Exhibition Manager

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Summer Exhibition Manager at Royal Academy of Arts

Organisation: Royal Academy of Arts
Location: London, UK
Salary: £41,218 annually
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Application deadline: 22 November 2026, 23:00 GMT

About the Role

The Royal Academy of Arts is seeking a Summer Exhibition Manager to assist the Senior Managing Curator in delivering the annual Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and other Academician-related projects.

The role involves full project management from selection to close down, ensuring the smooth running of all exhibition logistics and adherence to defined budgets.

Reporting to the Senior Managing Curator – Summer Exhibition, the successful candidate will coordinate exhibition planning, installation and de-installation, contracts, budgets and relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Organise and manage exhibition logistics, including loan lists, insurance, transport and installation/de-installation requirements.
Lead the planning, installation and de-installation of the Summer Exhibition Courtyard artwork.
Create, manage and monitor contracts relating to the Summer Exhibition, including negotiating loan agreements with artists and their representatives.
Work with the RA Architect and Project Managers on gallery preparation, exhibition builds, 3D design and in-gallery signage.
Coordinate timetables and schedules for external stakeholders, contractors and internal departments.
Work closely with the Senior Art Handling and Gallery Manager on exhibition installation and de-installation planning.
Manage external consultants, including framers, conservators and mount makers.
Manage the Summer Exhibition budget under the supervision of the Senior Managing Curator, monitoring expenditure and processing invoices.
Attend Summer Exhibition Committee meetings and contribute to exhibition policy and planning.
Line manage Summer Exhibition Assistants, supporting their training and professional development.

Requirements and Qualifications

Graduate or postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies, Gallery Management, Art History or an equivalent field, and/or comparable exhibition management experience.
Extensive exhibition organisation experience, ideally gained within a visual arts organisation.
Experience negotiating loans, organising transport, managing commercial insurance and planning exhibition installations and de-installations.
Knowledge of customs procedures, UK tax, temporary and permanent importation, and export regulations.
Experience preparing and negotiating contracts and agreements associated with exhibition organisation.
Strong project management, schedule planning, budget management and administrative skills.
Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Good working knowledge of Excel, Word and databases.
A genuine interest in the arts and the work of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Working Conditions

The role occasionally requires working outside usual hours, including weekdays and weekends during exhibition installation and de-installation periods.

Image: Courtesy of Royal Academy of Arts.