Relationship Manager, Visual Arts

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Organisation: British Council
Location: London, Belfast, Edinburgh or Cardiff, UK
Contract: Indefinite local contract
Salary: £32,381 gross per annum
Pay band: 7
Application deadline: 13 September 2026 at 7 pm UK time

About the Role

The British Council is seeking a knowledgeable and highly motivated Relationship Manager to provide specialist expertise and leadership across its Visual Arts programmes.

The successful candidate will support programme development, partnership building and high-quality delivery, helping programmes achieve their strategic objectives and meet global and local requirements. The role will contribute to the British Council’s wider cultural relations mission.

The Visual Arts team fosters international connections and a shared sense of purpose among artists, curators, organisations and practitioners responding to the social, cultural and environmental challenges of our time.

It supports UK visual arts organisations and artists in developing international networks and collaborative opportunities through exchange programmes, delegations, showcases, grants and other sector-development initiatives.

Main Responsibilities

Sector Expertise

The Relationship Manager will:

Maintain a strong understanding of trends, opportunities and developments across the UK and international visual arts sectors.
Use sector knowledge to inform programme development and strategic decision-making.
Develop and maintain an active network of artists, curators, organisations, funders and sector leaders.
Provide specialist advice and guidance to colleagues across the British Council.
Ensure programmes reflect sector best practice, artistic excellence and organisational priorities.
Identify emerging issues, opportunities and areas for innovation that could strengthen the organisation’s visual arts work and cultural relations impact.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Management

Responsibilities include:

Developing and managing strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders.
Identifying new partnerships that could extend the reach, sustainability and impact of the Visual Arts portfolio.
Working across internal and external networks to support coordinated planning and delivery.
Representing the British Council at sector events, meetings and public engagements.

Programme Development and Delivery

The successful candidate will:

Lead or contribute to exhibition partnerships, exchange initiatives and collaborative programmes.
Ensure programmes are strategically relevant, financially viable and culturally impactful.
Oversee approved programmes and exhibitions, including planning, risk management, evaluation and stakeholder engagement.
Provide quality assurance and specialist advice to programmes delivered by colleagues, partners and external organisations.
Support the development and use of the British Council Collection to strengthen international engagement and showcase the breadth of contemporary visual arts practice in the UK.
Ensure that programme information, learning and resources are accurately recorded and shared.

Business Development and Income Generation

The role will contribute to fundraising, sponsorship and resource development supporting programme growth and sustainability.

The Relationship Manager will identify opportunities for partnership investment, international touring, co-commissioning and income generation, as well as support the development of programme proposals and partnership cases for support.

Leadership and Collaboration

The successful candidate will:

Plan and prioritise work across multiple projects.
Balance strategic and operational responsibilities.
Lead project teams where required, including colleagues, contractors, consultants and partner organisations.
Share knowledge and expertise across teams.
Contribute to organisational improvement and innovation.
Champion equity, diversity and inclusion and contribute to anti-racist and inclusive working practices.

Financial and Resource Management

The Relationship Manager will manage project and programme budgets in accordance with British Council policies and procedures.

They will monitor expenditure, forecasts and financial performance to support the effective use of resources and ensure delivery within agreed budgets.

Essential Experience

Applicants must have:

Extensive knowledge of the contemporary UK visual arts sector, including its artists, curators, institutions, funding structures and current debates.
The ability to exercise sound professional judgement across a range of artistic practices and contexts.
A strong and active professional network within the UK visual arts sector.
Evidence of developing productive partnerships and collaborative opportunities.
Substantial recent professional experience in the UK visual arts sector, including exhibition-making and working directly with artists and curators.
Experience delivering programmes with partners in a variety of contexts.
Strong relationship-management skills and the ability to collaborate across teams and with external stakeholders.
A demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Experience managing small to medium-sized project budgets and controlling costs.
Written and verbal proficiency in English.

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

Working internationally or across different cultural contexts.
Managing programmes and projects delivered through external partners, suppliers or outsourcing arrangements.
Initiating new projects.
Managing marketing and communications activity for projects.
Managing effective project evaluation.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The British Council will not provide visa sponsorship, mobility assistance or relocation support for this position.

Hybrid working may be available, subject to approval from line management and the operational requirements of the role.

All applications must be submitted in English.

About the British Council

The British Council supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

For 90 years, it has created international opportunities through education, arts, culture, language and creativity. The organisation works with people in more than 200 countries and territories and has an on-the-ground presence in over 100 countries.