Freelance Strategic Lead

Create South East is looking to appoint a provider with experience and expertise in cultural programme leadership and supporting creative businesses. You will provide strategic lead services for the programme until the end of its funding, currently March 2026.  

This successful business support programme for the Creative Industries is in its 4th year and operates across Greater Essex, Kent and Medway, West and East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. The programme objectives are:  

• To support high-growth potential creative businesses to become investment ready outside of London, by developing businesses’ knowledge, skills and access to finance.
• To increase the number of investors willing to invest in creative businesses outside of London, by educating and developing investor networks.
• To build local capacity for supporting creative businesses in regions to drive local growth outside of London.

The Create South East programme is managed by a regional partnership that meets biannually as a Partnership Board. Delivery of the programme and recruitment of cohorts is managed by an internal team.  

The Strategic Lead will be accountable for partner relations including local capacity building and investor engagement. 

LOCATION: Candidates should be based in the South East and/or have a good working knowledge of creative industries in the South East. You must also have a willingness to travel across the region. 

CONTRACT: Freelance, 2-3 days per week until March 2026. Immediate start preferred.