Cultural Arts & Major Live Music Events Manager

An exciting opportunity to the Sport, Leisure & Culture Service at West Northamptonshire Council.  This new post will support the Head of Sport, Leisure & Culture in attracting and delivering major events in West Northamptonshire, with economic & cultural value and legacy impact.

The post holder will develop a pipeline of Major Live Music and Cultural Arts events, providing a rolling programme that delivers the councils ambition to become a recognised host of leading music and Cultural Arts events.  Support the development of local music and arts organisations to create a strong and vibrant representation of local talent in West Northamptonshire.  Attract internationally recognised artists to headline Live Music and Cultural Arts events, achieving positive impact and growth on the local economy.   Responsible for the oversight and management of partner relations and logistics required to deliver safe, high standard cultural and Music Events across West Northamptonshire.  

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Cycle to Work scheme. 
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme
• Professional subscriptions / registration - if your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

• Provide technical industry knowledge, promoter and artist contacts to develop a pipeline of Major Live Music and Cultural Arts events in West Northamptonshire.
• Lead the procurement and awarding of contracts to promoters, artists and associated bodies required to deliver major events.
• Lead the strategic planning, delivery and evaluation of the council's Major Live Music and Cultural Arts programme. 
• Work in partnership with We Make Northampton (Cultural Compact) collaborative of sector organisations.
• Provide strategic support to all Cultural Arts organisations represented in West Northamptonshire.
• Lead officer for building and strengthening the music and Cultural Arts sector in West Northamptonshire through relationship management with key stakeholders.
• Manage the Cultural Arts & Major LiveMusic Events team.
• Effective budget management.
• Lead officer responsible for the promotion and marketing of all major Cultural Arts and Live Music Events.   
• Develop new initiatives and innovative approaches with quality providers and suppliers that increase attendance and customer satisfaction of the council’s major music and Cultural Arts events.
• Contribute towards the review and implementation of the council’s strategies and policies relating to the Sport, Leisure & Culture Service area, with specific focus on Major Live Music and Cultural Arts development.  

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be a creative, innovative, strategic thinker with management skills to lead teams.
• Confident in own ability to deliver presentations, complex reports and business cases.
• Have good IT and organisational skills.
• Be able to travel around West Northamptonshire. 
• Have substantial knowledge and understanding of event management, licensing legislation, health & safety, emergency and contingency planning relevant to Major Live Music and Cultural Arts events.  
• Knowledge of national organisations with relevant industry experience for the planning, promoting and staging of major cultural and Music Events in England.
• Knowledge of the local Cultural Arts sector in West Northamptonshire.
• Understand the process of fundraising and sponsorship process. 
• Knowledge and understanding of the diverse communities within West Northamptonshire.
• Substantial events management experience in delivering festivals and events with high-quality creative content, including project and programme management and risk analysis/ compliance/ health and safety management.
• Have experience in staff management and budget management including funding agreements and commercial contracts.
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders and partners.  
• Hold an event management qualification at Degree level or demonstrate equivalent experience. 
• Hold a project management qualification or demonstrate equivalent experience.

We're a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we're embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.

Hear more from Anna Earnshaw, our Chief Executive, about working for West Northants Council: https://youtu.be/lV0EfeUF4aU

At West Northants Council, it's about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.