Following a successful year as the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture in 2022 Borough of Culture, which included the opening of Shakespeare North Playhouse, Knowsley is looking forward to building on the ambition for culture, creativity and visitor economy and impacting positively on key priorities for a successful Knowsley.
Knowsley is a priority area for Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery and has excellent strategic relationships with both. It has a new Creative People and Places programme with St Helens, through the award-winning organisation Heart of Glass, and has a very supportive and ambitious Council Leadership and a committed Borough of Culture Steering Group.
Knowsley also has a new organisation, Shakespeare North Playhouse Shakespeare North Playhouse, as well as an exciting and developing cultural and creative sector, and a major visitor attraction in Knowsley Safari. The borough is steeped in a rich history and heritage and this short film from the start of Knowsley’s year as Borough of Culture shines a light on just some of this Knowsley Twenty Two Voices
They now have an exciting opportunity for a new Head of Service for Culture and Visitor Economy to join a dynamic Senior Officer cohort as the lead officer with responsibility for delivering the emerging Cultural Strategy and Delivery Plan for Knowsley, managing and leading the culture teams and being the Council’s strategic Cultural and Visitor Economy lead for Knowsley.
The successful applicant will be the Council’s strategic lead for a number of cross cutting policy agendas, strategies and key partnerships, developing and implementing the Council’s ambitions in respect to culture, creative industries and the visitor economy and their contribution to Knowsley Better Together principles.
They will provide leadership, knowledge and technical expertise on all matters relating to the planning, organisation, management and delivery of Cultural Services, Knowsley’s Cultural Strategy, Creative Industries and the Visitor Economy priorities for Knowsley.
They will have a strong network and establish partnerships with key national, regional and local organisations, acting as the Lead Officer for designated partnerships, contracts, funding applications and bids and projects. This will include collaborative and cross cutting ventures internally and with other agencies, local authorities and organisations, community, voluntary and faith groups.
The successful postholder will also be required to develop innovative approaches and transformation and translate national agendas and policies into local service delivery. This will include decision making and problem solving on complex and diverse issues.
Supporting the Executive Management Team, and Elected Members, to deliver the Council’s vision, priorities and core values, is a key part of this role.
You must be able to demonstrate a robust understanding of current relevant legislation and statutory duties, responsibilities, opportunities and best practice in the fields culture, creativity and visitor economy. Candidates must have experience of working at a senior level in cultural and creativity and of delivering positive outcomes in these areas.
You will need to be an outstanding leader with an exceptional track record of improving and transforming services at a senior level, including demonstrable experience of positively changing culture and behaviours. You will have excellent skills in developing partnerships and high performing teams.
As well as working with colleagues and Elected Members in the Council, you will work closely with our partners and stakeholders to maximise the opportunities for people to engage in cultural activities, grow the cultural and creative sector and strengthen opportunities in the visitor economy, working collaboratively to develop solutions and new ways of working.
You can find out more about the role, person specification and apply online here.
Closing date: 16 January