Curator / Exhibition Manager | UK

Curator / Exhibition Manager

Applications close on 13 June 2018 at 17.00
Interviews will be held on 15 June 2018 in Dundee

Salary: £34,000 pro rata
Contract type: six-month fixed term contract
Reporting to: Director of Programme
Department: Exhibitions

Role profile

The Curators work with a small and busy team on the realisation of projects with designers, lenders and design institutions; delivering historic and contemporary exhibitions and commissions. They will take responsibility for the conceptual development, organisation and co-ordination of exhibitions and publications assigned by the Director of Exhibitions, including budgetary management and fundraising.

As a member of the exhibitions team, the Curator contributes ideas to the Museum’s programme, is essential to the department’s collegiate work environment and liaises with other internal departments and with the professional design world, in one of the most dynamic design environments in Europe.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scottish Design Galleries

• Liaise with Constantine about crate lists and any updates to delivery/collection schedules, working closely with Gallery Manager to ensure these fit with the installation schedule.
• Liaise closely with Gallery Manager during delivery, unpacking and installation period, assist onsite where necessary. Ensure display, mounting and light levels are in line with lender specifications. Troubleshoot and problems that may arise onsite with the installation team.
• Oversee lender liaison; working with Assistant Curators to ensure relevant information is communicated to lenders, lender tracker is kept up to date and digital lender files have key documents and correspondence. Create a schedule to detail what information needs to be sent to lenders and when during the period of loan (e.g monthly environment readings, etc), including lender visits for condition checking.
• Oversee/assist with condition reporting during unpacking and installation period.
• Oversee management and scheduling of couriers, working with Assistant Curators and Programme Assistant.
• Regularly monitor and update transport budget, report any cost changes to Director of Programme and V&A Project Manager.
• Work with Assistant Curators to monitor any other loan related costs and ensure any cost changes are reported to Director of Programme and V&A Project Manager.
• Overseeing the adequate insurance of objects through commercial insurance and applications to the Museums and Galleries Government Indemnity Scheme and compiling and filing insurance claims in the event of loss or damage of work. Submission of applications for future loan rotations.
• Manage the planning for future rotations of loans, including schedule and budget.

V&A touring exhibition (April 2019)

• Lead on the next touring exhibition from V&A to open in Dundee April 2019.
• Responsible for exhibition planning and project management.
• Monitor and update project budget and schedule, reporting to Director of Programme.
• Manage procurement of designer and/or build contractor.
• Manage designer and/or build contract(s).
• Liaise closely with V&A South Kensington, ensuring information is received from the V&A South Kensington as necessary and their requirements and deliverables are met (as outlined in the exhibition contract).
• Manage lender liaison where indicated by V&A South Kensington.
• Carry out research into game designers and related content that could feed into wider programming, meet with external stakeholders, etc.
• Work closely with Learning and Digital on programming content.
• Chair internal project team meetings.
• Disseminate relevant information to internal departments and liaise on publicity, sponsorship, press, website, operations and visitor services.
• Manage GIS applications and commercial insurance requirements.
• Overseeing transport arrangements including the monitoring of the tendering process to ensure advantageous terms and conditions.
• Work closely with Gallery Manager to plan and oversee build and installation.
• Manager courier arrangements.
• Oversee condition checking.

Person specification

Essential

• Further degree in Design History, Theory or Practice, or extensive equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience of working with designers.
• Senior curatorial/ project management experience in a significant Museum or Gallery or as an independent curator.
• Extensive knowledge of contemporary design, designers and design world networks.
• Confident public speaker able to represent the Museum and its programmes.
• Proven senior level organisational skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently, remaining calm under pressure.
• Excellent communication and accuracy in written communication.
• Good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy.
• Experience of managing complex projects and budgets within an organisational context.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.vandadundee.org/curator-exhibition-manager