Jobs

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 an inventive and highly organised Programme Producer to design and deliver this programme, working closely with the Venue Director to establish The Light as a national hub for innovation and creativity.

About the Role

As Programme Producer, you will:

• Curate and produce a world-class events programme blending art, science and technology
• Spot emerging trends and bring cutting-edge ideas to County Durham
• Build strong relationships with artists, producers, technologists and cultural partners
• Deliver exceptional, inclusive experiences for diverse audiences
• Manage budgets, maximise income opportunities and contribute to commercial success
• Ensure high production standards, operational excellence and an outstanding visitor experienceThis is your chance to help create a distinctive cultural offer from the ground up—shaping programmes that inspire, challenge and bring people together.

About You

You will be:

• An experienced producer with a track record of delivering ambitious cultural programmes
• Skilled in project management, logistics, contract negotiation and partnership-building
• Commercially confident, with experience hitting income targets
• A creative thinker excited by experimentation and cross-disciplinary work
• Committed to accessibility, community engagement and high-quality visitor experiences
• Collaborative, organised, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, future-focused environmentWhat We Offer
• A rare opportunity to help launch a distinctive new cultural venue
• The chance to shape a nationally significant programme from day one
• Supportive leadership, strong sector networks, and space to innovate
• Competitive salary, local government benefits and flexible working arrangementsJoin us and help make The Light a beacon for creativity in County Durham.

For more information about Working at The Light please visit our website.

 
WHAT WILL I NEED?

You should be educated to degree level or equivalent senior level experience in a relevant discipline. 

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. 

 
INTERVIEWS
 
It is expected interviews will be help week commencing 23rd March 2026.
 
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
 

OUR OFFER TO YOU

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave 2026entitlement 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 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. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website. 
 
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.
 

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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant