Overall purpose of the role

You will be a senior member of dispersed team working across the Arts Council to deliver transformation as we aim to become a digitally enabled, user focused, and inclusive development agency. You will join a growing team that is building capacity in new digital, design and service delivery skills in line with the Government Digital Service.

You will lead the development, testing and implementation of products in response to user research and service redesign. Products are the things that our customers use to engage with our services. This includes the websites and portals used to apply for funding, submit monitoring information or access one of our services.

You will work collaboratively across teams to reimagine current products as user focused services which will improve the experience of applicants and make it easier for our people to do their jobs. You will lead the design of some products and support work with other products developed as part of pilot projects with the transformation programme. This may include working with existing products like our grant making system or CRM or developing new products to support new approaches to grant making or development.

 

Main day to day responsibilities

 You will:

·       Oversee the development of products by bringing together relevant teams, defining the scope of the work and providing a clear roadmap for delivery.

·       Manage a product across the stages of the product life cycle, this will include leading discovery, alpha, beta and go- live states.

·       Identify technological solutions and software options within operational constraints in response to user needs, proto-typing and testing.

·       Manage the operations of running and maintaining products, including budgets, resources and project timelines.

·       Identify and engage with users and stakeholders to understand their needs. You will develop user profiles and requirements to inform the delivery process by gathering regular feedback to support ongoing improvements to products and services

·       Be responsible for the quality of products that are delivered and ensure that user needs and business goals are met.

·       Work in a transparent and collaborative way to build a community of practice with other colleagues.

·       Lead regular opportunities to share good practice and learning about product management and transformation.

·       Work flexibly across the organisation, collaborating with senior colleagues and providing additional capacity and expertise, focusing on product management and delivery.

·       Actively participate in learning and development opportunities, including shadowing experts in digital, design and delivery roles and attending training courses as required.

To deliver your role you will:

·       Use data tools effectively to track impact and identify trends. You will manage data in line with data protection regulations and internal policies.

·       Contribute to a positive working culture in the organisation by taking a proactive approach to learning, responding to change, inclusive practice, and environmental responsibility.

·       Reflect the Nolan principles of public life and the Arts Council's values with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

 

Key relationships

You will work closely with colleagues in Transformation, Data and Insights, IT and Business Systems teams, and other colleagues across the organisation. You will build effective relationships with external stakeholders across the creative and cultural sector to gain strategic buy in and raise the profile of new ways of working.

You will also work with relevant national and area colleagues, to develop specialist knowledge and insight as we develop new approaches to service design. For examples, service owners: who make decisions about the direction of service, owns the budget and allocates funds and subject matter experts: who bring the operational knowledge and experience of the service.

 

Essential (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)

·       Demonstrate a good understanding of design, technology and data principles

·       Demonstrate an ability to lead teams to anticipate, investigate and resolve problems

·       Experience in adapting to change, including planning, co-designing and rolling out new ways of working

·       Understanding of user research and how to champion user needs

·       Knowledge of strategic approaches to work and experience in engaging stakeholders in new initiatives

·       Demonstrable ability to challenge own practices, and the status quo.

·       Demonstrate an ability to communicate creatively to positively influence, inspire and build trust.

 

Desirable (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)

·       Experience delivering a successful product or service

·       Knowledge of agile and iterative approaches to project management

·       Understand the range of available technology choices

·       Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data

We are a Disability Confident Employer and 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.

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

1st Interview: (virtual/in-person) 07 and 08 January 2026

2nd Interview: (virtual/in-person) 14 and 15 January 2026