Programme Manager, Ark Culture

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to manage and deliver a programme of high quality cultural education across art, dance, drama and design for the 48 schools in the Ark Network. The programme aims to ensure all pupils experience great cultural education, and this role will play a key part in delivering partnership projects across our schools as well as contributing to networkwide initiatives.

We are seeking a highly skilled and organised project manager with experience producing school based curriculum and enrichment arts opportunities and working confidently with a wide range of stakeholders. You will demonstrate an understanding of both school environments and the cultural sector, and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues in each. Strong budget management, timeline oversight, and a commitment to inclusive practice are essential to ensuring all children can access and benefit from our cultural offer.

The Programme Manager, Ark Culture will report into Head of Creative and Extended Curriculum. This role is currently operating hybrid working in our West London Office on a fixed term working part time.

Interviews will be taking place virtually w/c 9th November 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage partnerships between cultural organisations, artists and our schools • Project manage school based projects, mini festivals and workshops in schools across our regions using a place based and school centred approach • Project manage a pilot project with arts partners working in SEND specialist spaces in three of our schools in West London • Project manage a programme with three schools and professional writers to develop and write scripts for three new Year Six shows • Lead the Ark Drama Teachers Network, coordinating CPD opportunities and cross-school events • Share cultural education opportunities across the wider network • Manage project budgets, schedules, and logistics to ensure successful delivery • Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, teachers, school leaders and cultural organisations • Lead programme-wide data and evidence collection for evaluation purposes • Provide accurate and timely information to communications and fundraising colleagues to support storytelling, reporting and funding bids • Support the programme to ensure its legacy continues beyond this funding period, sharing knowledge and remit

Key Requirements:

• Right to work in the UK • Experienced in working in or with schools in the field of cultural education • Strong knowledge of educational settings and arts landscapes • Proven experience in project or programme management, ideally within arts, cultural or education settings • Experience delivering performances or artistic programmes with young people • Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work across multiple schools and cultural partners • Understanding of school environments and awareness of the cultural sector • Confidence managing budgets, timelines, and logistics • A clear commitment to inclusion and ensuring that all children can access cultural learning opportunities • Relational approach able to communicate with children, teachers and artists • Able to adapt to different settings and be flexible to accommodate different needs in different settings • Ability to see the larger picture and communality across multiple projects to make a coherent programme • Willing to support across all areas during delivery