Work With Us

Amid the turbulence of 2020, millions of people turned to poetry to make sense of a rapidly shifting world. For Forward, it reinforced the importance of working towards a society where individuals and communities can develop their innate creativity, agency and understanding through the making and sharing of poetry.

We believe poetry is for everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital status, maternity and pregnancy, race, religion, class and sexual orientation. For this reason, our approach to our poetry commissions and recruitment is shaped by a commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Across 2021, we are working to more actively and strategically embed inclusion in every facet of our practice. We particularly welcome applications for vacancies from black and minority ethnic candidates, as they are under-represented within the arts, and we commit to continue to review our processes to ensure that our organisation more closely reflects the society it serves.

An opportunity for an energetic, creative and meticulous individual to join the team responsible for National Poetry Day and the Forward Prizes for Poetry as Development Manager. This is a new role with significant responsibility and scope for growth in a lively and enterprising literary charity. We seek someone with proven fundraising skills to lead on funding applications, individual giving and sponsorship bids. The role will also work with the programme managers to highlight our impact and vision in communications with key stakeholders and potential supporters.

While we are looking for someone full time, for the right candidate we would consider a part time engagement of 4 days (28 hours) per week at a pro-rata salary.

Salary: £33,000 per annum (pro rata for part-time appointment)

Closing date: Midnight, 28 March 2021

Interview date: 6 April 2021. Should you not be available on this date, we will attempt to find a suitable alternative.

Please download the pack below for full job specification and details on how to apply. Please also include the downloadable Equal Opportunities form when applying.

This is an opportunity for a meticulous, efficient, and highly organised project manager to join the Forward Arts Foundation creative and dynamic team. The National Poetry Day (NPD) Manager is accountable for delivering a successful National Poetry Day, the UK’s annual mass celebration of poetry that encourages all to enjoy, discover and share poetry. This year, National Poetry Day will take place on 7 October 2021.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Forward Arts Foundation, you will set out the communications, outreach, and delivery strategy, ensuring that National Poetry Day engages our stakeholders and supports our key audiences (schools, libraries, and the book-loving public). We seek someone with proven project management, campaign, communications, literature and education sector experience.

This is a part-time role (21 hours/week) that requires some flexible hours as needed to deliver the project.

Salary: £21,000 per annum

Closing date: Rolling

PLEASE NOTE: as this role is crucial and time-sensitive, interviews with suitable candidates will be conducted on a rolling basis and an appointment will be made when a strong candidate is identified.

Please download the pack below for full job specification and details on how to apply. Please also include the downloadable Equal Opportunities form when applying.