Programme Support Officer

Help to Shape the Creative Heartbeat of County Durham’s New Landmark Opening in summer 2026, The Light will be County Durham’s newest cultural destination—a vibrant space where art, science, technology and community come together. Alongside a bold exhibition programme and the new DLI Gallery, The Light will host an ambitious year‑round events programme across indoor and outdoor spaces. We’re looking for a creative and highly organised Programme Support Officer to support in the design and delivery of this programme, working closely with the Programme Producer and Exhibitions’ Curator to establish The Light as a national hub for innovation and creativity. WHAT IS INVOLVED? Support in the curation, administration and delivery of a world‑class events programme blending art, science and technology Support in the delivery of exceptional, inclusive experiences for diverse audiences This is your chance to support in the creation of a distinctive cultural offer from the ground up—shaping programmes that inspire, challenge and bring people together. WHAT WILL I NEED? Experienced in supporting project management, logistics, and administration. A creative thinker excited by experimentation and cross‑disciplinary work Ability to own projects, manage resources and maintain accurate records. Committed to accessibility, community engagement and high‑quality visitor experiences Collaborative, organised, and able to thrive in a fast‑paced, future‑focused environment Aware of current trends and best practice in Cultural Producing. A strong communicator, able to adapt your communication style to a range of audiences both verbally and in writing. Hold an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. We encourage you to contact Ruth Chittenden via email at ruth.chittenden@thelightdurham.org.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role. INTERVIEWS It is expected interviews will be held week commencing 27 July 2026. OUR OFFER TO YOU We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process. HOW TO APPLY? Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted. Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application. If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentREG@durham.gov.uk All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates. CONNECT WITH US Follow us on Instagram. Like us on Facebook. Visit our website. #VPRS/161 Company: Durham County Council Salary: Grade 5 £26,403 – £28,598 (Pay award pending) Location: Durham, Durham Sector: Education Job Role: Officer #J-18808-Ljbffr