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?
- 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.
- We offer a generous annual leave entitlement! You’ll receive 28 days annual leave which increases 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’ll also have the option to buy more annual leave.
- A fantastic local government pension scheme.
- We’ll support and encourage your career by providing excellent opportunities for training and development, as well as cover 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.
About this Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth job vacancy in Canterbury, Kent:
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 as our new Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Growth:
- 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 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, 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.
So, if this Head of Service job opportunity in Canterbury, Kent looks right for you, please apply today! 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’s like to be part of Canterbury City Council’s Place Team, please contact William Hicks by email to [email protected]. William Hicks is our Director of Place and very much welcomes your email.
Interviews will be week commencing 5th October 2026.
Equality, Diversity & 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.
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