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Chief Curator (Maternity Cover)

Job Title: Chief Curator (Maternity Cover)
Reporting to: Director
Direct reports: Curators x 2 and Assistant Curators x 2
Indirect reports:Interns

Role Overview

This position is responsible for managing the production and delivery of Nottingham Contemporary’s artistic programme, including exhibitions, live programmes, performances and related curatorial projects, as well as the staff, budget and responsibilities of the Exhibitions and Live Programmes teams. The postholder is also responsible for fundraising additional income for these programmes and contributing to cross-departmental strategic work as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Main Responsibilities

Exhibitions and Live Programmes

  • Successfully manage and deliver Nottingham Contemporary’s ambitious programme of exhibitions, live programmes, performances and related curatorial projects
  • Contribute to ideas for Nottingham Contemporary’s future programme in collaboration with the Director and alongside the curatorial team
  • Foster and lead an integrated approach to artistic programming across the Exhibitions, Live Programmes and Learning teams, working closely with the Director and Head of Learning to actively facilitate cross-departmental conversations and support collaborative projects
  • Oversee all aspects of exhibition delivery including:
    • Negotiate and professionally administer loans from private and public collections
    • Project-manage the production of new commissions
    • Oversee registrarial operations, including transport, customs and insurance,in liaison with the Curator and Assistant Curator
    • Oversee technical production, installation and ongoing maintenance of exhibitions in liaison with Nottingham Contemporary’s technical team
    • Develop and manage local and international partnerships and collaborations with museums, galleries and other organisations
    • Contribute to the risk assessment of exhibitions, in consultation with the Head Technician and Visitor Services team
  • Write and edit texts and other content for interpretation and marketing materials – both in print and digital
  • Oversee relationships between the technical team and the Exhibitions and Live Programmes team to ensure smooth planning, delivery and constructive feedback processes
  • Oversee contractual agreements with artists, lenders, partners and other stakeholders
  • Oversee the administration of the Exhibitions and Live Programmes teams

Finance, Fundraising & Evaluation

  • Plan and control the Exhibitions and Live Programmes team budgets, in agreement with the Director and Head of Finance & Operations
  • Raise additional funds for the artistic programme from trusts, foundations and benefactors to meet income targets
  • Contribute to strategic fundraising conversations with the Director, Head of Development and development team
  • Cultivate relationships with stakeholders and patrons, including contributing to fundraising events and leading patron tours
  • Ensure appropriate documentation, archiving, reporting and evaluation of all elements of the artistic programme

People Management

  • Be an outstanding member of the Senior Leadership Team, upholding our values and contributing to Nottingham Contemporary being a high-performing organisation and an excellent employer
  • Lead, motivate and develop the team to deliver high-quality work
  • Ensure consistency of practice and procedures across the Exhibitions and Live
  • Programmes teams, in line with Nottingham Contemporary’s policies
  • Manage trainees and freelance contributors, and oversee relevant internship and
  • work placement schemes
  • Carry out performance management of direct reports, including regular one-to-ones
  • and annual performance development reviews, identifying development opportunities
  • and skill/ knowledge sharing as appropriate
  • Support direct reports with their work duties during peak work periods

Collaborative Working

  • Deliver presentations of the programme and represent Nottingham Contemporary to local, national and international constituencies, inside and outside the art sector
  • Contribute to partnership work with the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, liaising with academic colleagues to signpost and facilitate collaborations as required
  • Contribute to the cross-departmental strategic work of the Senior Leadership Team, including delivery of the Arts Council’s Activity Plan and Investment Principles, and Equity, Inclusion and Access work
  • Lead on Nottingham Contemporary’s environmental work, including chairing cross- team Green Team meetings and overseeing delivery of actions in line with Arts Council commitments
  • Contribute to Nottingham Contemporary’s audience development strategies, working closely with the Head of Marketing to ensure that the programmes reach broad and diverse audiences
  • Cultivate existing and new relationships with press
  • Ensure gallery staff are well-informed about Nottingham Contemporary’s future programme
  • Identify and deliver, personally or with third parties, the staff development needs of the organisation, and support their creative involvement in the programme.

Other

  • Complete relevant training and meetings to support the organisation’s values, your role and development.
  • Contribute to Safeguarding practice, ensuring Safeguarding policy and principles are a core part of your work.
  • To undertake any other duties as reasonably requested

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Knowledge and Experience

  • Extensive knowledge of contemporary art and its contexts, as well as an extensive international network
  • A proven track record of researching and presenting ambitious exhibitions, public programmes and publications
  • Extensive experience of managing the production of new commissions
  • A proven track record of fundraising and cultivating patron relations
  • Experience of managing loans and registrarial duties, including artwork shipping
  • Experience of line-management
  • Experience of producing interpretation, print and publications of high quality and of digital archiving

Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to work well with artists and collaborate effectively with other institutions
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills
  • An efficient, flexible and collaborative approach to working
  • Ability to effectively manage budgets and anticipate and assess risks
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of team and to work collaboratively with colleagues across Nottingham Contemporary and externally
  • Ability to speak confidently in public to a range of groups
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and accuracy in editing and proof reading
  • High standards of timekeeping and reliability
  • Ability to work calmly under pressure and problem solve

Personal Attributes

  • Brave to challenge, take risks and be accountable
  • Open to collaborative working and being inclusive
  • Hopeful, conscientious and able to create experiences that inspire
  • Resourceful, respectful and professional
  • Self-motivated and proactive approach to work
  • A commitment to Nottingham Contemporary’s social and cultural contexts

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Knowledge and Experience

  • Understanding of safeguarding issues, with a willingness to undertake training and DBS checks, as appropriate
  • Knowledge of Nottingham’s local communities and art scene
  • Knowledge of languages other than English
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