Relationship Manager, Visual Arts

Relationship Manager, Visual Arts

Contract: Permanent, working 17.5 hours per week (Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility)

Salary: £36,987 per annum pro rata plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.

Location: Manchester (The role will be based at the office base listed; however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1-2 days a week)

We are on a mission to make sure that the arts and cultural activities we fund are inclusive and that everyone in England has the chance to lead creative and cultural lives no matter what their background. Music, theatre, galleries, dance, literature, museums, libraries - it's about access to all of these and more. Can you help us?

As a Relationship Manager, Visual Arts, you will be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and experience of the Visual Arts sector.

You'll have a focus on building, empowering and enduring relationships with a portfolio of funded organisations and helping to develop the sector in the north to maintain its vibrant, innovative and diverse range of opportunities.

You will also have a good understanding of the cultural sector in England and of the current challenges and opportunities facing it, and excellent skills in collaboration, influencing and advocacy, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You'll be comfortable working with data and taking an evidence-based approach to developing new initiatives.

Here are some of the things you could expect to do in this role:

Manage a portfolio of funded organisations and giving funding advice to individuals and organisations, about Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants and other funds. Support our decision-making processes, writing assessments and sit on funding panels. Assessing financial information, identifying risk, and providing feedback on artistic plans. Take a place-based, creativity-led approach to cultural development by working with local stakeholders in targeted places. Helping to improve the diversity of the projects we fund by giving feedback to applicants and looking to support a wide range of first-time applicants.

If this Relationship Manager job in Manchester sounds like the right fit for you, please contact Arts Council England today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However, you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.

If there are any adjustments that would support you in your application, please do let us know when you apply. If you are disabled, Evenbreak are able to provide support with your application. For further information please visit their website here

Disabled, D/deaf and/or neurodivergent people and those from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in our workforce so we particularly encourage applications from people in these groups.

About us: Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme. To find out more, click here .

Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding - either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact

We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent. Find out what to expect with our application guidance and more about our commitment to diversity on our website here .

To view the job description please click here

To view the recruitment pack which outlines more details about working for Arts Council please click here

Job ref: NM12-1

Closing date: Midnight 5 January 2025

1 st Interviews: 21 January 2025 (virtual)

2 nd Interviews: 29 January 2025 (in person)

Please note: We do NOT accept CVs or cover letters as part of our recruitment process. If you require any documentation in an alternative format, please contact