Head of Programmes

Disability Arts; Manchester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - GBP 125,000; Full time

Job description

Background to the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Programmes to join our dedicated and ambitious team. This is a senior leadership role that will have strategic oversight and drive the continuous development of our broad and innovative portfolio of activities.

You will be a values-led leader with strong sector knowledge and excellent collaborative skills. You will be comfortable adapting to evolving priorities and changing circumstances that are characteristic of the sector. You will be responsible for shaping and delivering a programme of work that not only fulfils our artistic and social mission but also ensures our long-term growth and sustainability, representing both Brighter Sound and Manchester Music City with passion and purpose.

Job Description

Main Areas of Responsibility

Strategic Leadership & Programme Development

• Contribute to the Senior Management Team (SMT), driving forward the next phase of strategic development for Brighter Sound and Manchester Music City
• Lead on the integration and delivery of the organisation’s strategic plan across all programmes and projects, ensuring that our work reflects and progresses our mission, values and charitable objectives.
• Embed and evolve a robust monitoring, evaluation and learning framework across all activities, ensuring the organisation can evaluate its work and impact.
• Provide a developmental perspective on our portfolio, identifying opportunities for innovation, growth and increased scale and ambition.

Partnerships & Collaboration

• Build, develop, and manage high-value strategic partnerships with a diverse range of organisations, from local music venues and educational institutions to national arts bodies and international networks.
• Represent Brighter Sound and Manchester Music City as a key advocate, building the reputation of both locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Act as a representative for Manchester within the international Music Cities Network, forging global connections and sharing best practice.
• Contribute to sector development by creating opportunities for new collaborations and integrating best practice within the field of artist development across the North and nationally.

Fundraising & Income Generation

• Play a lead role in the financial sustainability of the organisation, identifying, researching and securing funding from a mix of sources.
• Develop and submit compelling applications to Trusts and Foundations.
• Manage and grow relationships with local authority partners.
• Cultivate support from individual donors, members and corporate sponsors.

Team Leadership & Management

• Provide inspirational team management, support, and professional development for our programmes team: currently made up of permanent, fixed term and freelance staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and ambitious culture within the team, ensuring work is delivered to the highest quality.

Person Specification

We’re looking for an ambitious, creative and strategic leader who can demonstrate the following:

Essential Experience & Skills:

• Proven strategic leadership and programme management experience within the arts, music, or wider cultural sector, or transferable skills from a different sector.
• A strong track record of building, managing, and sustaining complex partnerships across multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrable success in fundraising from a range of sources, including Trusts and Foundations, local government, and/or corporate sponsors.
• Experience of developing and embedding monitoring, evaluation, and learning approaches, ideally informed by a Theory of Change.
• A commitment to impact-led delivery, designing and adapting programmes to maximise positive outcomes for both participants and partners.
• Significant experience leading, motivating, and developing teams, with a track record of creating supportive environments where staff and freelancers feel valued and able to thrive.
• A strong understanding of the UK music sector, including the challenges and opportunities facing artists, young people, and music professionals.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to represent an organisation credibly and confidently at local, national, and international levels.

Personal Attributes:

• A clear commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and a belief in the power of music to create social change.
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit, with the confidence to contribute at senior leadership level while taking initiative and responsibility.
• A creative and strategic problem-solver, able to translate vision into practical, high-quality delivery.
• Ambitious for Brighter Sound, the city of Manchester, and the wider music sector.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage a complex and demanding workload.
• A confident and authentic ambassador for Brighter Sound, skilled at building and sustaining positive relationships with artists, partners, funders, and supporters.