Responsibilities

• Provide clear, visible leadership for culture, creative industries and major cultural programmes.
• Chair and strengthen citywide governance, including the Cultural Strategy Partnership Board, Creative Industries Leadership Group and Events Commission.
• Lead significant capital, commissioning and regeneration activity linked to culture and creative industries.
• Secure investment and drive innovation, commercial development and cross‑sector partnerships.
• Represent and advocate for Manchester locally, nationally and internationally with government, funders and global cultural networks.
• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary service, building new creative industries capacity within the Council.
• We are looking for a nationally credible cultural leader with significant senior level experience in the cultural or creative industries, public sector or similarly complex environments. You will bring a strong track record in creative industries development, investment and partnership working, alongside financial and commercial acumen.
• You will be politically astute, emotionally intelligent and a confident communicator able to navigate complex issues, convene diverse partners and deliver at pace. A deep understanding of UK cultural policy, the role of local government and a genuine commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and neighbourhood access are essential.
• This is a rare opportunity to shape Manchester’s cultural future, balancing global ambition with local community impact in a city that takes culture seriously and expects delivery.

Requirements

• We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
• In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
• Pre-Employment Checks
• If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.