Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth

Job Title: Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth
Location: Canterbury
Salary: From £70,502.50 per annum (plus £4,979 car allowance)
Job type: Full time, Permanent
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Closing Date: 13th September 2026
Canterbury City Council is looking for a new Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth.
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.
What's in it for you?
* Salary & Allowances: Starting salary of £70,502.50 plus a £4,979 annual car allowance.
* Pension: Generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Annual Leave: 28 days holiday (increasing to 33 days after 5 years service), plus bank holidays and 3 extra days over the Christmas shutdown, with options to buy more leave.
* Work-Life Balance: Flexible, hybrid working arrangements.
* Travel & Commuting: Free use of Canterbury's Park and Ride, flexi-bus tickets, and a cycle-to-scheme.
* Wellbeing & Perks: Employee assistance programme, retailer discounts, training support, and professional body membership fee coverage.
About the role:
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.
Here's more of what you'll get up to:
* You will be setting the strategic direction of the Canterbury Museums and Galleries and be accountable for delivery of these services. This includes being accountable for 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.
* You will be 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.
* You will oversee the commissioning and contract management for leisure and cultural provision, ensuring quality, value for money, and alignment with community need.
* You will develop 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.
* You will be 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 role. Because this service oversees venues operating 7 days a week across Canterbury, Whitstable, and Herne Bay alongside our main office team, a flexible approach combining remote working with on-site presence across the district is required.
About you, the ideal Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth:
Your knowledge
* You will need knowledge of cultural and leisure policy at a national level.
* You'll have knowledge of current Government policy on economic development and the role of local government in this.
Your experience
* You will have experience in the strategic leadership of museums, galleries and/or commercial venues.
* You will have experience of managing multi-skilled teams at a senior level within a local authority.
* You'll be able to demonstrate experience of working across organisational boundaries to deliver services.
Your skills
* You will have the ability to lead, manage and motivate an organisation through major change projects.
Your qualifications
* You will be educated to degree level or relevant professional qualification at a similar level in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where diversity is valued. To ensure all candidates are assessed strictly on merit, all applications are fully anonymised for the shortlisting panel.
Please click the Apply button and you will be redirected to the council's website to begin your application.
Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of; Head of Culture, Head of Leisure, Economic Development Manager, Head of Economic Growth, Cultural Services Manager, Leisure Services Manager, Head of Tourism, Place Shaping Manager, Regeneration Manager, Local Government Director, Head of Service, Strategic Lead, Community Services Manager, Asset Management Director, Head of Parks and Recreation may also be considered