Would you like to be part of the Cultural Administration’s journey of development?

As Development Director at the Cultural Administration, you’ll have the opportunity to launch and lead a new department tasked with using culture to contribute to societal development. Together with the management team, you’ll set the direction for the Cultural Administration’s development efforts and help further strengthen Umeå’s position as a city of culture.

Develop Umeå as a City of Culture

Do you want to lead and shape an expansive and proactive cultural initiative in a municipality with a clear commitment to culture?

In Umeå, culture is a natural driving force in the effort to make the city safe, attractive, and vibrant—a place where people want to stay and where more people want to move. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to help set the direction in an environment characterized by courage, quality, joy, and a drive for development. You’ll be part of the administrative leadership team, and together with our skilled and dedicated staff, you’ll create the conditions for the city’s cultural activities and cultural practitioners, as well as value and benefits for those we serve—our citizens.

The New Department

As Development Manager, you will lead a brand-new department with a strategic and collaborative mission within and beyond Umeå’s municipal cultural activities. The department is responsible for cross-departmental collaborations, external project applications, and partnerships with other cities both nationally and internationally.

The role also involves using culture as a tool and method to contribute to societal transformation—for example, in areas such as climate transition, social sustainability, increased inclusion, and crime prevention.

Your Role

As Development Director, you will lead both strategic and operational efforts to strengthen and develop cultural activities at the local, regional, national, and international levels. You will initiate and drive new initiatives and develop collaborations with stakeholders both within and outside the cultural sector, such as other government agencies, cultural practitioners, and organizations. Through your work, you contribute to a vibrant and attractive city where culture is a clear driving force.

You will lead a team consisting of a small group of employees, the composition of which may vary over time depending on different projects. You are responsible for the budget and resources and ensure that initiatives and projects are carried out with high quality and efficient use of resources. You represent the Culture Department in external contexts in both Swedish and English.

You are part of the Culture Department’s management team and work closely with other managers in the department.  The role is characterized by collaboration and your ability to, together with others, drive the work forward and make things happen.

Who are you?

You are the kind of person who gets things done—together with others!

You have strong communication skills and are adept at building relationships, collaborating, and driving initiatives forward in a complex organization. You have an analytical mindset and a strong ability to see both short- and long-term perspectives, understand the big picture, and identify synergies.

To succeed in this role, you have a broad understanding of public cultural activities and a solid grasp of cultural policy goals and governance. You are a confident and trustworthy leader who can foster engagement, clarity, and direction within the organization.

We are looking for someone who has:

• an academic degree in culture, public administration, or another field deemed equivalent by the employer,
• several years of experience working in cultural activities in the public sector,
• experience as a manager with personnel responsibility,
• strong written and verbal communication skills in both Swedish and English.

Additional Information

The position involves domestic and international travel.

About Us

The Cultural Administration comprises four areas of operation and departments: Libraries, the Culture School, Programs (which also includes the art gallery and the Women’s History Museum), and Development.

The Cultural Administration’s approximately 200 employees work to create the best conditions for everyone in the Municipality of Umeå to engage in activities, develop, and express themselves, to take part in cultural experiences, and to be challenged by a cultural offering that is both broad and cutting-edge. We work to create the best conditions for community organizations and for professional cultural practitioners. The Cultural Administration contributes to added value such as quality of life, education, community, security, and a democratic society characterized by participation, influence, and co-creation.

As an employee of Umeå Municipality, you can also enjoy a number of benefits. Read more about our benefits here.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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About Umeå Municipality

Umeå Municipality is the region’s largest employer, with over 13,000 essential employees. Our organization is divided into nine departments, and together we work to ensure that Umeå grows thoughtfully. Our core values are based on a citizen-centered approach, transparency, trust, and continuous improvement. With us, you’ll work on missions that are vital to society, helping to ensure that Umeå remains a safe, secure, and fun place to live.

Umeå is northern Sweden’s largest city, offering a rich variety of experiences and opportunities. We’re a city of associations and culture that offers a richer life even outside of work. Here, you can learn what it’s like to live in Umeå: Moving to Umeå Municipality

Our team is growing, so maybe we’re looking for you? Do you want more, too? We offer fair working conditions, great benefits, and excellent opportunities for lifelong learning, as well as jobs that are important to everyone who lives and works here. We look forward to hearing from you.