Senior Manager, Operations (COO76)
Senior Manager, Operations (COO76)
Senior Manager, Operations (COO76)
Contract: Permanent, working 35 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: £50.468 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Manchester, Cambridge, Bristol or Brighton (The role will be based in any of the locations 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)
Introduction:
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Capital Team as Senior Manager, Operations, in a permanent role.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader to help deliver Arts Council England’s capital investment programmes. In this senior role, you will streamline and improve operational processes, coordinate workflows, oversee performance, assurance and risk management, and ensure effective delivery across multiple capital programmes.
Job Role:
As a member of the Capital Senior Management Team, you will shape the strategic approach to capital investment, champion effective systems and processes, and represent the organisation at a senior level.
You will lead and develop a team of Senior Officers, collaborate with colleagues across the organisation, and build strong relationships with internal and external partners. We’re looking for someone with strong programme or project management experience, excellent communication and stakeholder skills, confidence working within governance and assurance frameworks, and a track record of leading teams and driving process improvement.
If you have senior-level experience leading the operational delivery of multiple projects or programmes, including experience in risk management and business assurance activities, we’d love to hear 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
We participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they’re applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long-term condition and/ or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.
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 recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk
We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent. Find out what to expect with our application Guidance: How to apply and recruitment selection process | Arts Council England 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: COO76
Closing date: 09:00am, 14 April 2026
1 st Interview: (virtual) 27 and 28 April 2026
2 nd Interview: (virtual) 06 and 07 May 2026
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
recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk