Reports to: future observatory director
Responsible for: future observatory curator and future observatory producer
Department: future observatory
Contract: fixed term (until 31 September 2025, renewal subject to further funding)
Overview
The Design Museum, in partnership with UKRI’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), is appointing a Head of Curatorial Programme to help lead Future Observatory, the national design research programme for the green transition.
The primary purpose of this role is to translate cutting-edge research into displays, publications and programming, making it engaging for a broad audience. The Head of Curatorial Programme will develop effective interpretive frameworks and display strategies, creating bridges with the public and bringing new audiences into a relationship with design research.
The successful candidate will have a deep knowledge of contemporary design and architecture and a commitment to the green transition. They will be an excellent communicator and be able to demonstrate that they have the ability and commitment to engage a wide range of audiences. They will have varied curatorial and programming experience and an understanding of the research landscape.
The Head of Curatorial Programme will have overall responsibility for the curatorial and engagement aspects of Future Observatory, including the Design Researchers in Residence, research-in-progress displays within the Museum and convening regular symposia and roundtables. They will also support the Future Observatory Director in the development and evolution of the FO programme, including the growth of the Future Observatory-led research and curatorial portfolio.
Applicants should note that this role will be embedded at the Design Museum and will involve working closely with other museum departments and the executive team.
Job scope
The Head of Curatorial Programme will report directly to the Future Observatory Director and will work closely with other museum departments to oversee the development, curation and programming of research for the Future Observatory. They will manage the Future Observatory Curator and Programme Producer and have overall responsibility for the curatorial direction of Future Observatory. The role will have responsibility for delivering agenda-setting, audience-focused and critically acclaimed displays, research initiatives and public programme.
Job description
Delivery
- Direct and ensure public engagement with major research strands supported by Future Observatory and AHRC, including Green Transition Ecosystems, Design Exchange Partnerships and Design Accelerators;
- Develop and oversee the wider Future Observatory-led research portfolio, including the launch of research projects and fellowships;
- Oversee the Future Observatory Design Researchers in Residence, including its research design, final exhibition and annual publication;
- Convene stakeholders and build effective private and public sector networks under the umbrella goal of designing the green transition.
Leadership
- Be an advocate for the museum as one of its thought leaders for a wide range of stakeholders and audiences, including public speaking, media interviews, membership of juries, committees and advisory groups;
- Act as a champion for Future Observatory, to both internal and external audiences;
- Broaden participation in design research as a foundational principle of the programme. This will involve promoting and role-modelling equality, diversity and inclusion best practice to encourage participation amongst demographics that are currently under- represented in the field, as well as ensuring that programme activity reaches beyond traditional urban confines to reach across the country;
- Keep abreast of relevant new developments and promoting developments widely across the museum.
Management
- Laise regularly with the other museum heads of department to integrate the work of the Future Observatory with that of the museum;
- Act as representative of Future Observatory on the museum’s Learning and Research Committee;
- Manage the Future Observatory Curator and Future Observatory Programme Producer, with the potential for one other line report if the team grows.
The above list is not exhaustive, and applicants for the Head of Curatorial Programme role are encouraged to present their approach to the successful delivery of the programme and its continuation strategy.
Person specification
Knowledge, skills, and experience
Essential
Leadership and strategy
- Demonstratable experience of strategic thinking and developing cultural programmes ;
- In-depth knowledge of the current design and design research national and international landscape, especially as it relates to the green transition, regenerative practices, the circular economy, and the reduction of waste;
- Relevant network reach within Future Observatory’s areas of interest;
- Experience of being an effective institutional spokesperson in the media on a range of design related subjects;
- Ability to generate content-led ideas with a commitment to the dissemination of ideas;
- Ability to guide and inspire others, drawing together a cohort of research awardees to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise and build a network working towards a common purpose;
- Demonstratable ability to make decisions and lead a team to deliver a vision.
Communication and engagement
- Outstanding communication skills, suitable for engagement with a range of different audiences – specialist and non-specialist, within the academic and non-academic communities;
- Ability to influence others and liaise effectively with colleagues and external contacts within a museum/gallery environment;
- Demonstratable ability to speak for the value of design and design research, both to internal UKRI and to external audiences, using existing and new networks;
- Sensitivity to the needs of Future Observatory’s diverse audiences and potential beneficiaries, and provide a sound approach to how these can be addressed;
- Ability to demonstrate a mutually supportive and collaborative team working style.
Delivery
- Varied experience of curating impactful content;
- Experience of leading research-led projects that engage both
- academia, industry and the wider public;
- Working familiarity with the processes, methods and intellectual framings of research, both in the written and practice-based contexts;
- Experience in delivering public engagement in the context of displays through effective application of interpretation strategies;
- Track record of publishing in a design-related field;
- Proven experience of working to international museum standards;
- Effective manager of people and resources;
- Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and retain good attention to detail;
- A realistic appreciation of what can be achieved over the timescale, including overcoming key barriers and management of risks.
Desirable
• A master’s degree in design, design history, museum studies, curating or equivalent experience.
Terms and conditions
Salary: up to £52,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Holidays: 25 days per annum + Christmas eve (museum closed)
Hours: 35 hours per week / 5 days per week
Location: Design Museum Kensington is the place of work, with a hybrid arrangement of 60% of an employee’s role to be performed at the museum and 40% remote
Contract: fixed-term until 31 September 2025, with renewal subject to further funding
Closing date: Monday 3 February 2025, midnight
Interviews: week commencing 13 February 2025
How to Apply
Applications should address the aims of the programme and person specification sections and should be structured as follows:
- A covering letter to include relevant interest, skills and experience (max 2,000 words)
- CV
- Availability to start in role
In case of questions related to the application process, please contact PeopleTeam@designmuseum.org
Application process
For all the latest job vacancies at the Design Museum, please visit our Careers page to apply via our online portal.
Design Museum Staff Benefits
Employees are entitled to 25 days holiday, rising to 26 days after two years’ service and 27 days after five years’ service, plus 8 days Bank Holiday and Christmas Eve (museum closed), pro-rata for part-time employees. Other benefits include flexible working, hybrid working and core hours (10.00am – 4.00pm), where feasible for the role, access to a defined contribution pension scheme, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, an employee assistance programme, season ticket loan, tenancy deposit loan, cycle to work scheme, free entry for friends and family to the museum, a variety of staff discounts including the museum shop, cafes and free entry to a wide number of galleries and museums in London.
Pension
All eligible staff will have access to the Design Museum Defined Contribution Pension Scheme. An employees pay a minimum amount of 4% of their pensionable salary every month. On top of this payments are made into the employee’s pension by the museum of 4% of the employee’spensionable salary. Total paid into an employee’s museum pension = 8%.
Hours of Work
Full-time employees are required to work no less than 35 hours per week. Core hours on contracted working days are between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Employees must be available for work, meetings etc during these times, notwithstanding time for a lunch break. A minimum of a 20-minute break must be taken if an employee is working over six hours. Hours for part-time employees are pro-rated accordingly.
Diversity and Inclusion
The museum pro-actively seeks to collaborate with institutional partners, individuals, and networks to realise its commitment to build a culturally diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and consider candidates who are suitably qualified and eligible regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
About the Design Museum
A registered charity, the museum’s innovative exhibitions, partnerships, research and learning programmes evidence how design can enable this planet and its inhabitants to thrive. Our landmark building in Kensington is the centre of our national network and a global hub for the transformative potential of design.
Founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran, the museum is the place in the UK where the design industry, education and the public come together to change the way people think about themselves and the future.
The museum relocated to a spectacular modern landmark in Kensington in 2016, where it has welcomed millions of visitors since reopening and was awarded European Museum of the Year 2018.
Our vision, mission, and values
Our vision
Our vision is a world in which design enables this planet and its inhabitants to thrive.
Our mission
To be a global hub for the transformative potential or design
Our values
The museum’s core values are empathy, curiosity, collaboration and impact.
designmuseum.org
