Job Title: Programme Manager: UK Commissions 

Responsible to: Senior Producer 

Responsible for: Officer, Administrator, suppliers, freelancers, and artists  

Type of Contract: Permanent, full-time, 40 hours per week 

Salary: £33,063 (starting salary within a pay band that goes up to £44,084) 

About the Role

 This is a key role leading the delivery of Unlimited’s UK Commissions programme. You’ll be responsible for managing commissioning processes from start to finish, working closely with artists, partners, and colleagues to deliver high-quality and inclusive opportunities for disabled artists across the UK. With a focus on collaboration, strategic planning, and clear communication, you’ll help shape a programme that is ambitious, equitable, and artist-centred.  

Strategic oversight and delivery of commissions – 65% 

• Provide strategic leadership for Unlimited’s UK-wide Commissions programme, with accountability for the successful planning, delivery, and continuous development of the annual Open and Partner Commissions processes. 
• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of all UK commissioning activity, ensuring operational excellence, alignment with organisational goals, and delivery against strategic timelines and targets. 
• Manage complex stakeholder relationships across the UK, ensuring transparent, timely communication and active consultation with partners, artists, and sector collaborators. 
• Lead the selection process for UK Commissions rounds, including panel member recruitment, onboarding and engagement. Maintain accurate records using the organisation’s Customer Relations Management System (CRM) and ensure stakeholder data is up to date and well-managed. 
• Own the programme management of all UK commissions spanning micro’s, strategics’ and annual main awards. Coordinating workflows across departments, streamlining systems and processes, and maintaining clear project documentation to ensure seamless team collaboration. 
• Hold responsibility for budget management across the Commissions programme, in collaboration with the Senior Producer and Finance team. This includes budget forecasting, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring all financial processes and communications are accurate and timely. 
• Collaborate with the Senior Producer to establish, monitor, and adjust timelines for all commissioning work, providing high-level oversight and proactive risk management. 
• Work in partnership with the Communications team to design and deliver a strategic communications plan that ensures clarity, visibility, and engagement across key audiences and touchpoints. 
• Oversee the development and preparation of partnership agreements, memorandums of understanding, and artist contracts, ensuring compliance and clarity for all involved parties. 
• Lead on the delivery and integration of evaluation processes across the commissions strand, working with our Data Co-ordinator and external evaluators to enhance learning and impact. 

People management and leadership – 15%

• Line management of Programme Officer and Administrator, supporting their performance and development through regular supervision, performance reviews, and day-to-day oversight of delegated responsibilities. 
• Act as a senior contact point for a portfolio of commissioned artists, offering consistent support, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring a positive and productive commissioning experience. 
• Manage freelance contracts and relationships with external suppliers, overseeing deliverables and ensuring quality and value for money. 
• Contribute to strategic discussions on artist development and programme evolution, championing inclusive practice and innovation across the commissions strand. 

Member of the programme team - 10% 

• Work proactively as a member of the programme team, working closely with the Senior producer and wider programme team to deliver of Unlimited programmes and projects. 
• Provide back up support for key projects and relationships as designated.  

Other Duties – 10%  

• Attend all staff, programme and project meetings as well as away days as required.  
• Adhering to Unlimited’s values and our policies and procedures; contributing to their development to make them more accessible and inclusive.  
• Championing intersectionality and diversity in all its forms.  
• Representing Unlimited as required at external events. 
• Working collaboratively and supporting other staff in their areas of work when  required. 
• Any other  duties that may from time be required by the Senior Producer and Director.      

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure its accuracy and validity. For any questions regarding the information above please contact Unlimited’s Senior Producer Cat Sheridan by emailing cat@weareunlimited.org.uk 

What we’re looking for?  

This is the person specification for this role. We expect those applying to meet all the essential requirements and have some of the desirable ones too.  

Essential Criteria: 

• Programme and  project leadership: Demonstrable experience in managing large-scale, multi-strand programmes or commissioning projects across multiple regions. Ability to design, implement and monitor strategic plans and ensure timely delivery against objectives. 
• People and stakeholder management: Strong experience in managing and developing staff, freelancers, and cross-functional teams. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of      stakeholders including artists, funders, partners, and collaborators. 
• Financial management: Solid experience of managing complex budgets, including forecasting, tracking expenditure, and producing financial reports. 
• Communication      and interpersonal skills: Excellent written and verbal communication      skills, with a track record of developing stakeholder communications and      strategic updates. Comfortable presenting at meetings, events, and panels.      
• Operational and administrative: Experience of using project management tools, Customer Relations Management System (CRM), and overseeing the developing efficient administrative systems. 
• Equality, diversity and inclusion: Commitment to inclusive practice, with a demonstrable understanding of intersectionality and accessibility within the arts. 
• Problem solving and decision making: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances. 
• Knowledge of the arts sector: In-depth understanding of the UK arts and culture landscape, particularly in relation to artist commissioning and development. 
• Ability to regularly travel nationally and when required, internationally. 

Desirable Criteria: 

• Experience in  the disability arts sector: Lived experience or previous professional engagement with disability arts or working with disabled artists. 
• Experience managing national partnerships: Prior experience leading or contributing to national-scale partnerships and working across devolved nations. 
• Contractual and legal oversight: Familiarity with drafting or reviewing contracts, memorandums of understanding and partnership agreements. 
• Evaluation and impact measurement: Experience developing or implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for programmes or projects. 
• Digital confidence: Competency using digital tools for team collaboration, data management, or stakeholder engagement. 
• Desire to work from home: remotely whilst supporting activity across the UK and internationally. 
• Adds to the diversity of our current team. 

Recruitment timeline 

Deadline for applications: Monday 28 July 2025, midday 

All applicants contacted by: Wednesday 30 July 2025 

Pre-interview tasks: Monday 11 August 2025 

Interviews: Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 August 2025 

Assessment day: 26/27/28 August 2025 (one day only)

Candidates notified: Friday 29 August 2025 

Suggested start date: Monday 17 November 2025