Youth Curators Programme Lead

Factory International; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Factory International is seeking a Young Curators Programme Manager in Manchester to plan, coordinate and deliver a youth-led curatorial programme for 18–30-year-olds. The role involves managing participants, artists, partners and internal teams to ensure safe, high-quality delivery.

Fixed-term September 2026 to 31 March 2028, with responsibilities spanning workshops, mentoring, and progression opportunities within Factory International and the wider cultural sector.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing and delivering creative, cultural, youth or participatory programmes from development through to delivery and evaluation.
• Strong programme and project management skills, including budgets, schedules, contracts, logistics and competing priorities.
• Experience working with young people, emerging creatives or early-career practitioners, building positive relationships to support development.
• Experience delivering ambitious public-facing creative projects with multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Experience managing relationships with artists, facilitators and practitioners, ensuring briefing and support.
• Ability to support young people to develop and realise creative ideas with appropriate guidance and structure.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and delivery of the Young Curators programme in line with aims, objectives and youth-led ethos.
• Manage day-to-day operation including scheduling, communications, contracts, administration, resources and reporting.
• Manage the programme budget, monitor expenditure, process payments and track commitments within financial parameters.
• Act as the primary contact for participants, providing guidance, support and clear communication.
• Collaborate with the Lead Facilitator, artists and practitioners to design and deliver a high-quality programme.
• Coordinate workshops, mentoring, industry visits and professional development activities; brief and support partners and facilitators.
• Create an inclusive environment that enables young people to develop confidence and curatorial practice.
• Work with internal teams to coordinate cohort public activation planning and delivery.
• Support participant recruitment, evaluation and progression opportunities, contributing to ongoing development of the programme and wider youth work.

Skills

Programme management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Safeguarding

Independent working

Job description

Factory International is seeking a Young Curators Programme Manager in Manchester to plan, coordinate and deliver a youth-led curatorial programme for 18–30-year-olds. The role involves managing participants, artists, partners and internal teams to ensure safe, high-quality delivery.

Fixed-term September 2026 to 31 March 2028, with responsibilities spanning workshops, mentoring, and progression opportunities within Factory International and the wider cultural sector.