Learning at the V&A fires imagination and fosters ingenuity for everyone, everywhere in a changing world. A forward thinking, energetic and collegial team activates the world’s leading collection of art, design and performance and dynamic creative networks to empower and enrich learners with design-led skills, knowledge and understanding for the 21st century and to promote thought leadership and active civic engagement through the value of culture and creativity for all.

The National Programmes team sits within the Learning, National Programmes and Young V&A Division, playing an essential part in this mission to provide the best physical and intellectual access to our collections for audiences outside of London.  To this end the team has a broad remit comprising the management of the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, providing expert advice to publicly funded bodies and supporting the V&A’s broad portfolio of national activity including national learning programmes. We work flexibly in partnership with many organisations across the UK.

Sitting within the National Programmes team at the V&A and reporting to the National Programmes Lead, the National Programmes Officer supports the day-to-day operation of the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. The post acts as the first point of contact for the Fund, dealing courteously with applicants and advisers and processing grant applications through our grant database with guidance from the National Programmes Lead. The post also supports the provision of advice to Arts Council England and other similar public bodies gathering data and producing reports when required on our national activity

The successful applicant will have the ability to maintain professional relationships and communicate effectively with internal staff and external stakeholders. They will be highly organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines. They will have demonstrated ability to use initiative and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Process grant applications with support from the National Programmes Lead ensuring compliance with the Grant requirements of the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.
• Maintain an organised system for the payment of grants using the online grants database and V&A financial systems
• Support the preparation of reports for funders by gathering grant data and producing letters and materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the administration of the Fund and relevant paper and electronic files, arrange national travel, meetings as requested and other tasks that may arise
• Process requests for advice to public bodies including Arts Council England and other external organisations as and when required.
• Contribute to updating digital content on the Arts Council England /V&A Purchase Grant Fund and more broadly national programmes, as required in line with annual reporting.
• Provide project support as required to the National Programmes Lead to ensure successful delivery of activities in line with national activity.

• Demonstrated ability to use initiative and problem -solving skills to identify potential issues and find solutions

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism

• Good standard of written English (GCSE Grade C equivalent) and numerical ability to perform a range of calculations

• Strong communicator with the ability to maintain professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• The ability to use MS Office and other relevant IT systems as appropriate for the role

• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines with attention to detail in maintaining accurate records and handling data

• Respects others’ expertise, time, perspectives and contribution. 

• Takes responsibility for delivering on actions, achieving high-standards and learning from mistakes

• Open to change, new ideas and suggestions; looks for opportunities for improvement and self-development

• Works with others outside their own department in a collaborative, understanding, and, engaging way.

Please click on the link below for more information, and to make an application 

National Programmes Officer