Opportunity: Culture Central Strategic Communications Consultant
Culture Central is seeking a Strategic Communications Consultant to work with the executive team and board to develop a high-level communications strategy to support the organisation.
Dates: October–December 2026
Fee: £5,000 (inclusive of VAT where charged, excluding any expenses)
Deadline: 10:00am 12th October 2026
Background and Context:
Culture Central is the collective voice of the Cultural Sector in the West Midlands. Weconvene, challenge, and connect to create opportunities through culture for the people and places of the West Midlands.
Culture Central is a membership organisation created to help build a sustainable and resilient arts and cultural ecology. We are an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation and we deliver programmes, advocacy and strategy for the cultural sector in the West Midlands.
All of our work as an organisation contributes to the delivery of ‘Collectively Strategising Culture: Our Plan’ Co-created by over 125 leaders from the regions Cultural Sector, Collectively Strategising Culture outlines our priorities and ambitions as a sector in the West Midlands. This plan has been designed to create a shared sense of direction, purpose and responsibility to ourselves and our stakeholders.
You can see examples of our current programmes here and our sector support and advocacy resources here.
Over the last three years, Culture Central has significantly increased its visibility, quality and scale of delivery, including positioning and advocacy for the sector and organisation. To build on this, members, stakeholders and the board need to be equipped to communicate Culture Central’s key messages, impact and value strategically and consistently.
The brief:
To work with the Culture Central executive and board to develop a high-level communications strategy to support the organisation to:
Develop the strategic communications narrative for Culture Central
Communications style and approach to:
articulate impact for members
inrease sector engagement
engage key stakeholders
Ensure clear messaging and tone
Advanced stakeholder mapping
Opportunities to leverage collective communication
Further develop policy and advocacy approach
Highlight national and regional opportunities to position Culture Central, including press and PR/awards/speaking or showcase opportunities.
Horizon scanning for future communications milestones and activity.
Budget:
The fee for the initial piece of work is £5,000. There may be scope for future work depending on the agreed strategy actions, emerging opportunities and future activity development.
Applicants should set out how they would use the available budget and what can realistically be delivered within it.
The budget is inclusive of all fees, preparation, meetings, delivery and expenses unless otherwise agreed in advance.
To apply:
Application letter (no more than two pages) that outlines:
Previous experience of strategic communications development
Why you would like to work with Culture Central
Your proposed approach to working with the team
Confirmation of availability between October–December 2026
Applications sent to: info@culturecentral.co.uk
We will shortlist applications and invite selected applicants to a short, informal interview. We are interested in hearing from consultants who can combine strategic insight with practical recommendations, and who understand the context in which Culture Central works.
Accessible Recruitment
Culture Central is committed to accessible and inclusive recruitment. We welcome alternative formats and approaches to application, including audio or video submissions.
If you require adjustments or would like to discuss access needs, please contact us in advance and we will work with you to support your application.
Timescales:
Application deadline 12th October 2026
Interviews w/c 19th October 2026
Strategy completion 8th December 2026