RicNic

Arts Council England; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

RicNic is seeking a Forge Strand Lead to develop and deliver the Forge Creative Careers programme in the Midlands. The role focuses on training, mentoring, and hands-on experience to help young people explore creative pathways.

You will lead sessions, recruit and train facilitators, and help grow activities as the programme expands. The role requires a strong facilitator with sector knowledge, excellent communication, and robust safeguarding practices.

Qualifications

• Experience of creative practice within the arts and culture sector.
• Strong sector knowledge across multiple disciplines and an ability to 'keep a finger on the pulse' across the creative industries for sector data, news, opportunities, and signposting.
• Experience of working with community groups, schools, young people, or intergenerational audiences.
• Creative facilitation or workshop delivery experience.
• Budget management and administrative skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management tools.
• A proactive and flexible approach to problem-solving with the ability to work independently.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the development and delivery of RicNic's Creative Careers Programmes, including group training, 1:1 support and attendance at regional careers fairs.
• Support the recruitment and training of RicNic facilitators to also deliver these sessions, including overseeing scheduling of staffing, preparation for sessions, acting as the main point of contact.
• Contribute to RicNic's online creative careers presence, such as through writing blog posts or running online masterclass sessions.
• Seek out and build relationships across the creative and education sectors, and with local authorities,
• Promote RicNic's paid schools workshop packages to schools, colleges, and other education settings.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of participants who engage with RicNic through Upshot CRM.
• Manage referrals into and out of RicNic's creative careers programmes
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding best practice throughout all activity.

Skills

Arts & culture experience

Sector knowledge

Community engagement

Workshop facilitation

Budget management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Project management tools

Problem-solving

Flexible hours

Safeguarding & inclusion

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management tools

Job description

Job Summary

RicNic's Forge programme provides creative careers training for teens and young adults in the Midlands. We are seeking a Forge Strand Lead to deliver and grow this programme over the next 18 months. You will be joining our friendly, small staff team at a crucial time in our charity's development.

Job Description

RicNic's FORGE programme supports young people and adults aged 13+ to explore and access creative careers. Forge offers training, mentoring and hands‑on experience supporting participants to enter the creative industries and to develop their transferable skills.
As this programme continues to expand, we are now seeking an excellent Forge Strand Lead to join our team. We're looking for a passionate individual with a wide range of creative and cultural sector knowledge who can support us as demand for this work grows across the Midlands and further afield. Our ideal candidate will combine facilitation experience and strong administrative skills, with experience of working with young people. If you're committed to opening doors, offering guidance, and helping young people navigate creative pathways, this could be the role for you.
This role is funded with support from the National Lottery.
Part-time fixed term contract to September 2028 with potential to extend.

Job Requirements

Experience of creative practice within the arts and culture sector.
Strong sector knowledge across multiple disciplines and an ability to 'keep a finger on the pulse' across the creative industries for sector data, news, opportunities, and signposting.
Experience of working with community groups, schools, young people, or intergenerational audiences.
Creative facilitation or workshop delivery experience.
Budget management and administrative skills.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management tools.
A proactive and flexible approach to problem‑solving with the ability to work independently.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
A strong understanding of safeguarding, diversity and inclusion.

Job Responsibilities

1. Lead on the development and delivery of RicNic's Creative Careers Programmes, including group training, 1:1 support and attendance at regional careers fairs.

2. Support the recruitment and training of RicNic facilitators to also deliver these sessions, including overseeing scheduling of staffing, preparation for sessions, acting as the main point of contact.

3. Contribute to RicNic's online creative careers presence, such as through writing blog posts or running online masterclass sessions.

4. Seek out and build relationships across the creative and education education sectors, and with local authorities,

5. Promote RicNic's paid schools workshop packages to schools, colleges, and other education settings.

6. Support the monitoring and evaluation of participants who engage with RicNic through Upshot CRM.

7. Manage referrals into and out of RicNic's creative careers programmes

8. Ensure compliance with safeguarding best practice throughout all activity.

• Job Title: Programme Lead: RicNic Forge (Creative Careers)