Strategic Development Lead (Freelance)

DisabilityArtsOnline Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Bradford Producing Hub is seeking a freelance Strategic Development Lead for an 8 day/month, 7‑month fixed term (Oct 2026 – Apr 2027) with hybrid working in Bradford. You will steer a strategic review, map the sector, engage stakeholders and outline ambitious options for future support for Bradford’s creative talent.

You’ll work with Trustees, bring your networks, and balance funders with artists, building trust through listening as much as programme design.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Bradford’s artistic community and BPH
• Organisational leadership or strategic development
• Managing organisational change
• Research, mapping, consultation, evaluation or evidence-based planning
• Fundraising, budget planning and developing funding applications
• Developing partnerships across different sectors
• Strong financial planning and budgeting
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Working independently while reporting to a Board
• Understanding of the challenges facing artists and cultural organisations

Responsibilities

• Lead a focused period of strategic review, sector mapping and stakeholder engagement
• Set out realistic, ambitious options for the future of Bradford’s talent development
• Define what Bradford Producing Hub and talent development becomes next

Skills

Knowledge of Bradford arts scene

Organisational leadership

Change management

Research & mapping

Fundraising & budgeting

Partnership development

Financial planning

Written & verbal communication

Independent work to Board

Arts sector understanding

Job description

Strategic Development Lead (freelance)

Bradford Producing Hub | Freelance, 7-month fixed term (Oct 2026 – Apr 2027) | 8 days/month | £350/day | Bradford, with hybrid working

Bradford Producing Hub (BPH) is looking for a freelance Strategic Development Lead. Working closely with our Trustees, you’ll lead a focused period of strategic review, sector mapping and stakeholder engagement to build a clear-eyed picture of where support for Bradford’s creative talent is most needed, and set out realistic, ambitious options for the future; it’s a chance to help define what BPH, and talent development across the district, becomes next.

Who we’re looking for

You combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, and you’ve led organisations, projects or development work through change before. You know Bradford’s creative community, its challenges and its ambitions; and you’ll bring existing relationships, or the confidence to build them quickly. You’re as comfortable with funders and budgets as with artists and communities, and you understand that strong cultural organisations are built on relationships, trust and listening as much as on programmes and funding.

Essential experience

• Knowledge of Bradford’s artistic community, and a clear understanding of BPH
• Organisational leadership or strategic development
• Managing organisational change
• Research, mapping, consultation, evaluation or evidence-based planning
• Fundraising, budget planning and developing funding applications
• Developing partnerships across different sectors
• Strong financial planning and budgeting
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Working independently while reporting to a Board
• Understanding of the challenges facing artists and cultural organisations

Closing date: Wednesday 16 September, 12 noon

Interview date: Wednesday 23 September, in Bradford

We particularly encourage applications from people from the Global Majority, who are LGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or from working-class or low socioeconomic backgrounds, who remain underrepresented in the arts.