Director of programmes and partnerships

Deadline for applications: Monday 30th November at 11.59pm

Salary: £60,000 - £65,000

Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)

Location: Hybrid, to include a minimum of two days per week in the office across two Creative Access sites in Camden and White City, London.

Lead our Thrive pillar as Director of Partnerships and Programmes, building ambitious employer partnerships and shaping the programmes that change who gets to build a creative career.

Creative Access is the leading organisation working to create equity, diversity and inclusion in the UK creative industries.

We are a Community Interest Company (CIC), providing career-long access, opportunities, support and training to make the creative industries better reflect society. Our mission is to break down the barriers faced by those from historically under-represented groups to accessing and building sustainable careers.

Working with 2,000+ employer partners and a community of more than 170,000 individuals across the UK, we deliver impactful programmes, recruitment services and training that drive systemic change across the sector.

As we enter our next chapter, we’re looking for a Director of Partnerships and Programmes to drive meaningful change at scale. You’ll lead our Thrive pillar, building ambitious, lasting employer partnerships and shaping the programmes that open up pathways into and through creative careers.

• Strategic and commercial leadership of our employer partnerships and the Thrive team’s work across Career Programmes, Employer Engagement and Training
• Driving sustainable income growth and developing high-value employer relationships
• Creating innovative, market-responsive solutions that work for employers and talented people from under-represented groups
• A seat on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), using market insight, impact data and financial analysis to shape organisational strategy and maximise our reach

What you’ll lead

Partnership development and growth

• Leading our partnership and new business strategy with the CEO and SLT, securing and growing ambitious relationships across the creative industries
• Building trusted relationships with current and prospective partners, with excellent account management and tailored solutions that meet their inclusion goals
• Developing compelling proposals, funding bids, pitches and presentations that show our value, expertise and impact
• Representing Creative Access with senior partners, stakeholders and sector networks, raising our profile and influence

Strategic leadership and innovation

• Setting the direction for Thrive, so our programmes deliver excellent outcomes for participants and partners
• Evolving and improving our offer, spotting emerging opportunities and testing new approaches
• Line managing and developing the managers within the Thrive team
• Building an ambitious, collaborative and inclusive team culture
• Setting priorities and targets that align with our organisational strategy and reflect developments across the sector and the wider inclusion landscape

Financial and commercial leadership

• Owning Thrive’s revenue and working with the CFO to hit repeat and new business targets
• Finding ways to diversify income and strengthen the commercial sustainability of our offer
• Leading pricing, resource and capacity planning so the team is structured to deliver

Impact, quality and performance

• Overseeing the quality and impact of Thrive’s programmes and services, using data, insight and feedback to keep improving
• Making sure programme outcomes, contract delivery and partner satisfaction are closely monitored, with evidence-led decisions across the team

Safeguarding

• Acting as our Designated Safeguarding Lead, with strategic oversight of safeguarding and high standards of practice to protect all the children and adults we work with

What you’ll bring

• A strong track record of developing, securing and growing strategic partnerships and new business
• Experience of building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and delivering excellent account management
• Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating career development programmes, training or similar services
• Sharp commercial acumen, with a history of spotting opportunities, writing funding applications, shaping tailored solutions and growing income
• Strong financial management skills, including income targets, budgets, resources, and reporting against targets and KPIs
• Significant experience of leading and developing high-performing teams
• Proposals, bids, pitches and presentations that have won new business or partnerships
• The ability to set clear strategic priorities and turn strategy into delivery
• A strong understanding of the creative industries, what employers need, and the wider challenges around inclusive talent development and progression
• Understanding and experience of DEI, including best practice in inclusive recruitment and workplace culture
• A passion for change and innovation, and the ability to inspire, influence and bring people together around a shared vision
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the confidence to represent us and influence senior audiences
• Strong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace
• An understanding of safeguarding principles and a commitment to high standards of practice and wellbeing (the successful candidate will need to complete a DBS check)

It would be great if you also have:

• Knowledge of the wider market, including competitors, their business models and innovations
• An understanding of market insight, data analysis and evaluation

Working with us

• Standard hours are 09:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday
• Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days a week in our White City or Camden offices
• Occasional work outside usual hours, including some evenings, with time off in lieu (TOIL)
• We’re open to discussing flexible working

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (maximum 2 pages of A4). Applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk
• Please note you will receive an update on your application no later than 6 weeks after the closing date

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.