While an interest in literature or spoken word is an advantage, the primary focus of this role is school engagement and project administration. We are looking for someone with proven experience navigating the school system, liaising with teachers, securing permissions, and removing barriers to youth participation. You will act as the vital bridge between our artistic facilitators, local secondary schools, and community venues. Creative Tunbridge Wells CIC and Word Up! are committed to building an inclusive, welcoming, and representative creative sector. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in the arts and cultural sector, including candidates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, global majority communities, disabled and neurodivergent individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognise that talent, insight, and potential take many forms. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support to enable your participation in the application or interview process, please let us know when submitting your application. All requests will be handled with discretion. Essential Desirable: Key Responsibilities 1. School & Youth Engagement To apply for the Engagement Coordinator role, please submit the following by email: A current CV detailing your relevant work history. A Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining why you are interested in the role and explicitly addressing how your skills and experience meet the criteria in the Person Specification—specifically highlighting your experience with secondary school engagement and project administration. Please send your application to [email protected] with the subject line “Engagement Coordinator Application”. Application Deadline: Friday 16th October - midnight. If you have any questions about the role or require reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contactJob Summary
Job Description
Job Requirements
School Engagement Experience: Proven track record of working successfully with secondary schools, teachers, or youth organisations. You know how to navigate school bureaucracies, term times, and permission processes.
Exceptional Organisation: Strong logistical and administrative skills, capable of managing multiple schedules, venues, and stakeholders simultaneously.
Inclusive Practice: Experience working with diverse youth cohorts, including those from lower-income backgrounds, and an understanding of how to remove barriers to cultural participation.
Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence in communicating by email and by telephone.
Safeguarding: A strong understanding of youth safeguarding. An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role (we can support this process if needed).
An interest in spoken word, poetry, or youth arts programming.
Experience conducting project evaluations, surveys, or data collection for grant-Job Responsibilities
Act as the lead point of contact for participating schools and non-school youth settings.
Coordinate dates, book rooms, manage school contacts, and handle all practical arrangements for a series of 10 spoken word workshops.
Manage the distribution and collection of parental/carer permissions and safeguarding paperwork.
Build trust and communicate effectively between schools, young people, parents/carers, and the festival team.
2. Project Logistics & Administration
Support the logistical coordination of 2-day artist Practice Lab.
Support the Curtain Raiser process, coordinating schedules, permissions, and event logistics for performers at the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival.
Ensure all engagement targets are actively monitored and met (e.g., 300 workshop participants, 40 engaged practitioners).
3. Evaluation & Communications
Coordinate the project's evaluation process, including distributing bespoke surveys to schools and participantUseful Links
How to Apply
Interviews: 20th October
Bob Willard Watts on – [email protected]