Senior Programme Manager (Part-time Contract)

MAGIC ME; London; Hybrid; GBP 27,000; Part time

Job summary

A community arts organization in London seeks a Senior Programme Manager for a 15-month contract. The role demands leadership in a dynamic program fostering intergenerational connections. Key responsibilities include overseeing projects, mentoring team members, and cultivating partnerships. A salary of £44,000 per annum (pro-rata) for 3 days a week, plus additional benefits, is offered.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

3% pension contribution

Flexible working options

Weekly wellbeing meetings

Qualifications

• Experience in participatory/community arts required.
• Proven track record in socially engaged practice with direct line management.
• Ability to manage changing environments effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the creative programme ensuring high quality delivery.
• Line-manage Project Managers and mentor team members.
• Implement project evaluation frameworks and practices.
• Nurture key partnerships and manage artist relationships.

Skills

Programme leadership

Community engagement

Strong communication

Job description

Overview

Senior Programme Manager (Part-time Contract) The Role:

This is an exciting 15-month contract opportunity for a Senior Programme Manager with experience in participatory/community arts who is passionate about driving impactful change and fostering intergenerational connections within an evolving, inclusive organisation. You will be instrumental in ensuring the seamless continuity and high-quality delivery of our respected intergenerational and care home arts programme during a period of organisational evolution.

At Magic Me, we believe in the power of diverse talent to drive innovation and create a powerful organisational culture. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from minoritised communities and disabled candidates, as we strive to build a team that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. Although we welcome applications from everyone, we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who identify as men as well as those from the Bengali community who are currently underrepresented on our team.

We also welcome local candidates with knowledge of Tower Hamlets and surrounding boroughs.

Role Details

• Location: Bethnal Green, E2, East London. Hybrid working negotiable (the role requires office working for key delivery activities and supporting programme team colleagues).


• Salary: £44,000 per annum, pro rata (equivalent to £26,640 for 3 days per week).


• Reporting to: Creative Director (Co-CEO).


• Contract Duration: 15 Months (January 2026 - March 2027).


• Working Hours: 3 days per week (21 hours).

Who we're looking for

You are an experienced programme leader, comfortable taking comprehensive ownership of an artistic programme that includes multiple projects across diverse contexts. Driven by a strong passion for co-creation, you bring significant expertise from senior project management or producer roles within the participatory/community arts sector. You excel at cultivating strong, authentic relationships with community and non-arts organisations, artists, and participants. With a proven track record in socially engaged practice and direct line management, you are adept at navigating changing environments and possess excellent communication skills that build and maintain vital connections. Your dedication to Magic Me’s mission and the transformative power of intergenerational arts is clearly evident.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Programme oversight & leadership: Provide oversight of the full year creative programme, ensuring high quality delivery and the effective integration of individual projects. Collaborate on the design and management of the overall programme budget and manage staff and artist capacity.


• Team leadership & mentorship: Line-manage two Project Managers, fostering a supportive environment and prioritizing their development. Provide direct mentorship to a designated Project Manager as part of Magic Me's internal succession plan for the SPM role.


• Project practice & frameworks: Take responsibility for implementing effective ways of working for the Programme Team. Oversee project evaluation and ensure evaluation practice adheres to the ACE Impact & Insight framework.


• Partnership & artist relationships: Nurture key partner and artist relationships and oversee the Project Managers' portfolios of key relationships. Identify, engage, and establish potential arts and non-arts partners and participants for the 26/27 programme.

You can find full details of the role and its responsibilities in the job pack.

About Magic Me

At Magic Me, we envision a world without ageism, where everyone can express their creativity and reach their full potential. Our mission is to inspire change through impactful art, fostering connections between generations. For over three decades, we've pioneered intergenerational arts practices, creating innovative projects in Tower Hamlets and leading the way in creative care home work across London and Essex.

Why now is the perfect time to join

This is a truly exciting moment to join Magic Me as we are embarking on our next stage of evolution, transitioning to a dynamic Co-CEO model. This Senior Programme Manager role is essential in supporting this transition, particularly by nurturing our programme team and contributing to our internal succession plans. You'll be involved in flagship projects and actively participate in strategic discussions to help shape our new three-year strategy.

The Offer

• Salary: £44,000 per annum, pro rata (equivalent to £26,640 for 3 days per week)


• Holiday: 25 days and bank holidays (pro-rata) + days between Christmas & New Year.


• Other benefits: 3% pension contribution, flexible and hybrid working negotiable, and weekly 1:1 wellbeing meetings. We may also offer an additional week of leave during August pending results of a recent trial in 2025.

Application process

Applications are provisionally open until 9am on Monday 20th October, however, we will close the application form as soon as we have received enough applications. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

• First-stage interviews will take place online on Monday 10th November.


• Second-stage interviews will take place in person at our Bethnal Green office on Monday 17th November.


• The planned start date is the week beginning 5th January 2026.

To apply, head to the "join our team" page on our website to complete your application. Please submit an updated CV, our online form, and an equal opportunities form.