Work With Us

Recruitment of Programme and Partnerships Manager – freelance contract for 15 weeks Maternity Cover

The Arts and Heritage Alliance Milton Keynes (AHA-MK) is seeking a p/t freelancer with experience of managing arts projects to support the work of AHA-MK, its members and its programmes for approx. 13 weeks, starting w/c 27 September 2021. You will be supported by the AHA-MK Chair and AHA-MK trustees.

AHA-MK is a an alliance of 35 arts and heritage organisations and wider stakeholders in Milton Keynes.  We work collaboratively to advocate for culture as the key driver to ensure Milton Keynes is an outstanding and inspiring place in which to live, work and to visit.  AHA-MK delivers to the MK Creative and Cultural Strategy (CCS) and MK Futures 2050 ‘Big Project 6: Creative and Cultured City’. 

AHA-MK is also the lead agency for MAKE, the Milton Keynes Cultural Education Partnership.

Job Description

Responsible to:                 Chair of the Board of Trustees

Duration:                   Temporary Maternity Cover contract from w/c 27 September 2021 to 7 January 2022 (this includes a handover period with our Programme and Partnerships Manager at the start and in the first week of January).

Purpose of Post

The Programme and Partnerships Manager works closely with the Chair, its arts and heritage members organisations, stakeholders, funders and partners organisations.  You will be supporting:

  • AHA-MK’s core work: its collaborative projects, programmes and initiatives and champioining the rich heritage and creative future of Milton Keynes.
  • MAKE, the Milton Keynes Cultural Education Partnership led by AHA-MK.

Main Responsibilities  

  1. Programme and Project Management and Delivery

Manage ongoing projects and programmes. AHA-MK currently delivers two major programmes (A and B):

A. MK Cultural Inclusion Action Plan: A Programme of Change

  • Maintain the positive relationships already established with diverse communities.
  • Support diverse groups to develop their artistic concept,  commission artists and work with agreed arts and heritage organisations for the MKCF funded Cultural Inclusion Programme of Change (see http://aha-mk.org/inclusion-and-diversity/ for information and to read the Rethinking Cutlural Inclusion and Diversity Summary Report).

B. MAKE, the MK Cultural Education Partnership

Work in close partnership with the the MAKE Chair,  MAKE Steering Group and MAKE Partnership.

  • Support MK College and the Young Creatives programme.
  • Support and extend the cultural experience of young people on the new AHA-MK programme of cultural traineeships (http://aha-mk.org/traineeships/). Skills development and employability training delivered by MK College, 6 work experience placements provided by MK Gallery, MK Arts Centre, Bletchley Park, MK City Discovery Centre, InterAction MK and the Parks Trust.

2. Key Administration Duties: includes:

  • Communicate with members and stakeholders:  reply to queries supporting opportunities for collaboration, prepare a monthly newsletter based on news submitted by members. You will have a communication plan to guide you.
  • Promote culture and creative activity through social media.
  • Support the Chair with one AHA-MK Member Meeting and one AHA-MK Forum in this period.
  • Liaise regularly with the Chair for support, plus two meetings (one October, one November) with the Exec committee of 5 trustees.
  • Support Chair with a report to the Board meeting in December 2021

Person Specification

This role would suit a self-starter, who enjoys a busy and varied workload, is skilled in partnerships, community engagement and working with young people ,and who has a good understanding of and passion for the cultural sector.

Essential Skills and Experience

Ability to work on their own initiative and collaboratively

Strong communication and marketing skills: ability to both write and speak well and persuasively, and experienced in using social media.

Engagement: ability to engage with a range of stakeholders including diverse communities, young people, a range of partners and funders.

Project management:  good organisational skills with an eye for detail, managing priorities and deadlines; understanding of process and basic financial skills/budgets; accountabilty, monitoring and evaluation; ability to embrace challenge.

Enthusiasm for, experience of working in, and understanding of the arts and heritage sector and the importance of cultural education.

A high level of IT literacy

Desirable Experience or Evidence of Transferable Skills

Knowledge of Milton Keynes and its cultural sector.


How to apply

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity means that we understand the richness people with different experiences can bring to our organisation. We welcome applications from everyone who is interested in the post. That means all ethnicities, anyone with a disability, all genders, sexual preferences, socio-economic backgrounds etc..

If you wish to apply, please send an email to Francesca Skelton, Chair of AHA-MK on chair@aha-mk.org  telling us why you are interested in this short term contract and providing information on your experience and how you can meet the essential criteria above.  If you need further information before applying, please email Francesca.

We aim to interview shortlisted candidates on the morning of Wednesday 1 September.  Please let us know if you would be available at this time.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 24 August, 5 pm.

Contract

This 15 week contract is offered at £6,500.  This is an average of 3 days a week for 13 weeks (this excludes the two weeks at Christmas) with room for flexibility.

Payments will be made on the following schedule.

31 October 2021               £1,750

30 November 2021           £1,750

31 December 2021           £1,750

7 January 2022                   £1,250

We look forward to hearing from you.