Programme Manager

About the organisation

The British Council works to encourage peace and shared prosperity by creating links, mutual understanding, and trust between people in the UK and around the world. For nine decades, it has helped shape better futures through education, the arts, culture, language, and creativity. Operating with people in more than 200 countries and territories, it has a presence on the ground in over 100 countries.

Its motto is simple: it connects and inspires.

Role overview

This position is an indefinite contract at Pay Band 6, based in Auckland, New Zealand. The closing date for applications is 12 July 2026 at 23:59 UK time. Interviews are anticipated during the week of 20 July, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted with further details.

Role context

The New Zealand and Pacific team is focused on strengthening its reputation and partnerships across New Zealand and the Pacific through high-quality arts initiatives delivered with strategic partners. These programmes are intended to spotlight UK creativity and promote a positive story about the UK. Pacific engagement will mainly be coordinated through major centres in New Zealand or remotely, in close collaboration with the Pacific Islands Network of UK High Commissions and with priority countries including Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga.

The work will centre on partnership brokering, capability building across communities, organisations, and governments, and the delivery of bespoke and digital initiatives. The role will also support opportunities with government and higher education stakeholders, especially in the areas of arts, cultural heritage, Māori and Pacific cultural exchange, and climate-related themes.

Role purpose

The Programme Manager, Arts will deliver in-country activity through one or both of the global Arts programmes: Arts in Action and Creative Growth. The role also includes additional duties assigned by the Country Director. Working within a small country team, the postholder will manage partner and stakeholder relationships and collaborate closely with colleagues in other countries and across the global arts network, including joint work on global programmes.

Main accountabilities

• Applies knowledge of local arts and creative industries, along with wider sector intelligence, to help deliver global arts programmes that suit country priorities while also benefiting UK arts and creative industry organisations.
• Develops a strong understanding of UK arts and creative industry priorities through ongoing collaboration with global arts colleagues.
• Seeks opportunities for UK arts organisations to engage and collaborate with counterparts in country.
• Provides specialist input into the design of arts activities so they remain relevant to local arts and creative industry needs.
• Works closely with Arts global teams on programme delivery and coordination.
• Oversees the day-to-day running of arts activities and ensures compliance with global programme and contract management standards.
• Supports the embedding of EDI principles and anti-racist practices in organisational culture and programme delivery.
• Contributes to regional planning for the country’s arts portfolio.
• Builds internal relationships that help strategic goals stay aligned, understood, and achieved.
• Considers how digital tools, channels, and services can improve impact and long-term sustainability, in coordination with regional marketing and digital colleagues.
• Maintains relationships with arts and wider cultural partners to stay informed about key issues and themes in the sector.
• Develops and sustains a broad, varied, and active network of creative and cultural leaders in country.
• Promotes the range and diversity of the UK arts and creative industries sector in country.
• Ensures the British Council’s offer to the UK arts sector is clearly communicated and that its reputation as a high-quality, trusted not-for-profit partner remains strong.
• Contributes to communications content that showcases impactful stories from the country arts portfolio.
• Manages budgets for small arts projects and activities and raises any financial issues quickly.
• Handles issues with internal and external stakeholders and escalates them when needed.
• Holds delivery partners, team members, and consultants accountable for agreed outputs.
• Owns delivery of the project management plan.
• Where required, prepares contracts with partners, working with specialist colleagues as needed.
• Manages procurement, grants administration, and due diligence related to arts activity.
• Produces reporting for project and programme management.

Requirements

• A university degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong awareness of current trends and practices in the local arts and creative industries.
• Prior experience working on national arts or creative industry initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the in-country arts and creative industries landscape, with evidence of using that knowledge in programme delivery.
• Experience delivering national or large-scale arts and creative industry programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage end-to-end project or programme delivery, including planning, implementation, and reporting against objectives.
• Experience handling project budgets and financial processes, including forecasting and expenditure tracking.
• Clear experience building and managing partnerships with arts, cultural, or public sector stakeholders.
• Experience using procurement, grants, and contract management processes in project delivery.
• Working knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including using data to guide decisions and strengthen outcomes.
• Experience spotting delivery risks and putting mitigation measures in place.
• Desirable: understanding of UK arts and creative industries and experience supporting international collaboration or exchange.
• Desirable: experience working in multicultural or international settings with intercultural awareness and inclusive practice.
• This role requires work beyond standard hours to support business needs and collaboration across UK and New Zealand time zones.
• The role is highly process-oriented and requires flexibility, a willingness to contribute across different tasks, and support for shared team goals.
• The position currently follows a hybrid working arrangement, which can be discussed further with the line manager during recruitment.

Additional information

The British Council promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all parts of the community. It believes a diverse workforce strengthens its work. The organisation is a Disability Confident Employer and guarantees an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements. It is also open to discussing adjustments that help candidates participate fully in the recruitment process and wider work.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults. It supports safe environments and protection from abuse, maltreatment, and exploitation. Appointments involving direct contact with vulnerable groups depend on the completion of thorough checks in line with legal requirements and the organisation’s safeguarding policies for adults and children.

If you have difficulty submitting your application, you may contact askhr@britishcouncil.org.

Important employment conditions

Applicants must already hold the permanent legal right to work in New Zealand at the time they apply. Visa sponsorship and relocation support are not offered for this role.

Contract type: indefinite. Pay band: 6. Location: Auckland, New Zealand.

The role is open to candidates who can work in a hybrid arrangement and are able to meet the time-zone and out-of-hours requirements described above.