Community Manager

Community ManagerApplication PackJanuary 2026Heila on work experience at Output ArtsPhoto: Tishon NicholsonArts Emergency is a mentoring charity and support network. Since 2013,we have worked to address the inequalities in the creative and culturalsectors. Founded in Hackney by two friends, activist Neil Griffiths andcomedian Josie Long, we now support over 2,200 brilliant young peopleacross the UK. We provide guidance so they can chart their own course.We create connections to help them get ahead. The future is a place where young people face no closed doors tocreativity and the creative industries.We open doors by connecting young people to each other and to creativeprofessionals within communities of care based on shared values,interests, and practice. Through the transformative power of this mutualsupport, young people are empowered to live out their creative ambitions.In 2011, when Neil and Josie first dreamed up the project that wouldbecome Arts Emergency, they wrote (on a tablecloth) the core statementsof belief and intention for the national movement they would go on tobuild. This became our founding manifesto. Ten years later, inspired bythis manifesto and their own experiences in the arts, our Youth Collectivecreated their own. You can read both manifestos on our website.Both manifestos are powerful guiding forces in everything we do. In thewords of our Youth Collective, "we are far more powerful when we cometogether. Share resources. Pay it forward”.About usGamze on work experience at Mother London. Photo: Hannah Daisy.Our visionOur missionOur core beliefsWe currently support 1,800 young people aged 16-25 who encountersystemic barriers to achieving their creative ambitions. Among our young people:78% are from a lower socioeconomic background70% are from an ethnic minority background17% have a disability or special educational needImportantly, 61% have intersecting identities that compound the challengesthey experience within the sector. Our young people live in 115 local authorities across London, GreaterManchester, Merseyside, and wider England. We recruit young people through a network of 57 long-standing referralpartnerships with schools, colleges, local authority services, and communityorganisations working in areas of deprivation.Who we supportOlamide reads her poem at a Celebration eventPhoto: Lilla Nyeki Arts Emergency has done more for me thanI ever thought possible, it has opened doorsI thought were closed. It has given mehope.Deji, former menteeMentor Georgia and mentee Christelle at the Arts Emergency celebration eventPhoto: Rob Greig98%of mentees showed improvedknowledge of routes intoindustry, experiences of theindustry, and confidence andself-beliefArts Emergency empowers, connects and develops under-resourced youngpeople to be their best, most aspirational selves through 1:1 mentoring andup to ten-years’ worth of tailored assistance, real-life opportunities,connection to our Network - thousands of cultural professionals - and peersupport.Our three main programme strands are:Mentoring: Through a year-long mentoring relationship with a trainedvolunteer who is experienced in their creative area of interest, youngpeople aged 16-18 receive information, advice, and guidance thatsupports them to make decisions and take steps toward their creativeambitions as they move beyond compulsory education. Young Community: Every young person who takes part in ourprogrammes becomes a member of our Young Community, a nationalcommunity of 1,800 young people aged 16-25 from underrepresentedbackgrounds, with shared creative interests and practices. Throughbringing people together in person and online, our Young Communityprogramme fosters authentic connections.Youth Collective: A representative group of 10 young people who provideleadership for the Young Community, ensuring that young people’s viewsand voices are at the heart of everything we do. This is an exciting time to join Arts Emergency and help shape the future of agrowing, mission-driven organisation. See some of the results of our work in our Impact Report 2024.What we doThe Arts Emergency team is a group of passionate and dedicated staff andtrustees who bring together a wealth of experience from the charity andcultural sectors. Our teamMeet our teamArts Emergency is a grassroots movement that is entirely and authenticallypowered by people. We believe that lasting social change can only happenwhen we all come together.Our programmes serve young people who are under-represented in thecreative and cultural industries, including people from lower socioeconomicbackgrounds, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.Arts Emergency is committed to taking steps to be reflective of the youngpeople we serve, and being a welcoming and inclusive organisation. Wetherefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likelyto be underrepresented in the UK’s cultural workforce. This includes peopleof colour, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people, and other equity deservinggroups. When we recruit we will always: show the salary, pay a living wage,and won’t demand a degree as an essential criteria (unless a specificqualification is required for a role).Commitment to equality anddiversityOur future cultural landscape is in danger of being populated exclusively bythe children of the wealthy and well-connected. I love Arts Emergency becauseit works to bridge this gap. To create theopportunities that have been taken away.Julie Hesmondalgh, Arts Emergency Bursar, actor, writer, and theatre makerLondon Mentoring Introduction EventPhoto: Rob GreigWe are committed to the employment and development of disabledpeople. We guarantee to interview anyone who identifies as disabled andwhose application meets the person specification for a post. To be invitedto interview, you must show in your application that you meet the personspecification for the role. If you tell us that you have access requirementsor any requests to make you comfortable, we can make reasonableadjustments to the interview process, and, if you join us, to your workarrangements.CommunityManagerEnsure that robust operational plans, systems,and processes are in place to support deliveryof the community programmeTake a listening and learning approach toprogramme development, and ensure thatthere is clear evidence of how input from theYoung Community is considered and utilisedEnsure compliance with all relevant policiesand procedures, escalating issues andconcerns as appropriateOversee the implementation of monitoring andevaluation processes for the Communityprogramme, and work with the Head ofProgrammes to learn and share insightsacross the teamWork with the Fundraising team to informfunding applications and fulfil reportingrequirements to fundersSupport the Head of Programmes to developthe Community budgetTwo year contract, with a view to makepermanentFull time, 35 hours per week£36,330 per annum pro rata, plus 3%pension contributionThis role can be home or office-basedArts Emergency operates a 35-hourweek, we will consider compressed orannualised hours.You will be joining Arts Emergency at anexciting time. With a refreshed vision and anew theory of change, Arts Emergency isputting community and collective-working at theheart of its operations. You will be at the centre of Arts Emergency’smission, coordinating an emerging programmethat connects young people to each other andto other creative professionals. Critical to thiswill be facilitation of our Youth Collective asleaders of community engagement anddevelopment.About the roleLeadershipProvide effective day-to-day management ofthe Community programme, ensuring it isdelivered to budget and timescale, in line withfunding and contractual requirements, andachieves objectives and targetsManage and motivate the Community Officer,ensuring they have the support and resourcesthey need to succeedEnsure that the Community programme ishigh-quality, delivered in line with ArtsEmergency’s values, and with equity, diversity,inclusion, and accessibility at its coreMaintain and continually develop coreprogramme assetsEnsure that the capture and utilisation ofCommunity programme data is accurate,efficient, and up-to-date, in collaboration withthe Head of Systems and Head ofProgrammesEnsure that risk management measures arefollowed in relation to Community programmesManagementKey TasksRecruit, facilitate, and support ArtsEmergency’s Youth Collective as leaders ofcommunity engagement and development,with ambitions to grow this programme so thatyoung people can influence Arts Emergency’swork in other capacities such as as advisorsand ambassadorsProvide effective pastoral and administrativesupport for the Young Community and YouthCollectives alongside the Community Officerand other staff membersCommunity facilitationThe Community programme continuallyimproves in quality and efficiencyThe Community team, volunteers, andpartners are aware of their roles andresponsibilities for the safeguarding of youngpeople; safeguarding policies and proceduresare followed; and safeguarding concerns orissues are dealt with efficiently and effectivelyThe Community team, volunteers, andpartners are aware of their roles andresponsibilities for young people’s welfare andwellbeing, and young people are signposted toappropriate servicesAccurate information is shared on the websiteand accurate records are kept on SalesforceThe Community programme is delivered in linewith activity plans, timelines, and budgets, withincreasing engagement over timeThe Community programme is high-quality,delivered in line with AE’s values, and withequity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility atits coreThe Community programme is delivered in linewith all relevant policies and procedures, andrisks are identified and mitigated accordinglyEffective processes and workflows are in placeto make the most of our resources and ensurethe Community programme is deliveredefficiently, consistently, and sustainablyThe Community Officer feels supported andclear on their role, outcomes, and the impactthey are contributing to young peopleThe Youth Collective are recruited and feelsupported, valued and they are clear on theirrolesThe annual Community and Collective cycle issmooth and processes are robustMonitoring and evaluation procedures aredelivered to planEvaluations from both Young Communitymembers and the Youth Collective are largelypositive and show positive impactThe Community and Collective budgets arespent effectively and efficiently to supportdelivery needs, and there are timely andaccurate records of income and expenditureThe Fundraising team have the informationthey need to develop funding applications andreport back to fundersKey Results / ObjectivesThis role can be home or office based, and wewill consider compressed or annualised hoursshould the successful applicant wish. We willalso consider job share applications. Arts Emergency head office is based at PeterHouse, Oxford St, Manchester M1 5AN. Wealso have access to Spaces offices around thecountry which are used by all staff livingoutside of Manchester.Regular travel across Greater Manchester,Merseyside and London is essential as part ofprogramme delivery. Where off-site working isrequired as part of programme delivery, travelexpenses and accommodation will becovered.We will occasionally ask you to travel to otheroffices or locations for training and team ordepartmental away days. Travel expenses willbe covered, and we’ll offer remote optionswhen necessary and ensure accessibilityrequirements are taken into account.There may occasionally be evening/weekendwork, we operate a time off in lieu system.Working ConditionsAlignment with and commitment to ArtsEmergency’s values of equity, access,optimism, justice, care, persistence,creativity, curiosity, and communityEmpathetic, youth-centred, with a genuineenthusiasm for youth voice and leadershipHighly organised self-starterPositive leader and role modelMotivated, resourceful, and committed toon-going learning and developmentCommitment to working collaboratively withothers toward shared goalsWillingness to work flexibly to meet thedemands of an evolving roleUnderstanding of youth participation and co-design principlesKnowledge of the context and issues affectingyoung people aged 16-25Knowledge of best practice and trends forworking with young people aged 16-25,especially in relation to equity, diversity,inclusion, and accessibilityKnowledge of the creative and culturalindustriesKnowledge of monitoring and evaluationprocesses to assess outcomes and informprogramme developmentExcellent facilitation and communication skills -ability to build trust, motivate, and inspire youngpeopleStrong leadership and people inspiration skills -ability to manage, motivate, and inspire a teamStrong organisational skills - ability to manage awide-ranging workload, delegate appropriately,and prioritise effectively to meet deadlinesStrong verbal and written communication skills -ability to communicate effectively with people atall levelsStrong problem-solving skills - ability to take acreative and analytical approach tounderstanding problems, generating ideas, andidentifying solutionsCritical thinking skills - ability to assess and useevidence to inform decision-makingInterpersonal and relationship-building skills -ability to develop and maintain productiverelationships with external stakeholders at astrategic levelSound financial acumen and ability to effectivelyset and manage budgetsCapability in using standard officeprogrammes/apps and ability to make effectiveuse of an online CRM databasePersonal qualitiesPerson specificationQualificationsKnowledgeNo specific qualifications are required for thisroleSkills / CompetenciesExperienceExperience of managing or coordinating youthengagement and community programmesExperience facilitating diverse groups of youngpeopleExperience of managing and motivating staff,contractors and volunteersExperience of designing systems andprocesses to deliver programmes efficientlyand effectivelyExperience of managing budgets, monitoringexpenditure and maintaining financial recordsExperience of developing programmes throughlistening and learning cyclesExperience of safeguarding young peopleIf you have any questions about the role or application, please contact JoeBurton, Head of Programmes, at joe@arts-emergency.orgArts Emergency Spaces,Peter House,Oxford Street, Manchester M1 5ANwww.arts-emergency.orgRegistered Charity Number 1152377Contact usWe will be hosting an optional Zoom on Tuesday 20 January 2026 at 5pmfor prospective applicants to learn more about the role, the Community team,and Arts Emergency before they apply. Register here.To apply please complete the following steps:Download and fill in the application forms from our jobs webpage. There aretwo parts to the application: Part One asks for your personal information, education, work history,refereesPart Two asks for supporting statements in relation to the job applicationYou can return the application forms as a Word Document or PDF. If youprefer you can talk through the Part Two questions in audio files. To transferaudio files, we suggest uploading to wetransfer.com and use the ‘get transferlink’ option, then share the generated link in your email. Complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Survey*.Once completed, please send the Parts One and Two to jobs@arts-emergency.org by 10am on Monday 2 February 2026 with AE-CM in thesubject line.Interviews will be held online the week commencing 9 February 2026. *The survey is anonymous and not linked in any way to your application. Any information youprovide will be used by Arts Emergency to monitor the demographics of candidates applying forroles and make improvements in line with our diversity and inclusion ambitions. This data will betreated in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.How to apply