The opportunity

Creative industries are one of Greater Manchester’s key growth sectors driving innovation, supporting thousands of businesses and freelancers, and shaping how the city-region works and feels.

We’re looking for a Senior Policy Officer Creative Industries to support the development and delivery of policy and programmes that help the sector grow and thrive. From research and analysis through to programme delivery and stakeholder engagement, you’ll play a key role in turning ideas into action.

You’ll work closely with partners across Greater Manchester, industry, universities and national organisations to support delivery of the Creative Industries Sector Development Plan and wider GMCA priorities.

Your role

As part of the Culture, Creative Industries, NTE and Music team, you’ll support a wide-ranging and fast-paced portfolio of work. This is a varied role that combines policy, delivery, stakeholder engagement and analytical work.

You will:

  • Support the development and delivery of creative industries policy and programmes, helping ensure they align to the Greater Manchester Strategy and sector priorities.
  • Work with the Principal, Creative Industries to deliver the Creative Industries Sector Development Plan, contributing to programme design, research and evaluation.
  • Undertake research and data analysis, building a strong evidence base to inform policy decisions and investment.
  • Support delivery of programmes and initiatives, working with partners across Greater Manchester on business support, skills, innovation and place-based activity.
  • Coordinate governance and programme activity, including preparing reports, briefings and papers.
  • Support stakeholder engagement, working with businesses, freelancers, local authorities and universities across the sector.
  • Contribute to funding proposals, business cases and consultation responses.
  • Act as a key contact point for creative industries work within the team, helping ensure clear communication and coordination.

About you

You’ll be someone who enjoys working across policy and delivery, and is comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

You’ll bring:

  • Experience in policy, programme delivery or research, ideally within creative industries, economic development or a related area.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and turn it into clear insights.
  • Excellent written communication skills, including producing high-quality reports and briefings.
  • Good organisational skills, able to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong relationship-building skills, with experience working across partnerships.
  • An understanding of the creative industries landscape, including challenges and opportunities for growth.
  • A collaborative and proactive approach, with a commitment to inclusion and supporting diverse communities and workforces.

We don’t expect you to meet every requirement we’re looking for someone with the right attitude, skills and potential to grow in the role.

Why GMCA

Working at GMCA means being part of a team that is shaping the future of Greater Manchester. You’ll be contributing to work that supports businesses, creates opportunities and improves people’s lives.

We offer:

  • Flexible and hybrid working
  • A generous annual leave allowance
  • Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Ongoing learning and development opportunities
  • A supportive and inclusive working environment

Our commitment

We value the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.


Supporting Documents

↗ Role Profile

Ready to apply?

Location

Tootal Buildings, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU, United Kingdom

Job ID

1148

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

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Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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