Senior Talent Pathways Manager - Inclusive Talent Engagement

Somerset House; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent cultural institution in London seeks a Senior Talent Pathways Manager to lead youth engagement initiatives and enhance talent pathways. The successful candidate will manage internal teams and external partnerships to create equitable programs aimed at young people aged 16-30. This role emphasizes innovative approaches to support and develop talent within the creative industries, fostering inclusivity and addressing barriers faced by underrepresented communities.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced annual leave

Pension contributions

Qualifications

• 3+ years of management experience in creative programs.
• Experience collaborating with grassroot organizations.
• Commitment to equity and access, applied in practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of youth-focused programs.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure program accessibility.
• Manage and develop the department's Coordinator and Administrator.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

BA/BS in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Talent Pathways Manager - Inclusive Talent Engagement

Application Deadline: 26 January 2026

Department: Inclusive Talent Engagement

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Pooja Sitpura

Compensation: £41,000 - £43,000 / year

Description

We are looking for people to join our fantastic team at Somerset House Trust. As the home of cultural innovators, the Trust connects creativity and the arts with the broader society.

Somerset House pursues a ‘Step Inside, Think Outside’ spirit and is born from the creative community we nurture - the experience and perspectives we host across background, age, race, and stage, and the intersections and crossovers we encourage.

Somerset House seeks a seasoned professional for the new role of Senior Talent Pathways Manager, to lead and ensure continuous improvement of its Entry Route programmes for young people ages 16 -30.

Working closely with internal teams across Somerset House, external partners, and community organisations, you will develop approaches to strengthening talent pathways between programmes, establishing accessible routes from Entry Routes career programmes into supported initiatives for those already in the creative industries, such as the Black Business Residencies, Exchange Bursaries, Studios Bursaries and Makerversity’s Makers with a Mission, and Makers Under 30.

The Senior Talent Pathways Manager will design, deliver and monitor a new initiative for 16–30-year-olds, taking inspiring and skilled facilitators, artists and creatives from within the Somerset Houses’ creative eco-system, off‑site to reach young people where they are. You will also shape initiatives offering bursaries and grants to support young people take their practice and skills to the next level.

The role will hold diversity and equity as core values in their practice and be able to demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for delivering relevant, innovative and inspiring programmes to support the next generation, leveraging the creative community at Somerset House as a source of inspiration and as a tool for social change.

What we are looking for:

This pivotal role will work closely with the Head of Inclusive Talent to deliver the Inclusive Talent Engagement strategy. The successful candidate will maintain high standards in programme delivery, monitoring and evaluation and serve as a thought partner, capably supporting the Head and team as required. You will line manage the department Coordinator and Administrator providing effective leadership to ensure the quality delivery of all Entry Routes programmes. This role requires exceptional project management skills and extensive experience and knowledge of organising and delivering creative participation programmes with young people within a community context.

Key responsibilities

Strategy, Programme Delivery

• Work in close partnership with the Head of Inclusive Talent to drive forward the delivery of the Inclusive Talent Engagement strategy and the department’s vision and long‑term goals.
• To lead the design, planning, delivery and evaluation of a new community‑focused programme, prioritising engagement with young people not currently served by existing activities.
• Initiate the grants and bursaries offering, supporting our community of young people to take their skills to the next level.
• Proactively collaborate with other teams to ensure pathways between programmes are both visible and accessible.
• Ensure entry routes programmes continues its work towards producing equitable, meaningful and impactful programmes for young people, advocating for underrepresented voices throughout.
• Cultivate and leverage strategic relationships with key stakeholders internally and externally, pursuing new community partnership and collaboration opportunities.
• Maintain principles of evaluation throughout Talent Pathways to ensure quality impact measurement.

Team Leadership and People Management

• Lead on supporting the team to deliver the vision and ambitions by distilling short-, medium- and long‑term goals, into clear objectives enabling the team to deliver departmental ambitions.
• Provide effective line management for the Coordinator and Administrator as well as freelance creatives, ensuring motivation, appraisals, and ongoing training and development.
• Provide operational, contractual, financial, risk assessment, and safeguarding support as required.
• Anticipate and address delivery‑related risks and challenges, ensuring proactive resolution and clear communication throughout.
• Contribute to consistently high‑quality work, nurturing best practice and committing to learning‑led continuous improvement.

Finance, Operations and Marketing

• Ensure all processes are rigorous and transparent, maintaining comprehensive oversight of departmental trackers for programme planning, finances, and evaluation, ensuring accurate data and timely reporting.
• Working with the Audience and Experience team ensure effective communications for all programmes, using data and insight to maximise reach and actively engage young people from diverse backgrounds.

Skills, knowledge & expertise required for the role:

Experience

• Has 3+ years’ management experience, delivering high-quality creative, learning and participation programmes for young people in an arts and culture context.
• Has considerable experience of delivering equitable and accessible programmes externally in collaboration with grass roots charities and small organisations working with young people.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, anti‑racism, access and inclusion, with practical experience applying these principles through co‑creation and participatory practices.
• Is experienced in evaluation and reporting, using data for evidence‑led programme development and impact measurement.
• Experience of budget management and all related administration with ability to highlight issues and propose logistical, operational and financial solutions.
• Strong communications, with an ability to build and nurture strong working relationships with a diverse range of people, both within the organisation and externally.
• Line management experience, with the ability to inspire, appraise, and develop staff.
• Able to work collaboratively, as a cohesive part of the team supporting and assisting in the shape and form of ideas, initiatives and projects that are not your own.

Skills

• Highly organised, with demonstrable administration, analytical and IT skills (Microsoft Office and other planning, budgeting and booking systems).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Maintains up‑to‑date knowledge of the creative industry landscape, youth workforce development, and policy contexts relevant to talent development and equity.
• Understands the challenges faced by young people who experience multiple barriers and employs trauma‑informed, culturally responsive approaches.
• Is a collaborative team player with strong problem‑solving skills and a flexible, pragmatic approach with a commitment to continuous learning and reflective practice.

Benefits to working at Somerset House

Mental Health & Wellbeing

- Access to our external Employee Assistance Programme (CiC) for free 24/7 confidential advice and support, including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year where needed

- Mental health support and guidance from our in‑house trained Mental Health First Aiders

- Hybrid working based on having 3 days in the office per week (pro rata if part‑time)*

- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses

- Trust life insurance scheme

- We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers

* dependent on the needs of the role

Holiday

- Enhanced annual leave – 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)

- Birthday leave - additional day leave

- Celebration day - to celebrate anything of your choice

Other Leave

- Sick leave – 20 days full pay, followed by 20 days half pay (pro rata & following 3 months service)

- Emergency dependent care – option to use 25% of paid sick leave for emergency care of a dependent (pro rata & following 3 months of service)

- Enhanced maternity pay

Benefits

• 8% employer pension contributions, no employee contribution required*
• Option for salary sacrifice
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts, offers and free stuff

- The list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites

- Discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants

- Discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants

- Discounts to local leisure centres