Job Title

Head of Programme Development

Department

Programmes

Reports to

Director of Programme & Policy

Purpose of Role Take a senior role in the strategic planning and operational delivery of Art Fund’s grant-making programme, taking a lead on certain areas of the business plan to ensure they deliver against and inform the ongoing development of Art Fund’s strategic vision. Work with the Director of Programme & Policy and Head of Programme Delivery to manage the team to ensure effective management of all grant-making and operational activities, develop and deliver new initiatives, funding opportunities, partnerships, research, and evaluation, ensuring maximum impact and maintaining and furthering Art Fund’s excellent relationships across the museums, heritage, funding and visual arts sectors. Prepare and manage the distribution of annual budgets, acting as a budget owner for the Programme.

A member of the Programmes team the postholder will work with colleagues across Art Fund and the wider sector to ensure our grant-making is effective and valuable and supports our strategic plan. You’ll help us identify where Art Fund can make a real difference in our priority areas and build our reputation in these areas: championing diverse and inclusive museum collections, workforce and audiences; reaching a new generation of museum goers through digital and community experiences, as well as in the museum itself, and developing a sustainable sector. You will share the energy and commitment that Art Fund staff bring to their work, as well as a belief in the importance of arts and culture.

Key accountabilities

• Work with the Director of Programme & Policy, SMT, Trustees and senior colleagues to contribute to and shape the strategic direction for Art Fund, with specific responsibility for the development and delivery of aspects of the organisation’s grant making work, and relationships across the visual arts and museum sectors.

• Lead on programme development, working with the Director of Programme & Policy and senior colleagues to research, iterate and create new projects, programmes, partnerships and campaigns with a particular focus on programmes designed to support museums in reaching families and young audiences in line with the organisation’s strategic objectives.

• Work closely with colleagues in the Development team on fundraising strategies and proposals, cultivating and maintaining excellent relationships with a range of trusts, foundations and funding partners and reporting on funded projects as required.

• Support the Director of Programme and Policy to lead the Programmes team, providing motivation and support, and ensuring it has sufficient capacity, expertise and resources to maintain excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders and deliver against the organisation’s strategic goals.

• Working together with the Head of Programme Delivery, oversee the operational delivery programmes ensuring effective delivery of grant-making and operational functions, including managing capacity and workloads within the team.

• Contribute to the leadership and management of Art Fund by working with the Director of Programme & Policy and senior colleagues on the annual budgeting and business planningprocesses, setting departmental strategy, priorities, goals and targets, and reviewing systems andprocesses. Within this take specific responsibility for relevant cost centres.

• Act as project sponsor on a range of projects, partnerships, research and programmes, providing leadership and support from inception through development to delivery and evaluation; at present including ‘Going Places’ (a programme supporting touring exhibition networks), Under 5’s, Digital, Teacher Fellowships, Student Art Pass and Teacher Art Pass.

• To lead on the delivery of specific strategic goals, working in partnership with other senior staff where required: with a particular focus on those that relate to Art Fund’s strategic aims

around Audience Making and Amplifying the Sector.

• Work closely with colleagues to undertake casework across the Programme as required, supporting applicants through the process and completing necessary administration and record-keeping.

• Work with the Policy and Research Lead and any research partners to input into the design and delivery of research to inform the development of the strategy across the programme.

• Ensure diversity, inclusion and sustainability are considered, and embedded, in all aspects of Art Fund programme.

• Represent Art Fund at a senior level externally and proactively cultivate and maintain excellent high-level sector networks, and ensure that the deep knowledge and understanding gained through these relationships feeds into the delivery of Art Fund strategic goals and the development of new projects, programmes, research and campaigns.

• Deputise for the Director of Programme & Policy internally and externally, including attending key meetings as required.

• Sit on/chair grant panels and committees (as required)

Reporting Lines

Reports to the Director of Programme & Policy

Close working relationships across all departments, Director, and Senior Management Team

Line manages Senior Programmes Manager, Projects; Projects Manager, Programmes; Going Places Project Manager.

PERSON DESCRIPTION

Qualifications

Qualification in relevant discipline or equivalent experience

Knowledge and experience

In-depth understanding of the visual arts, heritage and museums and galleries sectors in the UK

Extensive experience in arts administration, fundraising and/or grant-making, including management of administrative and/or grant-making teams or functions

A keen understanding of recent developments in philanthropy and fundraising

Experience of developing funding programmes and/or art projects, and successfully fundraising for the same

Demonstrable and solid experience of setting and managing substantial (six and seven-figure) budgets

Established connections and networks at a senior level related to other funding organisations and the museums sector

Experience of making impactful contributions to the development and delivery of an organisation’s strategic and business planning and budget setting processes.

An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion matters in the arts sector and beyond

Experience of representing an organisation externally at a senior level.

An excellent understanding of UK arts policy and in particular the needs and challenges of the museums and galleries sector

Experience in developing or delivering of programmes designed to support museums in reaching families and/or young audiences

Experience of working with boards of trustees or/and committees

Skills/Abilities/Competencies

Strategic, analytic, agile and creative thinker.

Proven project sponsorship skills: delegating and managing delivery of complex projects.

Proven project management skills: scoping, managing and evaluating projects.

Excellent time-management skills and ability to prioritise, work under pressure and deliver to deadlines

Ability to grasp complex ideas and information quickly, and present then compellingly in writing and face to face

Highly accurate and precise

Able to build and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally at all levels, and communicate with tact and diplomacy

Mentoring/coaching (either formally or informally)

Personal Attributes

Enjoy working as part of a team with a flexible, helpful and supportive attitude

A positive, pro-active, creative approach to work