Director of Culture, Leisure, and Tourism
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Thank you for your interest in Southend-on-Sea City Council. I am delighted to introduce this campaign to find our new Director of Culture, Leisure, and Tourism, who will help shape the future of our creative coastal city.
Southend-on-Sea is truly one-of-a-kind. A vibrant new city where entrepreneurial spirit meets a thriving cultural and creative arts scene. Here, creativity and ambition blend seamlessly with history and tradition, creating something uniquely special. Our goal is to build a growing city with a strong, prosperous community by boosting the local economy in ways that benefit everyone. We’re enhancing our tourism, culture, and leisure offerings to make Southend-on-Sea a welcoming place to live, visit and grow.
There are always exciting events happening in Southend-on-Sea, the Southend City Jam returns for its third year after being the biggest street art festival in Europe in 2023. Alongside this we partner with event organisers such as the Lazydays Festival to bring an exciting and modern event scene to the city. We also ensure that our communities are at the heart of our thinking, the Southend Halloween Parade in October is a highlight for residents with local groups and Schools being at the fore of its content.
These events, along with many others, showcase the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our city. But there is plenty more opportunity to build on this and promote opportunities to allow the city to thrive as a cultural, commercial, successful, and connected place to live and visit.
But more than this, the true heart of Southend’s people, families, and communities shine through its rich history, creativity, and cultural identity. Who we are is often shaped by where we live, past and present. Our cultural, learning, and leisure activities are key to this spirit. From concert series through to the biggest museum in Essex. From one of the largest historical textile archives in the country to one of the most important Anglo-Saxon discoveries in the country. Contemporary art through the council’s Focal point gallery and its community engagement and education programme also shines the creative light on this city. And there’s so much more to explore.
Our cultural, library and leisure offer are also core to how we share health and care preventative information, advice and opportunity. By using these resources to connect and engage with people, we can address health and social inequalities and improve outcomes for everyone. There is good reason our new director will sit alongside our directors of adult social care and communities!
This role is exciting, creative, challenging and rewarding. I am still comparatively new to Southend and find its pride in place and infectious ambition hugely invigorating. If you are someone who wants to help Southend create a legacy that we can all be proud of then please do make an application. I look forward to meeting you in person very soon.
Mark Harvey
Executive Director, Adults & Communities
