British Council

Head of Arts South Africa

British Council  •  South Africa (Onsite)  •  1 hour ago
Apply
AI can make mistakes so check important info. Chat history is never stored.

Job Description

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

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Role

Lead and grow the British Council’s Arts portfolio in South Africa, driving impactful programmes, strategic partnerships and sector engagement that advance creative growth and cultural exchange. Shape innovative initiatives, inspire high-performing teams, and influence strategic decisions to deliver lasting impact across local and global networks.

Role Accountabilities

Leadership & Management

  • Leading the country Arts portfolio and team, ensuring strong programme delivery, impact and compliance.
  • Providing sector expertise while championing EDI, anti-racism and continuous learning.

Strategy and/or Planning

  • Leading portfolio planning and contributing to the global Arts strategy.
  • Driving programme design, delivery and sustainability through digital and strategic approaches.

Sector/Subject Expertise

  • Applying sector expertise to deliver impactful Arts programmes aligned to local and UK priorities.
  • Representing the British Council and creating opportunities for international collaboration.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

  • Building strategic partnerships and networks across the arts, culture and government sectors.
  • Representing the British Council and strengthening collaboration across internal and external stakeholders.

Brand and Market Positioning

  • Promoting the UK arts and creative sectors and strengthening the British Council's value proposition.
  • Using market insights and storytelling to enhance programme visibility and impact.

Business Development

  • Building strategic partnerships and identifying new funding and growth opportunities.
  • Leading proposals, negotiations and compliance processes to support sustainable business growth.

Programme Management

  • Delivering the country programme plan while overseeing portfolio finances and performance.
  • Managing risks, contracts, procurement, grants and due diligence to ensure effective delivery.

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree (Arts, Social Sciences, Management or related) or 10+ years' experience in similar roles

Professional Qualifications

  • Project management qualification desirable, or equivalent professional development

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Strong knowledge of South Africa’s arts and creative sectors.
  • Proven capability in leading high-value national and international arts projects.
  • Well-established network across diverse arts and creative sector stakeholders.
  • Strong leadership skills with a focus on inclusion and diverse perspectives.
  • Strong capability in programme and project governance.
  • Established ability to build partnerships with government, funding and cultural stakeholders.

Desirable

  • Understanding and appreciation of current arts trends and practices in the UK

Important Information:

Language Requirement: Written and verbal proficiency in English

Pay Band: 8

Country/Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Working Arrangement: Onsite

Contract Type: Indefinite Contract

Closing Date: 19 October 2026 at 11:59 PM IST and 19 October 2026 at 7:29 PM SAST

Background Checks: 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 requirements/right to work in country: Candidates should ensure they have the pre-existing legal right to live and work in the country where the role is based. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

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 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. 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

British Council

About British Council

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We uniquely combine the UK’s deep expertise in arts and culture, education and the English language, our global presence and relationships in over 100 countries, our unparalleled access to young people and influencers and our creative sparkle.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org

Industry
Nonprofit & NGOs
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
London, GB
Year Founded
1934
Social Media