Head of Programme GER/UK Season

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Date: 14 Oct 2026

Location: Berlin, European Union, DE

Company: British Council

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.


We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.


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Head of Programme Germany/UK Season

Location: Berlin, Germany
Contract Type: 3-year fixed-term contract
Pay Grade: 7
Starting Gross Annual Salary: 58,815 EUR Gross plus 50 EUR taxfree Givvecard per month 
Closing date: 1st Nov 2026 at 21:59 IST Time
Eligibility: Candidates are expected to have researched whether they have the right to live and work in the country in which the role is based.
Language: The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency is required in German and English, both at C1 level (CEFR). 
Start Date: 1 January 2027
Hours: 37,5 per week
Annual Leave: 30 days


 
Role Overview

Co-lead the development and delivery of the Germany/UK Season of Arts and Culture 2029, ensuring strategic alignment with British Council Germany priorities and successful delivery of an ambitious arts and creative industries programme.

Key Responsibilities

  • Co-lead planning and delivery of the 2029 Season, ensuring activities are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
  • Manage partner contracts and relationships, ensuring compliance with British Council policies and procedures.
  • Coordinate programme monitoring, KPI reporting, and independent evaluation.
  • Work with stakeholders across Germany and the UK to develop impactful cultural partnerships.
  • Oversee marketing and communications for the Season.
  • Support funding, sponsorship, and partner engagement efforts in Germany.
  • Champion arts and creative industries initiatives through both digital and in-person engagement.

About the Role: 

Based within the British Council Germany Arts Team, this role reports to the Head of Arts Germany and plays a pivotal role in delivering the 2029 Germany/UK Season of Arts and Culture. The programme aims to strengthen long-term cultural ties between the two countries. It will provide a platform for organisations, young creatives, and audiences in Germany and the UK to collaborate, innovate, and explore creative responses to issues that matter to young people today. The Season will also establish new bilateral partnerships across the arts and creative industries.
 
The Head of Programme will ensure that Season plans are realised and communicated, delivering to the British Council’s longer-term objectives, as well as supporting those of government partners, sector partners, and funders of the programme. 

 
Role-specific skills

  • Sector specialism in arts, culture, creative industries in Germany, with knowledge of the UK sectors.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft concise briefing notes and other communications materials, and to present clearly and effectively in a range of contexts.
  • Experience of SAP or a comparable financial system
  • Motivation and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and anti-racism, demonstrated through an understanding of the British Council’s approach and of equality considerations relevant to the role, and examples of behaviours and decisions or actions that contribute to a more inclusive organisational culture or to a more inclusive programme, product or services

Requirements of the role

Minimum/essential

  • Degree or equivalent experience/ qualifications in cultural management or project management
  • Extensive experience of leading and managing programmes or projects.
  • Experience of financial planning, monitoring and reporting.
  • Experience of working with several different funding sourcesand knowledge of different programme frameworks and compliance rules.
  • Experience of managing complex, senior, client, stakeholder and partner relationships and reporting requirements.
  • Experience of identifying risk, mitigating risk and monitoring risk and reporting risk through appropriate channels.

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a consortium arrangement or with other funding partners or sponsors.
  • Experience of developing Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and data collection mechanisms.
  • Experience of presenting and communicating programme success to external audiences.
  • Experience managing communications and marketing of cultural and/or large-scale programmes, working with agencies on branding, press releases and content and marketing strategies.

 

Additional Information: 

Background check: Employment with the British Council is subject to satisfactory background checks, both before appointment and periodically during employment, as required. The nature and level of checks will depend on the role and applicable local laws.

Proof of Identity & Right to Work: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where the role is based at the time of application and for the duration of employment. Visa sponsorship, immigration support and relocation assistance are not provided for this role. Applications are welcome from candidates currently based in the recruiting country and other British Council country offices, provided they meet the right-to-work requirement.

 

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability, and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent and we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
 
Safeguarding Statement 

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org