Job Title: Exhibitions Manager
Department: Exhibitions
Reports to: Senior Exhibitions Manager (SEM)
BACKGROUND
The Royal Academy’s Exhibitions Department organises a world class programme of exhibitions every year, focusing on solo exhibitions of historic, modern and living artists, artistic schools and movements, key international collections, large-scale surveys of major civilizations and work by Royal Academicians.
Drawn from public and private collections, the programme is often organised in partnership with leading museums internationally. It is displayed in three suites of galleries: the Main Galleries (approximately 1900 square metres), the Jillian and Arthur M. Sackler Wing of Galleries (approximately 330 square metres) and the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries (approximately 320 square metres). The Main Galleries are one of the largest temporary exhibition galleries in Europe.
MAIN OBJECTIVE
To contribute to the successful delivery of the RA’s Exhibitions Programme by project managing specific exhibitions, from inception to conclusion, ensuring the smooth running of all exhibition logistics and adherence to defined budgets.
MAIN DUTIES
Organisation
- Work closely with the Curators (both internal and external) and Rights & Reproductions team on the delivery of individual exhibitions.
- Generate loan letters in conjunction with the curatorial team, follow up on queries and provide progress information on individual loan requests as required.
- Establish positive working relationships with all lenders and key stakeholders, work with diplomacy and discretion at all times to negotiate and authorise loan agreements, manage all correspondence in relation to conservation, transport, couriers, insurance and display matters
- Organise all aspects of exhibition logistics to include: loan lists, insurance, British Government Indemnity, transport and installation/de-installation requirements and in accordance with individual exhibition needs, Health & Safety regulations and agreed departmental policies and practices.
- Manage external consultants (designers, curators, conservators), obtain necessary information, verify details and deal with queries and difficulties as they arise.
- Liaise with internal departments as necessary during all stages in the planning, organisation and delivery of specific projects to ensure good information flow and smooth delivery of each exhibition
- Manage the planning of all aspects of 3D design, lighting and AV and IT as required for assigned exhibitions working closely with the curator(s) and appointed designer(s). Work closely with the contractors and internal teams during implementation and completion.
- Construct timetables, schedules and team-working plans for reference by external stakeholders (guest curators, exhibition designers, conservators); RA departments (Art Handlers, Security, Engineers) and touring partners.
- Retain informed and up-to-date knowledge of developments relating to British Government Indemnity, Immunity from Seizure, Known Consignor, conservation and display considerations, and other matters relating to exhibitions organisation
- Manage all aspects of exhibition logistics for touring exhibitions. Develop opportunities for Academy generated exhibitions to tour to other venues, in conjunction with the Curators, SEM, Head of Exhibition Management (HofEM), Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions.
- Undertake courier duties, as required.
- Line manage Assistant Exhibition Managers
Financial and Contractual
- Manage budgets and budget forecasts for allocated exhibitions, monitor costs and highlight potential overspend to the SEM.
- Co-ordinate the process for invitation to tender for transport agents, external designers and contractors among others.
- Negotiate contracts with designers and contractors with reference to the SEM/HofEM; ensure contract approval and negotiation support from in house legal team
Other
- Gather and disseminate information promptly to relevant departments in the Academy
- Represent the Exhibitions Department, as appropriate, at cross-organisational meetings such as disaster planning, induction programme delivery, sustainability sub-groups, etc.
- Undertake any other duty which may reasonably be allocated by the SEM, HoEM, Director of Exhibitions and other senior officers.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
KNOWLEDGE
- Graduate or Postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies, Gallery Management, Art History or equivalent.
- Knowledge of a second language would be an advantage
SKILLS
- Well-honed project management skills, well organised, an excellent administrator with good attention to detail
- Ability to work simultaneously on numerous different projects
- Ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues across the department, other Academy staff, conservators and external contractors such as designers and transport agents.
- An adaptable approach to work, to achieve agreed deadlines and projects within tight schedules.
- First class communication skills, both written and spoken; strong drafting skills
- Ability to compile and present complex reports, maintain clear and concise records, filing and effective monitoring systems.
- Highly computer literate with specific knowledge of Excel, Word and databases.
- Commercially minded, numerate, with strong negotiation skills.
EXPERIENCE
- At least 4 years relevant and extensive exhibition organisation experience, ideally gained in an equivalent visual arts organisation or similar.
- Demonstrable experience of schedule planning.
- Practical experience in the handling, transportation, installation/de-installation and display of a broad range of museum objects and works of art, together with other registrar duties.
- Robust experience of exhibition budget formulation and monitoring; ability to highlight specific issues and implications for discussion with senior managers.
- Experience of preparing and negotiating agreements and contracts associated with exhibition organisation, and of working with Government Indemnity schemes.
- Experience of organising and co-ordinating tender processes.
- Previous experience of staff supervision
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal and communication skills –to effectively manage relationships with lenders, individuals, agencies, institutions, designers, transport agents, drivers, couriers and conservators
- Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as a team member in a project-based environment – initiating and building on ideas with a positive attitude.
- Confident and assertive
- A genuine interest in the work of the Academy
