Programme Manager
Full-time | 37.5 hours/wk | Fixed-term (5 months)
September 2026 – January 2027 w/ opportunity to convert to permanent contract
Reporting to: Director & CEO
Salary
£52,000 per annum (pro rata), plus employer pension contribution.
The salary is offered as a fixed-term contract for the duration of the project mobilisation phase (September 2026 – January 2027).
Contract
Fixed-term contract for approximately five months, commencing as early as possible in September 2026 and ending in January 2027.
This role forms part of the initial mobilisation phase of a longer-term programme. Subject to the successful completion of this phase and the securing of follow-on funding, we anticipate opportunities for the successful candidate to transition into the next phase of programme delivery from early 2027.
Working Pattern
Full-time (37.5 hours per week).
Some travel across England may be required.
Flexible working arrangements to be discussed.
Location
UK based only.
Sponsorship for those who do not have eligibility to work in the UK is not possible
Remote working will be considered for the right candidate, although attendance at meetings in London and other locations across England may be required.
Pension
Employer pension contribution of 3% in line with organisational policy.
Annual Leave
25 days annual leave (pro rata), plus public holidays.
Expenses
Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred whilst undertaking project activities will be reimbursed in accordance with Culture Commons’ expenses policy.
Reporting To
Director & CEO
Responsible For
Programe Administrator
Communications & Digital Officer
Overview
Help shape the next chapter of devolution and culture in England.
Culture Commons is seeking an exceptional Programme Manager to join a small, ambitious team at a pivotal moment for culture, creativity and place.
Over the past two and a half years, we have brought together local government, national cultural organisations, universities, policymakers and practitioners to explore how culture can play a central role in England’s rapidly evolving devolution agenda.
Through research, advocacy and partnership-building, this work has helped move the national conversation forward and contributed to growing recognition of culture within the emerging devolution framework.
This next phase is about turning that momentum into action.
Working alongside partners from across government, Strategic Authorities, academia and the cultural sector, we’ll co-design a programme that has the potential to inform future policy, influence public investment and shape how culture is embedded within England’s evolving devolved governance landscape.
Over an intensive five-month project period, we’ll bring together strategic partners from across local, regional and national government, universities, arm’s-length bodies, cultural organisations and the wider creative economy to co-design a programme of work that will launch in early 2027.
Your role will be to help establish the partnerships, governance, priorities and delivery framework that will underpin the next phase of this work.
By bringing together leading organisations and decision-makers from across the cultural and public policy ecosystem, you’ll help create the conditions for ideas developed through the programme to inform future policy, influence practice and support the long-term development of culture within England’s devolved system of government.
The work is high profile, fast paced and collaborative, engaging directly with senior leaders shaping the future of culture, place and public policy across England.
This is initially a five-month fixed-term appointment to deliver this critical mobilisation phase. Subject to funding being secured for the next stage of the programme, we anticipate opportunities for the successful candidate to continue into the delivery phase from early 2027.
About the role
This is the critical operational leadership role.
Working closely with Culture Commons Director & CEO, you will translate strategic ambition into coordinated delivery, ensuring that a complex programme involving multiple partners, workstreams and stakeholders progresses at pace while maintaining the highest standards of organisation, communication and project management.
You will not be expected to define the strategic direction of the programme alone. Working alongside the Director & CEO, you’ll help convene some of the country’s most influential organisations and leaders to translate research, policy development and advocacy into practical partnerships capable of informing future policy and delivery.
You’ll lead the day-to-day management of the project, supported by a Programme Administrator and Communications & Digital Officer, while acting as the central point of coordination across the wider partnership.
Success in this role will come from your ability to hold the whole programme together: balancing strategic conversations with practical delivery, managing competing priorities, maintaining momentum and creating confidence among partners that the programme is being delivered professionally and effectively.
If you’re someone who enjoys building ambitious projects from the ground up, thrives in complex partnership environments and takes pride in bringing order, energy and focus to fast-moving programmes, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
You’ll work closely with the Programme Director to:
Lead the day-to-day management and coordination of the programme.
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, delivery schedules and milestones.
Coordinate activity across multiple workstreams and partner organisations.
Manage project budgets, resources and reporting.
Support the Director & CEO in developing strategic partnerships, preparing high-level briefings and coordinating engagement with senior decision-makers across local, regional and national government, academia, arm’s-length bodies and the wider cultural sector.
Monitor risks, dependencies and emerging opportunities, ensuring issues are identified and addressed early.
Coordinate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement activities involving senior representatives from government, Strategic Authorities, universities, arm’s-length bodies and national cultural organisations.
Support the development of partnership agreements, governance arrangements and programme documentation.
Oversee project administration processes, ensuring accurate records, reporting and documentation are maintained.
Line manage and support the Programme Administrator and Communications & Digital Officer, creating a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
Work with the Director to prepare the programme for implementation from Q1 2027.
Person Specification
We’re looking for someone who combines exceptional organisational skills with the confidence to work alongside senior leaders and partners.
Essential
You will be able to demonstrate:
Significant experience managing complex, high-profile projects or programmes involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
Experience working across organisational boundaries, bringing together diverse partners to deliver shared objectives.
Outstanding project planning, prioritisation and organisational skills.
Experience managing budgets, resources and programme reporting.
Confidence working with senior decision-makers across the public, private or voluntary sectors.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality papers, reports and briefings.
Experience coordinating meetings, workshops and stakeholder events involving senior participants.
The ability to remain calm, organised and solutions-focused in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent judgement, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
A collaborative leadership style, with experience supporting and motivating colleagues to deliver high-quality work.
Desirable
It would be advantageous if you have experience of:
Devolution, local government or public policy.
The creative, cultural or heritage sectors.
Think tanks, research programmes or policy development.
Partnership development between government, academia and the cultural sector.
Grant-funded or publicly funded programmes.
Why join us?
This is more than a project management role.
It’s an opportunity to become part of the small founding team behind what we believe could become one of the UK’s most significant collaborative programmes exploring the future of culture within England’s devolved system of government.
You’ll work directly with nationally recognised leaders across government, Strategic Authorities, universities, cultural organisations and public policy, helping to build partnerships that have the potential to influence how culture is considered within future policy, investment and decision-making across England’s devolved system of government.
Few project management roles offer the opportunity to work at the intersection of public policy, culture and place while helping to shape a programme that could influence decision-making at local, regional and national levels. If you’re excited by meaningful work, thrive in ambitious partnership environments and want to help build something with lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Recruitment Timetable
Applications close: Midnight, Sunday 23 August 2026 (or your preferred date)
Interviews: Week commencing 24 August 2026
Interviews will be held online or in central London.
Preferred start date: Early September 2026
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Culture Commons is committed to building a diverse team and creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can thrive.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities and particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented within the cultural and policy sectors.
Appointments will be made on merit following a fair and transparent recruitment process.
How to Apply
If you’re excited by the opportunity to help shape one of the UK’s most ambitious programmes exploring the future of culture, creativity and devolution, we’d love to hear from you.
Please submit:
A current CV (maximum two pages).
A covering letter (maximum two pages) outlining:
your interest in the role and why you would like to join Culture Commons at this exciting stage of its development;
how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role; and
examples of relevant experience that demonstrate your ability to deliver in a fast-paced, collaborative and partnership-focused environment.
Applications should be submitted by Thursday 20th August 2026 to contact@culturecommons.uk, quoting ‘Programme Manager application [your name]’ in the RE window.
Interviews are expected to take place during the last week of August 2026, either online or in central London. We are looking for successful candidates to start early September 2026.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact [insert contact details].
About Culture Commons
Culture Commons is an independent think and do tank dedicated to strengthening the role of culture, creativity and heritage in shaping thriving places, inclusive economies and stronger communities.
We work across research, policy and practice, connecting local and regional government, universities, cultural organisations, businesses and communities to develop practical solutions to complex public policy challenges. Our work focuses on translating ideas into action through evidence, collaboration and ambitious partnership programmes.
We believe culture is essential civic infrastructure – contributing not only to creative expression, but also to economic growth, place-making, health, wellbeing and social cohesion. Our work seeks to ensure that culture is embedded within the decisions that shape the future of towns, cities and regions across England.
Working nationally with partners across government, Strategic Authorities, universities, arm’s-length bodies and the wider cultural sector, we design and deliver programmes that help influence policy, strengthen collaboration and create lasting public value.
Though small in size, Culture Commons is ambitious in its outlook, bringing together expertise from across sectors to tackle some of the most significant opportunities facing culture, creativity and place in England today.