Cultural Programme Manager

Reports to Director
Salary indication: 62-68k pro rata, depending on experience
Term: Permanent Contract, 0.75 FTE
Place and hours of Work: Wellington CBD, 30 hours per week, Monday - Friday regularly onsite, work from home possible for max. 40%. Expected presence at events during weekends and evenings, expected availability in the afternoon/evening to liase online with Germany or Southeast Asia. Travel for business within NZ and overseas
Starting date: 1st March 2026 or later
Closes 9th February 2026. We reserve the right to contact suitable candidates before the application deadline.
 

About the Role

The Cultural Programme Coordinator supports the planning and delivery of projects, programmes, and events, ensuring clear communication and high‑quality outcomes. The role requires knowledge of the German and New Zealand arts and culture sector and an interest in connecting the scenes. Key responsibilities include regular programmes and a diverse range of small and medium scale projects, coordinating residency programmes, hosting international guests, and contributing to the organisation’s cultural presence locally. Working in a small team requires collaboration, flexibility, and the ability to shift between tasks as needed.

About Goethe-Institut

Communicating with the world. For diversity, understanding and trust.

We connect people all over the world. As a cultural institution of the Federal Republic of Germany, we promote cultural exchange, education and societal discourse in an international context, and support the teaching and learning of the German language. Together with our partners, we focus on global opportunities and challenges, bringing different perspectives into a dialogue based on trust. We regard the ability to listen and to reflect as the key to understanding. We are bound by principles of transparency, diversity and sustainability. These principles characterise our services and our way of working.
 

Relationships

Key Responsibilities

  • Work closely with the Director to develop and deliver the cultural programme
  • Engage with guests, audiences and partners
  • Liase with artists, external contractors and other programme contributors
  • Handling of all cultural programme related bookings such as travel arrangements, location hire, fees, additional services, print, catering, etc.
  • Provide project related marketing and communications
  • Manage specific project budgets with the Director and in consultation with the Head of Finance and Administration
  • Contribute to reporting
  • Manage and support the interns (3-4 per year)
  • Maintain an understanding of current trends and developments in the arts and culture sector in Germany and New Zealand
  • Build and maintain a network of partners and like-minded organisations in New Zealand and Germany

About You

You are aware that working in arts and culture is sometimes not a 9-5 job on weekdays but requires the ability to work flexible hours. You will bring strong organisational skills, desire in ongoing learning, experience and high interest in the arts and culture, excellent communication, resilience to work through busy periods and you enjoy engaging with different people on different occasions. You are comfortable balancing multiple tasks and priorities, have sound judgement, attention to detail and enjoy working collaboratively in a small team while also being comfortable and independent with new tasks and in new environments. 

You can send your application in German or English. Please include a CV, a cover letter and references.

To apply or for further information please contact: christine.brun@goethe.de
 

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