Arts Manager

Job description / Role

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021-22 we reached 650 million people.

Role purpose

The Arts Project Manager in the United Arab Emirates will be responsible for delivering our arts programme portfolio in UAE and as needed, support programme delivery in the wider Gulf cluster (including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman). He or she will work with a small team of colleagues in the UAE and the broader MENA region to plan and deliver impact for the local cultural sector and UK cultural professionals. He or she will also contribute to the delivery of potential regional and global multi-country projects that involve the UAE, and the wider MENA region as and when required.

The Arts Project Manager in the UAE will be responsible for the implementation of projects with a medium level of complexity funded by British Council or by another client or funding mechanism - delivered through some or all of the Arts four global programmes: Culture Connects, Spotlights on Culture, Creative Economy and Arts Responds to Global Challenges. He or she will lead the successful delivery of a range of projects from start to finish including managing the contract or project plan, managing client or internal stakeholders, successfully achieving reporting and meeting compliance standards.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following

Sector mobilisation

• Uses their own knowledge on the arts and creative industries, intelligence and insight from other sector stakeholders, opinion formers and funders to support the ongoing development of arts programmes in the UAE, that will meet the specific needs of the UAE and the Gulf while also providing value to a diverse range of UK and regional arts and creative industry organisations.
• Through ongoing relationships with the global and regional Arts team, builds and maintains good understanding of UK arts and creative industry sector priorities as well as Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other Her Majestyu2019s Government (HMG) priorities.
• Identifies and develops opportunities for the UK Arts sector to work in and collaborate with peers in UAE and the Gulf, where needed.

Relationship & stakeholder management

• Develops and maintains relationships with delivery partners and stakeholders within UAE (and other Gulf countries & wider MENA region where needed) and is able to procure services and contract delivery partners.
• Holds suppliers to account for delivering against grant agreement or contract.
• Communicates internally and externally about a projectu2019s success, challenges and lessons learned.

Leadership & management

• Manages Arts Project Coordinator and delivery team.
• Manages all Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) processes and ensures comprehensive use of internal tools in programme design and delivery. Maintains an oversight of the action plan developed through the use of internal EDI tools.
• Builds strong internal relationships and networks.

Programme management

• Contributes to development of, owns and delivers on Project Management Plan.
• Responsible for management of key Arts projects or activities to be held in the UAE.
• Support and lead on the development and delivery of multi-country projects involving stakeholders from the Gulf and MENA.

Business development

• Supports the identification and development of professional networks, relationships, and partnerships to increase the British Councilu2019s impact and reputation in the Arts.
• Coordinates research in country and regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities.
• Ensures high quality and accurate pipeline data for country and pillar.

Financial management

• Manages and controls the agreed budget, expenditure and income against plans, ensures accuracy of reports and sound financial management and analysis across the portfolio through monthly finance reviews and quarterly business reviews.
• Ensures timely and accurate planning and forecasting, timely reporting of risks, including financial, and identifies opportunities and mitigation actions.
• Ensures compliance to British Council financial policies and procedures.

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

• Actively contributes to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of your own biases, and taking action to mitigate against these. Ensuring people feel valued and are treated equitably, with support for peopleu2019s well-being and mental health.
• Understand the British Councilu2019s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and how it applies to your role and make time for learning and development relating to EDI and anti-racism.

Role specific knowledge and minimum requirements

• Experience in managing arts projects in UAE and/or other Arab countries in MENA.
• Understanding of current trends and practices in arts and creative industry in the UAE and wider Gulf region.
• Experience of building partnerships with a diverse range of arts and culture stakeholders.

Job Function: Finance, Business Analysis & Consulting

Company Industry: Charity / Non-profit / NGO