Senior Manager Operations South West (SWB6)

Contract: Permanent working 35 hours per week(Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility)

Salary: 49045 per annum plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme generous annual leave and flexible and hybrid working.

Location: Bristol (The role will be based in Bristol; however we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team normally 1-2 days a week)

We are looking for a highly skilled collaborative individual to join the South West Area Team as Senior Manager Operations on a permanent basis.

In this role you will coordinate business processes at an Area level managing the flow of business dealt with by the South West Area Management Team ensuring alignment with our national framework and Arts Council Englands 10-year strategy Lets Create.

You will oversee the systems and processes that our team uses to support the practical day-to-day operation of the South West Area team including line management of the Operations team to support this. You will champion inclusive practices and work collaboratively and effectively both in the South West Area and with colleagues nationally. Alongside the South West Area Management Team you will work nationally with the four other Senior Managers Operations in the Area teams (North Midlands South East & London) and colleagues in our Investment Centre acting as the link into the Area team.

Ongoing duties include reviewing risk registers relating to the Area funding portfolio; supporting the team with queries relating to grant processes; working with the finance team to manage budgets for National Lottery Project Grants other funding programmes and administration in Area; chairing regular operational meetings; providing advice to Directors in Area.

It is expected that the successful candidate will have considerable knowledge and understanding of systems and processes with highly developed leadership skills and proven experience of leading supporting and mentoring teams.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer building an inclusive workplace and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However you identify and whatever background you bring with you we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.

If there are any adjustments that would support you in your application please do let us know when you apply. If you are disabled Evenbreak are able to provide support with your application. For further information please visit their website here

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 theyre 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. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.

About us: Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme. To find out more click here.

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

We believe our recruitment process should be inclusive and transparent. Find out what to expect with our applicationGuidance: How to apply and recruitment selection process Arts Council England and more about our commitment to diversity on our website here.

To view the job description please click here

To view the recruitment pack which outlines more details about working for Arts Council please clickhere

Job ref: SWB6

Closing date: 09:30am Monday 1 December 25

1^st Interview: (virtual) Wednesday 10 December 25 or Friday 19 December 25

2^nd Interview: (virtual) Thursday 8 January 2026

Please note: We do NOT accept CVs or cover letters as part of our recruitment process. If you require any documentation in an alternative format please contact