Cultural Development Lead (Maternity Cover)
| Posting date: | 22 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,862 to £41,771 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 July 2026 |
| Location: | EX1 1JN |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Exeter City Council |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | VAC000448/2026 |
Summary
About you:
We are looking for an experienced and strategic cultural professional to lead the development and delivery of Exeter’s Cultural Strategy. This position will be for a temporary period of up to a year to provide maternity cover.
You will be an experienced project manager with a strong understanding of cultural strategy, policy and programme delivery. You will have significant experience of working within the cultural sector and building successful partnerships across a wide range of organisations and stakeholders.
You will be able to think strategically, influence others and develop collaborative approaches that deliver meaningful outcomes for communities. You will have excellent relationship-building skills and be confident working with cultural organisations, funders, community groups and public sector partners.
You will be highly organised, able to manage competing priorities and deliver high quality work to challenging timescales. Experience of managing budgets, funding agreements and monitoring programme outcomes is essential.
About the role:
As Cultural Development Lead, you will play a key role in shaping Exeter’s cultural future. You will facilitate the delivery of the Cultural Strategy 2026–2031 and support the Council’s ambition to establish Exeter as a leading City of Culture.
Working closely with partners across the city, region and nationally, you will coordinate strategic cultural networks, advocate for investment in the cultural sector and help secure opportunities that deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.
You will oversee partnership-led cultural programmes, support Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations, maintain Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature designation and help ensure culture contributes to wider Council priorities including wellbeing, placemaking, housing and city development.
About the team:
You will be part of our Culture Service within the Place Directorate and work closely with the Head of Culture and a broad range of internal and external partners.
The team works across the city to support cultural development, strengthen partnerships, promote creativity and deliver initiatives that enhance Exeter as a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work and visit. This role offers an exciting opportunity to influence the city’s cultural direction and support the delivery of long-term strategic ambitions.
What next?
If we sound like the right fit for you and you feel like the right fit for us we would welcome your application. Please click on the Apply button at the bottom of this page.
Alternatively if you would like to find out more about the post, the team or working with us at the Council please contact Ian Collinson, Strategic Director, Place at ian.collinson@exeter.gov.uk
We reserve the right to close any vacancy before the closing date if enough applications are received.
Our commitment
At Exeter City Council we are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.
To support this commitment we will strive to implement reasonable adjustments to support any members of our communities who face barriers in recruitment processes, irrespective of the reason.
We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
We are looking for an experienced and strategic cultural professional to lead the development and delivery of Exeter’s Cultural Strategy. This position will be for a temporary period of up to a year to provide maternity cover.
You will be an experienced project manager with a strong understanding of cultural strategy, policy and programme delivery. You will have significant experience of working within the cultural sector and building successful partnerships across a wide range of organisations and stakeholders.
You will be able to think strategically, influence others and develop collaborative approaches that deliver meaningful outcomes for communities. You will have excellent relationship-building skills and be confident working with cultural organisations, funders, community groups and public sector partners.
You will be highly organised, able to manage competing priorities and deliver high quality work to challenging timescales. Experience of managing budgets, funding agreements and monitoring programme outcomes is essential.
About the role:
As Cultural Development Lead, you will play a key role in shaping Exeter’s cultural future. You will facilitate the delivery of the Cultural Strategy 2026–2031 and support the Council’s ambition to establish Exeter as a leading City of Culture.
Working closely with partners across the city, region and nationally, you will coordinate strategic cultural networks, advocate for investment in the cultural sector and help secure opportunities that deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.
You will oversee partnership-led cultural programmes, support Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations, maintain Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature designation and help ensure culture contributes to wider Council priorities including wellbeing, placemaking, housing and city development.
About the team:
You will be part of our Culture Service within the Place Directorate and work closely with the Head of Culture and a broad range of internal and external partners.
The team works across the city to support cultural development, strengthen partnerships, promote creativity and deliver initiatives that enhance Exeter as a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work and visit. This role offers an exciting opportunity to influence the city’s cultural direction and support the delivery of long-term strategic ambitions.
What next?
If we sound like the right fit for you and you feel like the right fit for us we would welcome your application. Please click on the Apply button at the bottom of this page.
Alternatively if you would like to find out more about the post, the team or working with us at the Council please contact Ian Collinson, Strategic Director, Place at ian.collinson@exeter.gov.uk
We reserve the right to close any vacancy before the closing date if enough applications are received.
Our commitment
At Exeter City Council we are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.
To support this commitment we will strive to implement reasonable adjustments to support any members of our communities who face barriers in recruitment processes, irrespective of the reason.
We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.