The National Gallery of Ireland is Seeking an Exhibitions and Collection Services Coordinator
Application deadline: 23 June 2026
Full time, Temporary
Salary: € 38,419
The National Gallery of Ireland (‘the Gallery’) is Ireland’s major national cultural institution devoted to the collection and care of fine art. Comprising more than 19,000 paintings, drawings, watercolours, miniatures, prints, sculpture and decorative arts, the institution’s extensive holdings include masterpieces by many of the most celebrated figures in the history of western European art. In addition, the Gallery houses the most representative collection of historic Irish art. Funded mainly by the State, the Gallery employs more than 180 staff and provides free access to the public 361 days a year. The Gallery has received numerous recent awards and accreditations. These include accreditation under NSAI SWiFT 3000, which provides an independent evaluation of our compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the RIAI’s Silver Medal for Conservation and Restoration.
Description
The Gallery wishes to recruit an Exhibitions and Collection Services Coordinator for the Exhibitions & Collection Services Department on an 18‑month fixed‑term contract. This role is expected to support the Head of Exhibitions and Collection Services by liaising with curators, registrars and other departments to facilitate the exhibition process, from initial concept to installation.
Key responsibilities
- Support the Head of Exhibitions and Collection Services across multiple national and international exhibition projects to deliver to schedule, budget and standard, on site at the National Gallery and at partner venues
- Work cross departmentally to assist in planning and managing the delivery of collection programmes at the NGI on and offsite
- Manage external curator(s) and work closely with the internal curatorial team to deliver collaborative exhibitions
- Manage exhibitions and displays (particularly in-focus and medium size exhibitions), manage the project’s critical path, drawing up schedules and establishing and monitoring key milestones and deadlines
- Act as main point of contact for these projects, chair meetings and ensure action points are met
- Assist the Project Manager – Exhibition Design with the development of the exhibition identity, design, audio guide and curatorial texts
- Work closely with the Art Handling and Loans Manager in relation to courier coordination (including the preparation of courier itineraries, booking hotels and arranging per diems).
- Work closely with the Registrar team in relation to collection projects and works travelling offsite for touring
- Build positive relations with the internal project team and external stakeholders such as partners and external curators, working with diplomacy and discretion at all times
- Manage all loan lists for assigned projects, working closely with the relevant curator, reporting regularly on the status of loan requests to key stakeholders
- Act as the main point of contact for lenders, administering loan requests, managing loan agreements, ensuring that all conditions of loan are met throughout the loan period
- Ensure that accurate and detailed exhibition & loan information is recorded on the Collection Management System and that exhibition & loan files (paper & digital) are created and maintained for each project
- Monitor the condition of exhibition galleries and displays, ensuring that they are maintained throughout the exhibition, taking any corrective action necessary
- Develop, compile, update and circulate exhibition lists, exhibition statistics and project information for various different purposes and users
- Closely monitor costs and ensure the project remains within budget
- Ensure Purchase orders are raised and follow up on invoices
- Co-ordinate project debriefs and evaluations
- Supervise the loading and unloading of artworks if required (this may be out of hours)
- Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements as set out in the NGI Safety Statement
- Upon successful completion of courier training, undertake courier duties in Ireland and abroad if required
- Assume other duties appropriate to the post as assigned by the Head of Exhibitions & Collection Services
The successful candidate will have:
- A third level qualification in art history, museums studies/arts administration or related topic
- Previous work experience project managing exhibitions from start to finish in a similar environment
- Excellent organisational, administrative and Project Management skills with an ability to multi-task
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to deal diplomatically with a wide range of people at varying levels inside and outside the Gallery
- The ability to remain calm and deal courteously with people whilst working under pressure
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise a heavy workload often to multiple demanding deadlines
- A proven ability to make good judgment and appropriate decisions under pressure
- Self-motivation with a pro-active can-do attitude and a flexible approach to problem solving
- Previous experience with TMS or a comparable Collection Management System
- Good knowledge of budget control
- An ability and willingness to travel and to attend out of hours’ functions, as required to meet the Gallery’s objectives
- Excellent IT skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Commitment and interest in the Gallery & museum sector
- Knowledge of one or more European language (desirable)
Conditions of employment
This job description is a guide to broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. This may be subject to review in view of new structures and/or the changing needs of the Gallery. All employees are required to be compliant with NGI screening and Garda Vetting procedures. The post will be subject to a satisfactory medical check and successful completion of a successful probationary period. Applicants must be fluent in English and be eligible to work in Ireland.
Citizenship Requirements
Eligible candidates must be:
1. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the
Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or
2. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
3. A citizen of Switzerland, pursuant to the agreement between the EU and
Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
4. A non-EEA citizen who has a Stamp 4 permission or a Stamp 5 permission.
Please note: A 50 TEU permission, which serves as a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is considered equivalent to Stamp 4.
To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer.
Known Consignor Status
The individual in this role may be required to complete Air Cargo Security training. In accordance, a pre-employment check is carried out on prospective new staff covering the preceding 5 years. This pre-employment check involves examination of any unexplained gaps of more than 28 days. For all new staff, written confirmation shall be obtained from employers or other sources capable of verifying the information provided by the person for the purpose of the background check. No prospective employee who is required to undergo Air Cargo security training will be offered a position unless any gap of 28 days or more has been satisfactorily accounted for.
Job Details and Application Information
Grade and Salary:
The salary for this position will be in accordance with the Executive Officer (EO), as per the 1 February 2026 pay adjustments. The salary scale for this position is as follows:
€38,419 €40,360 €41,456 €43,594 €45,510 €47,364 €49,211 €51,024 €52,890 €54,749 €56,722 €58,044 €59,928 LSI1 €62,601 LSI2
- The starting salary will be at the first point on the scale, €38,419 per annum, or on a higher point of the scale, as appropriate to the successful candidate, if appointed from an existing public sector role (in accordance with Circular 08/2019).
- Candidates should note the National Gallery of Ireland complies with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations and guidelines on Public Service pay and conditions of employment.
Annual Leave: The successful candidate will be entitled to 23 days annual leave pro rata
Superannuation: The successful candidate will be placed on the public sector pension scheme.
Duration: Fixed Term Contract of 18 Months.
Working hours: Full time, 5 days a week – 35 hours per week (net of breaks). The successful candidate must be flexible and willing to work primarily on-site, and occasional out of hours including weekends (as required) as part of the role.
Benefits
- Employee discount in the Gallery Shop and café and Kilkenny Design
- Free tickets to Gallery exhibitions, up to four to share with friends and family
- Corporate membership rate at TCD Sport
- Reduced cost of annual flu vaccination
- Cycle to work scheme
- Tax Saver scheme
Any personal data that you provide when applying for this position shall be processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice.
How to apply:
To apply for this role, please submit your application online and upload the following documents in PDF format:
- CV (should be no more than three pages) detailing your relevant achievements and experience to date.
- Cover letter (should be no more than two pages) outlining why you wish to be considered and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.
Only fully completed applications submitted before the closing date will be accepted.
All enquiries relating to the role can be sent through the messaging function within the Rezoomo application system, or alternatively to the HR Team at hrhelpdesk@ngi.ie. Canvassing will disqualify.
Panel:
Candidates should note that at the end of the candidate assessment process a panel of successful candidates may be formed based on order of merit, from which future positions may be filled.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 23 June 2026
Interviews will be scheduled in July 2026.
At the National Gallery of Ireland, we value equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the benefits it can bring to our staff and our visitors interactions. We celebrate difference and want our people to be representative of all communities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
The National Gallery of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
Image credits: Mainie Jellett (1897-1944), A composition, 1930s. Image, National Gallery of Ireland via National Gallery of Ireland website
