Gallery Manager (Parental Cover) at Southwark Park Galleries

Organisation: Southwark Park Galleries
Location: London, UK, with some flexible working
Salary: £17,250 for the six-month contract (£34,500 annual equivalent), plus pension contribution
Contract: Full-time, six-month fixed-term parental cover
Hours: 40 hours per week; occasional evenings and weekends with time off in lieu
Expected start date: 15 February 2027, with two handover days or sessions in January/February
Application deadline: Monday 16 November 2026, midnight

Southwark Park Galleries is seeking a Gallery Manager to support the operational and technical delivery of its exhibitions, programmes and visitor experience during a six-month period of parental cover.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the postholder will oversee exhibition production, building operations, communications, venue hire and retail activity. They will also manage freelance Gallery Assistants and technicians.

Southwark Park Galleries is an interdisciplinary arts organisation based across two venues and a community garden in southeast London. Its programme brings together exhibitions, performances and public engagement, connecting art and nature with communities.

Responsibilities

The Gallery Manager will coordinate installations and de-installations, exhibition production, equipment hire, artwork transport, insurance and storage. They will work with artists, technicians and the Deputy Director to deliver projects on time and within budget, and support loan administration and touring exhibitions.

The postholder will act as the organisation’s Health and Safety lead, overseeing risk assessments, compliance, building maintenance and contractors. They will also serve as its designated GDPR Officer, supported by the team.

Working with the Gallery Coordinators, they will oversee website and social media activity, support press liaison and interpretive writing, and contribute to audience monitoring and archive digitisation.

The role also includes managing venue hires, developing gallery shop activity and artist editions, supporting fundraising, and coordinating events. They will oversee Gallery Assistant rotas and briefings to maintain a welcoming and informed visitor experience.

Candidate profile

Applicants should have strong experience in exhibition administration and production, including installations, loans, transport and insurance. Knowledge of contemporary art and interdisciplinary programming, experience organising events, and familiarity with building operations and Health and Safety are essential.

Southwark Park Galleries also seeks line management experience, strong communication skills and the ability to manage several projects within agreed budgets and schedules. Familiarity with audiovisual equipment, online payment systems and nonprofit funding is desirable.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the contract term. The role includes 14 days of annual leave for the six-month appointment, excluding UK bank and public holidays.

Interviews are scheduled for 3 December 2026.