Salary: £36,950 per annum
Contractual hours: 35
Basis: Full Time
Job category/type: Collections and Research
Date posted: 25/11/2025
Application deadline: 02 Jan 2026
Job Context
When completed in Spring 2028, the National Gallery’s refurbished Research Centre will provide us with a premier, public-facing space to support and showcase our world-leading research into our collections. The breadth and depth of these exciting ambitions necessarily means that the Research Centre will sit at the intersection of multiple valued research stakeholders both within and beyond the Gallery, including the Gallery’s own wide array of research-active staff, our Artists-in-Residence, specialist users of the Library & Archive, and a research-engaged general public attending events and consulting collections.
The Research Centre Manager will be responsible for supporting the daily delivery of an exceptional experience at the Research Centre and for thinking creatively alongside Gallery colleagues about the Centre’s different spaces. They will provide vital clarity and consistency in the day-to-day running of the Centre, coordinating the potentially competing needs of its stakeholders to ensure a smoothly functioning whole. They will also play a key role in upholding our standards and ensuring a high-quality experience for our guests. Collaborating closely with colleagues across departments, they will ensure that the experience of a diverse range of guests is uniformly excellent, inspirational, and safe, helping shape the Centre at all stages from planning to launch and daily delivery.
Job Purpose
The Research Centre Manager will oversee and coordinate all aspects of the Research Centre operations, including managing staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining the Research Centre facilities and administration. They will handle the Centre’s key relationships, budget management, and marketing to ensure programming is successful and guests have a positive experience. They will also contribute alongside colleagues to the Centre’s creative programming.
This multifaceted role requires strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills to manage both day-to-day operations and strategic planning for the Centre.
Scope of Job
Centre Planning
• Act as a key contact in ongoing planning for the Centre as well as supplying information concerning research resources and stakeholders.
• Contribute to project planning meetings and represent the needs of future Research Centre users, both internal and external.
• Work with the Head of Research and Senior Research Lead to develop the Research Centre operation.
• Support the successful launch of the new Centre in Spring 2028, including front-of-house planning and all accompanying research programming, events, networks, partnerships, communications, and finances.
Centre Programming
• Work closely with Senior Research Lead and Head of Research to plan, deliver and review the Research Centre’s annual programme, including coordinating with colleagues, promoters, production, and overseeing event logistics and correspondence.
• Develop a strong knowledge of our research collections and activities, in order to work creatively alongside colleagues and contribute to the Centre’s programme planning.
Centre Coordination
• Coordinate the delivery of research events and act as the main point of contact for event enquiries from the public, keeping Senior Research Lead appraised.
• Coordinate the organisation of the Gallery’s quarterly Research Advisory Committee meetings.
• Ensure the practical, administrative, and office needs of long-term visiting researchers based in the Research Centre are met, including Visiting Research Fellows and Artists-in-Residence.
• Ensure internal diaries are kept updated with forthcoming Research Centre activity and inform staff of upcoming activities through SharePoint.
• Work with external partners to host collaborative events outside the NG and, in such cases, act on behalf of the Centre in approving all externally produced event materials and delivery.
• Oversee the collation of research event-related content for uploading/publishing by the Research Events Coordinator to the NG website.
Client Relations
• Develop relationships with researchers, artists, students, suppliers, and clients, negotiating contracts and ensuring all parties’ needs are met.
• Act as central point of contact for visiting users of the Library & Archive, including queries with bookings and liaison with Library & Archive staff.
• Act as central point of contact for external and internal researchers who wish to collaborate with the Research Centre and/or engage with its resources.
• Act as a central liaison for communication and collaboration between the Research Centre and all other relevant stakeholders and contractors.
Staff Management
• Recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate staff, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring the efficient and effective running of the Centre.
Operational Oversight
• Ensure the Centre is running smoothly and efficiently, managing day-to-day operations, and maintaining all facilities and equipment.
Financial Management
• Manage budgets, invoicing, and other administrative tasks related to the Centre’s finances.
Compliance and Safety
• Ensure the Centre complies with all local licensing, code, and safety regulations, enforcing security protocols.
Marketing and Promotion
• Promote the Centre and its events through various marketing channels, including social media.
Customer Service
• Address customer issues and queries, striving to create memorable experiences for all guests.
