Arts Partnership Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. Role Purpose: * The Arts Partnership Manager will support the Country Director (CD) Australia to develop, secure and steward strategic partnerships and funding opportunities that strengthen the British Council’s arts and cultural relations work in Australia. * The role will provide practical leadership on partnership development activity, including prospect research, opportunity identification, proposal development, coordination of internal approvals, and management of partnership pipelines. * Working closely with the CD and other Arts colleagues, the postholder will help translate strategic conversations with government, corporate and philanthropic stakeholders into compelling Arts partnership propositions and funded opportunities. * The role will support relationship management with key Australian federal, state and local government departments and agencies, foundations, trusts, philanthropists, corporate partners, peak bodies and cultural institutions, helping to ensure partnerships are effectively cultivated and maintained. * The postholder will coordinate the preparation of high-quality funding applications, partnership agreements, briefing papers, reports and presentations aligned to British Council priorities and governance requirements. * The role will meet annual targets and develop sustainable partnership and income-generation strategies that support the growth and impact of the Cultural Engagement portfolio in Australia. * The role will support effective stewardship and reporting for Arts partners and funders, ensuring excellent communication, compliance and relationship management throughout the partnership lifecycle. * The postholder will help ensure due diligence, financial management, risk management and partnership governance processes are implemented consistently and accurately. * As a new role within the Australia team, the Arts Partnership Manager will contribute to embedding a collaborative, inclusive and opportunity-focused approach to partnership development in Arts and across Cultural Engagement. Role Context: * Cultural Engagement (CE) is one of two global strategic business units within the British Council. It brings together our work in Arts, Education, English and School Education and research. * With a workforce of approximately 1,000 globally and annual income of around £200 million, CE delivers impact through research and insight, sector engagement, policy dialogue and a mixed portfolio of commercial and grant and partnership funded work. * CE delivers much of its work through global programmes and programmatic frameworks aligned to the British Council’s strategic outcomes and international priorities. * The British Council’s Arts teams in the UK and across the global network work collaboratively with artists, cultural organisations, creative industries and policy stakeholders to build trust, foster international collaboration and support inclusive growth through the arts. * Australia represents an important strategic partner for the UK in culture, education and international engagement, with strong opportunities for collaboration across the creative industries, higher education and policy development. Climate, innovation and equity, diversity and inclusion are focus areas across these sectors. * The British Council Australia Arts portfolio works with artists, organisations, governments and creative sector partners to support long-term cultural exchange between Australia, the UK and the Indo-Pacific region. * There is increasing opportunity to secure co-investment and strategic partnerships from Australian government, philanthropy and corporate stakeholders to support arts programming, sector development and cultural diplomacy objectives in Australia and internationally. * The Country Director currently leads senior external relationships and strategic partnership conversations, with this role created to strengthen operational partnership development capacity and accelerate the conversion of opportunities into funded programmes and partnerships. * The role operates within a complex matrix environment, requiring close collaboration with colleagues across Australia, the wider region, the UK and global Arts and Cultural Engagement teams. * Our programme framework - Our Arts teams in the UK and in our global network of offices, work together with the arts and culture sectors to achieve significant impact and change by finding new ways of connecting and seeing each other through the arts and contribute directly to peace and prosperity. Our work is delivered through two global programmes. Art in Action connects UK and international artists and creative organisations, encourages innovative collaborations and supports them to access new markets and audiences around the world. We enable creatives to play a part in addressing global challenges and support under-represented groups to be heard. Creative Growth supports the UK and countries around the world to unlock inclusive and sustainable economic growth and innovation through advocacy, sector development and showcase programmes for the creative and cultural industries. Accountabilities/Responsibilities: Strategy and Planning * Meets income targets by developing and implementing partnership and income-generation strategies for the Cultural Engagement portfolio in Australia, aligned to British Council country, regional and global priorities. * Works closely with the Country Director and programme team to identify and progress strategic partnership and funding opportunities with government, corporate and philanthropic stakeholders. * Maintains oversight of partnership pipelines, priorities and timelines, ensuring opportunities are tracked and progressed effectively. * Contributes to business planning processes and supports the integration of partnership development activity into programme and operational planning. Business development and partnerships * Leads the coordination and development of high-quality partnership proposals, funding submissions, concept notes, presentations and partnership agreements. * Undertakes prospect research and stakeholder mapping to identify new partnership and funding opportunities aligned to organisational priorities and values. * Supports the Country Director in preparing for external meetings, presentations, negotiations and strategic engagement activity. * Coordinates internal input into partnership opportunities, ensuring contributions from programme, finance, marketing and operational colleagues are secured in a timely manner. * Supports the stewardship and management of existing partners and funders, ensuring strong communication, reporting and relationship and event management. * Represents British Council Arts in relevant sector, partnership and stakeholder meetings as required. Relationship and stakeholder management * Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues across Cultural Engagement, global Arts teams and wider British Council functions. * Has existing networks, and builds relationships with key external stakeholders in Australia including government agencies, cultural institutions, foundations, trusts, philanthropists, corporate organisations and sector networks. * Supports collaborative working with UK and international partners to develop and deliver partnership opportunities and programme activity. * Contributes to positioning the British Council as a credible, trusted and innovative partner within the Australian arts and creative industries sector. Programme and operational management * Supports the development and implementation of funding agreements, contracts, grants and partnership documentation in line with British Council processes and policies. * Coordinates due diligence, governance, compliance and risk management processes relating to partnerships and funding arrangements. * Monitors partnership deliverables, reporting schedules and financial commitments, ensuring obligations are met accurately and on time. * Supports budget monitoring, financial reporting and resource planning associated with partnership and funded programme activity. * Maintains accurate records, reporting systems and partnership documentation in line with organisational requirements. Leadership and organisational contribution * Works collaboratively across teams to strengthen partnership development capability and knowledge sharing within the Australia office and wider network. * Contributes to an inclusive, equitable and anti-racist organisational culture, recognising and addressing barriers to participation and representation. * Demonstrates British Council values and behaviours in all aspects of work and supports a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement Work experience: Minimum / Essential Requirements * Significant experience and successful track record in partnerships, business development, fundraising, stakeholder engagement or related roles within the arts, cultural, international relations or not-for-profit sectors. * Significant experience working with Australian government stakeholders, foundations, trusts, corporate partners or philanthropists. * Strong knowledge of, networks in, the Australian arts funding landscape. * Experience supporting the development and delivery of funding proposals, partnership agreements or grant applications. * Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex projects and manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. * Experience preparing high-quality written materials including reports, presentations, briefing papers and external communications. * Experience supporting financial management, budgeting or reporting processes. * Strong understanding of partnership management, governance, compliance and due diligence processes. * Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English. Desirable Requirements * Experience working in an international cultural relations or public diplomacy context. * Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary or geographically dispersed teams. * Knowledge of UK-Australia cultural or creative sector collaboration. * Experience working with public funding bodies or international development programmes. * Experience using CRM or partnership pipeline management systems Important Information * Language requirements: The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required * British Council Pay Band: 7/F * Department: Cultural Engagement * Contract type: 2 years Fixed Term Contract * Salary: 130,000 AUD + super * Working location: Sydney or Melbourne, Australia * Proof of Identity requirements/right to work in country: Candidates should ensure they have natural legal right to live and work in the country where the role is based. Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance are not provided. * Closing Date: 30 August 2026 (23:59 AEST) A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities. Safeguarding Statement The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children. If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org