Relationship Manager, New Technology and Innovation (MDN3F-1)

THE ARTS COUNCIL OF ENGLAND; Manchester, Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Final salary pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Hybrid and flexible working

Job summary

The Arts Council of England is seeking a Relationship Manager, New Technology & Innovation to drive digital arts planning and funding across the North. You will manage a portfolio of funded organisations, advise on grants, and support decision-making as part of a dynamic team.

Based in Manchester or Leeds with hybrid working, you’ll engage with local stakeholders and contribute to innovative arts projects that use new technologies and data insights.

Qualifications

• Experience in digital arts or digital inclusion is a plus.
• Ability to build relationships and influence across organisations.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of funded organisations and provide funding advice on Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants and other funds.
• Support decision‑making processes by writing assessments and sitting on funding panels.
• Take a place‑based, creativity‑led approach to cultural development with local stakeholders in targeted places.
• Help improve project diversity by giving feedback to applicants and supporting first‑time applicants.
• Assess financial information, identify risk, and provide feedback on artistic plans.
• Help build a thriving digital arts ecology and digital skills offer in your area.

Job description

Relationship Manager, New Technology and Innovation (MDN3F-1)

Contract: Fixed term, 21 Hours per week until 31 January 2028 (Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility)

Salary: £38,689 (pro rata) per annum Grade C plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.

Location: Manchester or Leeds (The role will be based in Manchester or Leeds; however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1-2 days a week)Relationship Managers are also expected to be present and active in the sector across the North

We are on a mission to make sure that the arts and cultural activities we fund are inclusive and that everyone in England has the chance to lead creative and cultural lives no matter what their background. Music, theatre, galleries, dance, digital arts, literature, museums, libraries – it’s about access to all of these and more. Can you help us?

This role - Relationship Manager, New Technology & Innovation - would suit someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about the arts and cultural sector, with either experience of digital arts, increasing digital and/or data skills, or digital inclusion. Digital Arts is the first new artform Arts Council England has introduced in decades, and the first time anywhere in the world that a public arts funder has taken thisstep.At its core, Digital Arts is creative practice where digital technology fundamentally shapes how work is conceived, made, and experienced.

This is a busy and exciting time to join as we undertake the significant National Portfolio Investment Programme. This post will be a key part in supporting the north team over the assessment process, with the opportunity to contribute your expertise and develop your understanding of Arts Council grant-making.

Here are some of the things you could expect to do in this role:

• Manage a portfolio of funded organisations and giving funding advice to individuals and organisations, about Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants and other funds
• Support our decision‑making processes, writing assessments and sit on funding panels
• Take a place‑based, creativity‑led approach to cultural development by working with local stakeholders in targeted places.
• Helping to improve the diversity of the projects we fund by giving feedback to applicants and looking to support a wide range of first‑time applicants
• Assessing financial information, identifying risk, and providing feedback on artistic plans
• Help build a thriving digital arts ecology and digital skills offer in your area

As a Relationship Manager, New Technology & Innovation, it is essential that you will be able to demonstrate an in‑depth knowledge of Digital Arts and the arts and culture sector’s use of new technologies. This could include experience in one or more of the following areas: the use of new and emerging technologies (e.g. XR, AI, decentralised technologies, spatial audio etc.) in the creation of new work, the production and distribution of content on more mature technologies (podcasting, radio television, film), digital and data skills development or the use of digital technology in community/place‑making or digital inclusion.

You’ll have a focus on building, empowering and enduring relationships with a portfolio of funded organisations, and helping to develop the sector in the north to maintain its vibrant, innovative and diverse range of opportunities.

You will also have a good understanding of the cultural sector in England and of the current challenges and opportunities facing it, and excellent skills in collaboration, influencing and advocacy, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You’ll be comfortable working with data and taking an evidence‑based approach to developing new initiatives.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However, you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.

If there are any adjustments that would support you in your application, please do let us know when you apply. If you are disabled, Evenbreak are able to provide support with your application. For further information please visit their website here

We participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they’re applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long‑term condition and/ or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.

Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme.

Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding - either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact [e-mail]

Job ref: MDN3F-1

Closing date: 09:00am 26 th October

1st Interviews:(virtual) 17 th November

2ndInterviews:(in person at Manchester office) 3rd December

[e-mail]