Project Lead, Masterplan Projects – National Gallery, London, UK

Institution: The National Gallery
Location: London, U
Deadline: 18 January 2026
Contract: Fixed-term (up to 36 months)
Working hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £70,000 per annum
Reports to: Head of Masterplan Projects

The Project Lead, Masterplan Projects will lead the delivery of major capital projects at the National Gallery. The initial project is the transformation of the Gallery’s Library and Archive into a state-of-the-art Research Centre, supporting academic, creative, and public engagement.

The project includes internal refurbishments, improved site connectivity, a new entrance from Trafalgar Square, and an underground connection to the Sainsbury Wing. It is currently at RIBA Stage 4, with contractor procurement planned for early 2026 and completion scheduled for August 2028.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead client-side delivery of Masterplan capital projects from procurement to completion and handover

• Manage external project managers, design teams, and consultants

• Oversee budget, programme, quality, risk, and governance

• Act as main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders

• Coordinate reporting for Project Boards, FPPR meetings, and Masterplan Committees

• Manage stakeholder sign-offs and change control across all RIBA stages

• Oversee fit-out, decant planning, and organisational impact of works

• Support communications, fundraising, and post-project reviews

Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience leading client-side capital projects through RIBA stages

• Experience delivering projects in galleries, museums, or heritage environments

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary creative and technical teams

• Experience managing large project budgets and external consultants

• Strong risk management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills

• High level of digital and project systems literacy