Culture and Heritage Coordinator London, England
Job description
About this job
Based in Barking and Dagenham Council's ambitious and dynamic Culture and Heritage Service, the purpose of this role is to support the delivery and development of a vibrant culture and heritage programme which places local residents at its heart. Working alongside Curators, Archivists, Project Managers, Artists in Residence and other colleagues across the Service, this role will support the Head of Culture and Heritage and wider Management Team to achieve its strategic aims at an exciting time in which an engaged cultural landscape is evolving in the borough. The Culture and Heritage Coordinator will provide both hands-on and administrative support to help us see through important key projects as we move forward with the establishment of new and evolving arts and heritage partnerships, and as we continue to see increased investment in cultural infrastructure on the ground.
This role will work across projects and initiatives that form part of the strategic priorities of the Culture and Heritage Service, and be based on location 3 days a week (Wednesday-Friday); in the first instance the role will be based primarily at our Grade 1-listed heritage site Eastbury Manor House in Barking.
Like all roles within Service, the focus of the Culture and Heritage Coordinator is to support collaboration with a wide diversity of local residents, as well as to support partnership building with creative partners - including our ongoing projects involving both local and national organisations such as: National Trust, National Heritage Lottery Fund, Creative Barking and Dagenham, UCL Pearl, Arts Council England, Tate Galleries, Studio 3 Arts, Arc Theatre, Wigmore Hall, Greenshoes Arts, South London Gallery and The White House to name only a few.
Re-applying for posts
Applicants who have not been shortlisted or who are unsuccessful at interview cannot reapply for the same job if it’s within 6 months of the first advert – for further information please refer to our Jobs and Career Page - ‘Working for us and Information for Applicants’ on our website
Special requirements for this post
Specific Accountabilities of the Role:
To coordinate delivery and provide administrative support for emerging culture and heritage programmes, working across the council and with Culture and Heritage colleagues.
To provide support for collaborative initiatives with partners, funders, artists, architects, consultants and residents.
To coordinate practical aspects of delivery and working groups for a range of projects including gathering data/information and updating relevant websites (ie New Town Culture, Eastbury Manor House and Becontree Forever websites).
To support development of new projects which expand LBBD's Culture and Heritage programme working closely with the Head of Culture, Culture and Heritage management colleagues and others to identify strategic partnerships/opportunities for wider investment into culture and heritage infrastructure for the borough.
To minute, document and support communication of Culture and Heritage Service programme activities including events, workshops, exhibitions, infrastructure development etc using a range of media (e.g. words, photography, video, audio), and to ensure projects and programmes are communicated effectively to internal LBBD stakeholders, colleagues and external partners/residents.
To support the engagement and mobilisation of residents and teams across the council to take part in Culture and Heritage initiatives, ensuring that council teams and residents are properly involved in the delivery and development of key projects and strategic initiatives.
To provide general administrative support to the Service, including raising purchase orders, compiling reports and supporting grant applications.
To provide on-site programmes and visitor support at our Culture and Heritage sites as required (particularly at Eastbury Manor House where this role will be based in the first instance.)
Where appropriate, to be the main point of contact for culture and heritage programmes both internally and to external stakeholders.
Please note: This role may at times require evening and weekend working to support our ongoing Culture and Heritage public programme and related activities.
About you
You are interested in the arts, local heritage and want to work meaningfully to support our diverse local cultural community to grow and flourish. You will be collaborative, empathetic and passionate in your approach, and use your skills, experience and knowledge to support our team of Culture and Heritage staff (and where relevant, our borough partners) to deliver an ambitious programme of inclusive, community-engaged activity in the borough. With excellent verbal and written communication skills alongside analytical ability and a willingness to learn, you will have demonstrable organisational skills and are able to work effectively with colleagues. You have a broad fluency to work with digital platforms, websites and a high literacy with computer/online applications.
You enjoy working with a diversity of people and will welcome the opportunity to collaborate with a range of stakeholders including: cultural partners and local residents in the borough, colleagues across the Council, the National Trust, Arts Council England and other funding bodies and sectors to help the Culture and Heritage Service meet community needs.
About us
The Culture and Heritage Service at London Borough of Barking and Dagenham leads an ambitious commissioning programme, enabling new connections, learning opportunities and engagement for local people in the arts. As a busy and dynamic team comprising curators, archivists and arts and heritage officers, we have strong partnerships established with both national and local arts, community and cultural organisations including: Goldsmith's University, UCL, Arc Theatre, Tate, South London Gallery, Greenshoes Arts, Studio 3 Arts, Barking & Dagenham Youth Dance, Creative Barking & Dagenham, The White House, Serpentine Galleries, National Trust and many more. We operate accredited museum and archive spaces and heritage sites including Valence House Museum and Archives and Eastbury Manor House, where this role will be based.
This is an exciting time to join the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham as we have been on a journey over the last few years, one that has seen us transform the council and the way we deliver our services. Our borough is vibrant and diverse, and this is something we are proud of. We value the diversity of people who live, work and visit Barking and Dagenham and it is our vision is to create a place where people understand, respect and celebrate each other’s differences. In addition to this, we offer a competitive pay package, a positive approach to flexible working, investment in your learning and development as well as a commitment to your wellbeing.
