Arts Programmer – Arts Students’ Union (UAL), London, UK

Institution: Arts Students’ Union / University of the Arts London
Reports to: Arts Programme Manager
Contract: Part-time (28 hours/week)
Salary: £34,022.09 FTE (pro rata £27,218)
Location: Hybrid – minimum 2 office days per week
Workplace: Across six UAL Central London sites (mainly High Holborn)
Working Pattern: Includes occasional evenings, weekends, and off-site events

The Arts Programmer works collaboratively across Arts SU teams to design and deliver a high-quality, inclusive arts programme aligned with the values and needs of UAL’s student membership. The role contributes to strategic and operational planning, supports professional development initiatives, and helps build creative communities across UAL colleges.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, programme, and deliver a diverse arts programme, including events and exhibitions

• Lead day-to-day coordination of arts projects, including logistics, scheduling, and stakeholder management

• Collaborate with Arts SU teams on cross-departmental and high-visibility projects

• Maintain and develop relationships with external arts and cultural organisations

• Identify and establish new partnerships and opportunities for student creative development

• Contribute evidence-based ideas to strategic and operational planning

• Manage cross-college and externally funded projects

• Support funding and sponsorship applications

• Promote programmes via Arts SU digital channels

• Act as on-site lead for events, ensuring Health & Safety, Fire Regulations, and Risk Assessments are met

• Supervise student staff and support volunteers in line with SU policies

• Provide high-quality customer service and act as a key point of contact for enquiries

• Coordinate financial administration, invoicing, and record-keeping with Finance teams

• Support contracts and legal discussions, escalating when required

• Prioritise engagement with low-participation student groups

• Monitor, record, and analyse student engagement data and feedback

• Support major Students’ Union events (e.g. Welcome, Awards, Elections)

• Work closely with Sabbatical Officers and facilitate officer engagement

Person Specification (Summary)

Knowledge & Experience

• Understanding of Students’ Unions or democratic / voluntary organisations

• Awareness of key issues affecting FE and HE students

• Experience in arts programming, exhibitions, and event management

• Proven commitment to continuous professional development

• Experience coordinating multiple projects using structured or agile approaches

Skills

• Strong project coordination and stakeholder management skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• Ability to engage audiences and build creative communities

• Confident working independently and within high-visibility teams

• Strong customer care and problem-solving abilities

• Experience working in fast-paced, fluctuating environments

• Effective use of systems and software to improve efficiency

Behaviours & Values

• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

• Desire to work in a democratic, student-led environment

• High standards of integrity and professionalism

• Passion for creative practice and supporting emerging artists

• Commitment to using skills and knowledge to support others