Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth

Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth

Canterbury City Council is looking for a new Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth.

Key details

• Location: Canterbury district (Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay), with hybrid and home working
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Full time, permanent
• Salary: £70,502.50 starting salary, plus an additional car allowance of £4,979 per year
• Closing date: 13 September 2026
• Interviews: week commencing 5 October 2026

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Canterbury City Council in a leadership role, managing our exciting and diverse Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth service.

You will work closely with the Director of Place to deliver services and projects that are extremely visible across the Canterbury district, often bringing public recognition for the incredible difference they make to those we serve in and around Canterbury. Recently, this has included royal visits, prestigious awards and a series of wonderful cultural events.

You will provide the strategic leadership and direction for our widely celebrated Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth services across the district, which includes setting the strategic direction for our wonderful museums, venues and commercial assets.

This will include advising councillors on broad policy, acting as a key advisor to the Management Team, and working as part of the council's Extended Management Team to deliver the Council's corporate plan and the Local Plan.

What you will get up to

• Setting the strategic direction of the Canterbury Museums and Galleries and being accountable for delivery of these services, including their financial sustainability, accessibility, contribution to learning, inclusion, tourism, and place making through strong partnerships and programming, and maintaining Accreditation status through proper management and care of the City's Collections
• Being responsible for the council's coastal venues and commercial public-facing assets, providing strategic oversight to enhance their cultural offer, contribute towards visitor economy and place-making, and deliver on their commercial objectives
• Overseeing the commissioning and contract management for leisure and cultural provision, ensuring quality, value for money, and alignment with community need
• Developing strong relationships with the cultural/arts, leisure, voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to create opportunities for partnership working to deliver the objectives of the council
• Being responsible for the council's economic development strategy, showcasing initiatives that strengthen our economic and tourism offer

Working pattern

This is a full time, permanent contract for 37 hours per week.

This role oversees the management of a number of venues operating over 7 days a week in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, as well as a team based at the main Canterbury City Council Offices. Therefore, flexible working on and offsite is required as well as the ability to work from home.

About you

Your knowledge

• Knowledge of cultural and leisure policy at a national level
• Knowledge of current Government policy on economic development and the role of local government in this

Your experience

• Experience in the strategic leadership of museums, galleries and/or commercial venues
• Experience of managing multi-skilled teams at a senior level within a local authority
• Able to demonstrate experience of working across organisational boundaries to deliver services

Your skills

• The ability to lead, manage and motivate an organisation through major change projects

Your qualifications

• Educated to degree level or relevant professional qualification at a similar level in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience

What's in it for you?

• The starting salary for this post is £70,502.50, plus an additional car allowance of £4,979 per year
• Flexible, hybrid working - we understand the importance of a good work-life balance
• A generous annual leave entitlement: 28 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days with 5 years service, plus bank holidays, plus 3 given days which are usually given over the Christmas period when our main offices are closed. You will also have the option to buy more annual leave
• A fantastic local government pension scheme
• Support and encouragement for your career, with excellent opportunities for training and development, as well as cover of a Professional Body Membership fee where needed for the role
• Employee perks, including multiple retailer and lifestyle discounts to help you get the most out of your money and enjoy your free time
• An easier commute: free use of Canterbury's Park and Ride, flexi bus tickets, and a cycle to work scheme
• Stay healthy: access to free counselling, advice and webinars through our employee assistance programme, as well as contributions to the cost of flu jabs

Equality, diversity and inclusion at Canterbury City Council

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in everything we do. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is valued, included and respected.

Our diversity strengthens our ability to serve the diverse communities we support through our work.

To demonstrate this through our actions, all applications are anonymised for the shortlisting panel, allowing all applicants to be assessed on merit alone.

How to apply

Apply via the link provided. Simply click the "Apply Online" button and create your account to begin your application form.

For an informal chat to find out more about the role or what it is like to be part of Canterbury City Council's Place Team, please contact William Hicks by email to william.hicks@canterbury.gov.uk. William Hicks is our Director of Place and very much welcomes your email.