Head of Arts

Main Accountabilities:

Sector/subject expertise

• Uses their own expert knowledge on the arts and creative industries, intelligence and insight from other sector stakeholders, opinion formers and funders to support the ongoing development of global arts programmes that will meet the specific needs of the Iraq while also providing value to a diverse range of UK arts and creative industry organisations.   
• Through ongoing relationships with the Global Arts team, builds and maintains good understanding of UK arts and creative industry sector priorities as well as Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Her Majesty's Government (HMG) priorities. 
• Represents British Council in country as a recognised, credible authority in Arts and the creative industries to external stakeholders and audiences. 
• Provides input for up-to-date and well-informed senior-level briefings on current and emerging themes in arts and creative industries in country.
• Identifies and develops opportunities for the UK Arts sector to work in and collaborate with peers in country

Leadership & Programme management

• Actively works across the matrix in the Arts network, empowering and enabling colleagues to collaborate on programmes, while promoting equity, diversity and inclusion
• Is responsible for assuring quality and impact and managing issues and risks relating to programme grants, partner agreements and supplier contracts.
• Uses digital platforms and technological advancements to improve efficiency, impact and quality of activity design and delivery
• Manages Arts portfolio day-to-day ensuring global standards on programme and contract management are achieved 
• Provides direct line management and matrix management support to Arts teams in country/across the region as required.
• Ensures effective financial management and compliance - manages and delivers to target, budgets, profitability, timelines, and to corporate quality standards in all areas
• Monitors, reviews and ensures that the portfolio is achieving agreed impact measures,
• Where applicable has responsibility for managing all country contractual obligations on programme or project
• Maintains governance frameworks and manages compliance on projects  
• Oversees procurement, grants management and due diligence on programmes 
• Leads and inspires arts initiatives which actively drive forward to the British Council’s anti-racism action plan. Is accountable for Arts delivering to EDI strategy (to mainstream EDI and become anti-racist in our cultures and practices within our organisation and in our programmes.)

Strategy and planning

• Leads on the planning process for Iraq country arts portfolio, through collaboration with colleagues in globally dispersed programme teams
• Contributes to regional business strategy
• Manages the design, development, delivery, and closure of projects and or programmes as needed
• Develops and nurtures internal relationships across Cultural Engagement to ensure strategic objectives are aligned, understood, and achieved
• Considers the role of digital products, services, and channels in optimising the impact and sustainability of the portfolio, working with regional marketing and digital colleagues.

Relationship & Stakeholders

• Builds and maintains critical country partner relationships relevant to the Arts, and wider cultural sectors, to maintain an excellent understanding of relevant themes and issues in the arts and creative industries. Uses this insight to identify new opportunities and partnerships for the British Council and build favourability for the UK.  
• Builds and maintains a broad, diverse and dynamic network of key creative and cultural sector representatives in-country, including artists, creative professionals, creative hubs, arts organisations, arts advocacy groups, intermediary and sector bodies, etc.
• Builds and maintains the sector institutional relationships that will help open doors for artistic collaboration, cultural exchange and creative economy work.
• Represents British Council Arts externally and internally
• Promotes and positions the diversity of the UK arts and creative industries sector in country
• Ensures British Council’s value proposition and support to the UK arts sector in country is clear, agreed and communicated.
• Ensures that British Council’s reputation for quality and as a valued not-for-profit partner remains high and contributes to our organisational mission of building trust between the UK and other countries.
• Works closely with colleagues and experts in the Strategic Business Unit (SBU) to feed market/customer insights into the programme development planning cycle, to ensure the British Council’s offer is market relevant for the country and the UK, demand-led and consistent with the British Council and FCDO objectives.
• Contributes to the development of internal and external communications materials to highlight impactful stories from the country Arts portfolio

Business Development

• Supports the development and management of relationships with strategic clients and partners.
• Applies due diligence requirements to potential partners.
• Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities.
• Manages a network of associate advisors, consultants and partners.
• Embeds effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management.
• Manages or supports the development of high-quality bids/ proposals.
• Participates in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepares agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements. 
• Ensures timely reporting and communication on externally funded contracts/grant-funded initiatives.
• Participates in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business.

About You (essential requirements for the role): 

• Arabic – written and spoken fluency
• English language is required at an advanced level (C1/C2 according to the CEFR or verifiable equivalent)
• Specialist knowledge and understanding of current trends and practices in arts and creative industry in Iraq. Experience of managing national arts/ creative industry projects  
• Experience of building partnerships with a diverse range of arts and culture stakeholders in country - including governmental and funding partners (trusts, foundations, institutional donors)
• Knowledge/ and or experience of working with at least two types of funding sources within a structured compliance regime.
• Experience of client management, partner management and/or contract management.
• Understanding of MEL principles and experience of managing teams.
• Programme management skills – including portfolio planning, financial management, procurement, risk management and monitoring and evaluation
• Strong network-building skills and an active and up-to-date network of diverse arts sector contacts
• Experience of maintaining effective external and internal programme/project governance structures
• Able to lead digital events on basic platforms (Microsoft Teams) ensuring all corporate standards are met, including those for accessibility and safeguarding  

Please note:

This role may require domestic/international travel/attendance at some evening or weekend events.

 Please note that all applications should be submitted in English only.

It is advisable to apply in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last moment

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