Work With Us
Occasionally, we are looking to add to our small team.
We also advertise short-term contract work on specific projects, freelance roles, and project-funded opportunities.
Year-round, we need volunteers to help with the Spark Young Writers groups, and with the running of our public events including the Birmingham Literature Festival (annual – usually autumn) and our National Writers’ Conference (annual – usually June).
APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED: Programme Manager – Children & Young People
Writing West Midlands is seeking a Programme Manager – Children & Young People to lead and deliver on all our work with children and young people, including our year-round Spark Young Writers Groups, our annual Careers in Writing Day and the Birmingham Young Poet Laureate scheme, along with related activity.
Writing West Midlands (WWM) is the literature development agency for the West Midlands. It supports the writing industry regionally and nationally by offering training and development opportunities for writers, by encouraging children and young people to engage with creative writing and by running public literature events.
We run the Spark Young Writers programme, the Birmingham Literature Festival, the Room 204 Writer Development Scheme, the National Writers’ Conference and many other projects.
Writing West Midlands is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations and part of a national network of literature development agencies.
We have an office base in Birmingham but work across the West Midlands. Our office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm with a 30min break for lunch. We also work some evenings and weekends to deliver public events. Time off in lieu may be taken if working out of normal office hours.
Job Title: Programme Manager – Children & Young People
Job Terms: Permanent (after 6 month probationary period)
Responsible To: Chief Executive
Responsible For: Programmes and marketing assistant, contracted practitioners
Hours: 3 days a week (hours are flexible and will include some Saturdays – time of in lieu will be given). The office is closed on Fridays.
Office Base: Birmingham, UK (this role is office-based)
Salary: £30,000 – £32,000 (pro rata £18,000 – £19,200 for three days/week)
Start Date: October / November 2024 (ideally, exact date by negotiation).
Application Deadline: Thursday 19th September, 12noon
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail no later than Wednesday 25th September at 5pm.
Interview date: Monday 30th September 2024 in Birmingham, in person on the day.
Download full job description and person specification here Writing West Midlands Programme Manager – Children Young People Job Description Person Specification.
Assistant Writer: Spark Young Writers
We are looking for Assistant Writers for our Spark Young Writers groups, go here for more information.
Writing West Midlands runs the largest number of creative writing workshops for young people in the country. For 10 years our groups have been growing, and we now run more than 200 writing workshops a year.
We are looking for emerging writers to help inspire the next generation of creative writers. You will help lead one of our Spark Young Writers groups for 10 monthly sessions (2 hours per session), under the guidance of a professional writer.
This is a voluntary post, but we will cover reasonable travel expenses.