Our current vacancies

Awards Development Manager (Maternity Cover)

Contract: Maternity Cover. 2.5 days / 17.5 hours per week. Fixed Term September 2026 to September 2027

Salary: £41,018 per annum pro rata

Application deadline: Monday 17 August 2026

Interviews held: Wednesday 26 August 2026

Click here to download full job description and personal specification.

The Role

For over 24 years, Acme’s Early Career Awards programme has supported artists at a pivotal stage, helping recent graduates establish sustainable careers after leaving art school. The programme provides artists with a 12-month rent-free shared studio, a programme of mentoring and skills development workshops, and the opportunity to initiate public outcomes.

From October 2026, the Early Career Awards programme will relocate to a large, new studio with adjoining project space at Acme’s Billet Road building in Waltham Forest. The move marks an exciting new chapter for the programme creating the opportunity to connect the early career artists with established artists working in the building and expand the cohort from the current size of four to nine artists over the coming years.

The Awards Development Manager (Maternity Cover) will lead on the delivery of the programme, supporting the 2026/27 artists’ artistic and professional development. You will work closely with the Head of Artist Support on its strategic development by engaging the current partners. You will forge new art school and funding relationships to increase the number of artists supported from October 2027 onwards.

You will have the following:

• Knowledge of visual artists’ experiences of higher education and/or alternative pathways to professional practice
  
• Proven ability to think and plan creatively and strategically to sustain programmes long-term
  
• Experience of managing projects to be delivered on schedule and against agreed objectives
  
• Effective communications skills – written and verbal
• Ability to work constructively to troubleshoot issues or emergencies
  
• Empathy with the mission, objectives and values of Acme 

Please refer to the person specification for full details of the key requirements in terms of qualification, knowledge, experience and skills.

To Apply

Please complete the Awards Development Manager (Maternity Cover) Recruitment Form.

As well as uploading a CV, you should outline your suitability for the position, including relevant qualifications and experience as outlined in the person specification.

If you would prefer to make an application by video, please see the job pack for further details.

Applicants who do not demonstrate that they meet the criteria outlined in the person specification will not be considered for the role.

Closing date for application is Monday 17 August 2026.

 In-person interviews will be held on Wednesday 26 August 2026.

Anticipated start date is September 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

Acme exists to support the broadest possible range of artistic practice and creates opportunities for artists to develop and take greater creative risks.

We passionately believe in social equity and the benefits of diversity, seeking to support, encourage and include people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other equality characteristic.

We particularly encourage applications from disabled people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, as these groups are currently under-represented in the arts and cultural sectors.

Benefits

• A commitment to flexible working
• Annual leave 28 days plus bank holidays and discretionary Christmas closure
• Enhanced sick pay, maternity, paternity, and adoption leave pay
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan, Childcare and Rent deposit loan
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Scheme