility, health & safety, and safeguarding.
• Carry out risk assessments and ensure compliance with sustainability goals.

Budgeting & Funding

• Manage programme budgets, ensuring effective use of resources and alignment with funder expectations.
• Work with the Executive Director to identify and pursue additional funding sources, including grants and sponsorships.
• Report on budget performance, programme outcomes, and impact.

Evaluation & Insight

• Implement and manage evaluation processes that capture audience feedback and participation trends.
• Use data and insight to inform future programming and support continuous improvement.
• Report quarterly and annually using evaluation data, working with the Executive Director and Communications Associate to create reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, UNESCO, and funders.

Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to the organisation’s strategic vision and programming framework.
• Keep up to date with literary and cultural trends nationally and internationally to help shape forward-looking programmes.

About You

This role would suit someone with a passion for cultural engagement, a creative mind, and the organisational confidence to deliver impactful, high-quality programmes while multi-tasking a range of projects and responsibilities. You will be just as comfortable meeting and talking to new people as you are working with a high degree of autonomy and independence. You do not need to have worked in a literature-specific role before — we value transferable experience and creative yet strategic approaches to programming.

Essential skills that would help you in this role:

• Demonstrable experience in the end-to-end management of public-facing cultural programming, from designing to establishing to evaluating.
• Experience of working with diverse audiences and embedding inclusion in your practice.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with experience in budget oversight.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work within a small team and collaboratively with a range of local, national, and international partners.
• A proactive mindset with an independent approach to problem-solving while remaining cognizant of open communication with staff, stakeholders, and volunteers.
• An understanding of evaluation, reporting, and the importance of continuous improvement.
• An eye for creative opportunity and an innovative yet practical mindset to bring ideas to life.

Why Join Us?

Exeter UNESCO City of Literature is part of a global network celebrating literary culture and creativity. As part of a small, ambitious team, your ideas will shape how Exeter and Devon tells its story to the world. Benefits include:

• Flexible hybrid working for up to two days per week
• Pension enrolment 3% employer contribution from 3 months service
• 28 days paid leave + 8 days Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Office closed between Christmas and New Year
• Paid national and international travel for work purposes as required
• Training and development opportunities

For the full job description and to apply, please go to our website: https://www.exetercityofliterature.com/join-us#public-programmes-manager