Cultural Projects Manager

We have an exciting opportunity available to join our Culture team on a full-time basis which is fixed term for 18 months to lead on the project management of the Shildon and Newton Aycliffe Heritage Strategic place, one of the first national heritage lottery funded strategic heritage places in the country. The successful candidate, will ensure that the ambitions of the communities are realised and in this is the first phase, will put in place the building blocks for the next 10 years of the partnership. WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will work with communities and partnerships to develop an evidence baseline and theory of change for the life of our Strategic Partnership, scope future development of key heritage assets to ensure they are resilient and sustainable long-term, and place children and young people (CYP) at the heart of heritage place making as agents of change through our Place Lab programme. Our hope is that through this, the people of Shildon & Newton Aycliffe will feel pride in their connection to heritage reflecting both the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of our globally significant past, as well as looking to our future. Initial scoping work will set out our ambitions for Shildon, the World's first railway town, to be recognised as a World Heritage Site, for our CYP and others to have access to heritage professions and skills, and for sustainable heritage-led regeneration that boosts the local economy., Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce INTERVIEWS Interviews will be held on Friday 7th February 2025 in person at Locomotion, Shildon. Candidates to prepare a 10 min presentation on a subject linked to the project. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

A relevant degree or substantial experience in relevant field e.g. history, heritage, culture, project management. Evidence of continuing professional development. You must have significant project management experience within a cultural discipline/ organisation, including the delivery of targets within a limited timescale along with experience in managing co-ordinating, monitoring and evaluating of complex projects including practical experience of working in multi-disciplinary professional teams both internal and external to the Council. Experience of arranging legal and contract documentation and of establishing, developing and maintaining key partnerships and relationships to support programmes is essential.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits