Director of Culture & Creative Industries

Town Hall Extension, Albert Square,
Manchester, M60 2LA

£111,669 - £123,071

Manchester

About the role

Director of Culture & Creative Industries
Salary: £111,669 – £123,071

Shape one of the world’s most distinctive cultural cities

Manchester is a global cultural city with a powerful local identity. Culture is central to the city’s growth, regeneration and sense of place, and following the announcement that Dave Moutrey is retiring, we are seeking an exceptional Director of Culture & Creative Industries to lead at a pivotal moment.

This is one of the most senior local authority culture roles in the UK, with significant national and international influence. The role provides strategic leadership for Manchester’s cultural and creative ecosystem, from world class institutions and major events to grassroots venues, creative businesses and neighbourhood based activity.

Reporting to the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods), you will act as Senior Responsible Officer for our Always Everywhere: Manchester’s Cultural Ambition 2024–2034, and lead delivery of the Manchester Creative Industries Strategy. You will ensure culture and creativity are embedded across council priorities including inclusive economic growth, regeneration, skills, health and zero —-carbon ambitions.

You will:

Provide clear, visible leadership for culture, creative industries and major cultural programmes.

Chair and strengthen citywide governance, including the Cultural Strategy Partnership Board, Creative Industries Leadership Group and Events Commission.

Lead significant capital, commissioning and regeneration activity linked to culture and creative industries.

Secure investment and drive innovation, commercial development and crosssector partnerships.

Represent and advocate for Manchester locally, nationally and internationally with government, funders and global cultural networks.

Lead and grow a multidisciplinary service, building new creative industries capacity within the Council.

We are looking for a nationally credible cultural leader with significant senior level experience in the cultural or creative industries, public sector or similarly complex environments. You will bring a strong track record in creative industries development, investment and partnership working, alongside financial and commercial acumen.

You will be politically astute, emotionally intelligent and a confident communicator able to navigate complex issues, convene diverse partners and deliver at pace. A deep understanding of UK cultural policy, the role of local government and a genuine commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and neighbourhood access are essential.

This is a rare opportunity to shape Manchester’s cultural future, balancing global ambition with local community impact in a city that takes culture seriously and expects delivery.

For more details and to apply visit Job – GatenbySanderson or contact:

Rebekah Herz-Bauman: rebekah.herz-bauman@gatenbysanderson.com

Gary Evans: Gary.Evans@gatenbysanderson.com
Carmel Bell: carmel.bell@gatenbysanderson.com

Closing date: Week Commencing 25th May 2026

In person panels: Tuesday 30th June & Wednesday 1st July 2026

Apply Now

Useful links

Associated Documents

Always Everywhere:
Manchester’s Cultural Ambition

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Welcome Statement – Neil Fairlamb
Strategic Director Neighbourhoods

Our Director of Culture & Creative Industries holds a pivotal leadership position at a defining moment for our city and its cultural future.

For some time, we have taken a bold and ambitious approach to culture, and we are not taking our foot off the gas. Significant projects are already in motion, and the Director of Culture will play a critical role in reshaping the team, strengthening organisational capacity, and enabling the step change we want to achieve across the cultural and creative landscape.

Culture sits at the heart of our ambitions—not only as a driver of economic growth, but as a force for social impact and placemaking. There is strong political and executive support for this, reflecting a shared belief in its power to transform lives, communities and the city as a whole.

This leadership role needs someone who listens deeply and works inclusively, engaging across our diverse communities, from small grassroots organisations in neighbourhoods such as Wythenshawe, North Manchester and Moss Side, to major cultural institutions operating on an international stage. A key priority will be co-authoring our cultural strategy with the sector and our communities, ensuring it is collectively owned, relevant and future facing.

The Director of Culture will oversee a rich and varied portfolio, balancing globally significant events and institutions with vital support for grassroots culture, including music venues and communityled initiatives that are essential to the city’s creative ecosystem.

Major capital and legacy projects form part of this exciting agenda, including the refurbishment of Bridgewater Hall and the development of the Wythenshawe Culture Hub—a new model focused on partnership and community ownership. Alongside this, there is a strong commitment to diversifying the cultural workforce and ensuring that opportunity, representation and inclusion are embedded across everything we do.

Manchester is internationally renowned for its cultural contribution, but our ambition goes further. As the most linguistically diverse city in Europe, we believe our diversity is our superpower. The Director of Culture will ensure that access, participation and inclusive growth remain central—connecting global excellence with local pride and making culture something that is Always Everywhere, for everyone.

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead culture on a global stage while staying deeply rooted in communities, I look forward to hearing from you.