Exhibitions Manager – Charleston Trust, East Sussex, United Kingdom

Department: Exhibitions
Contract: Fixed-term (until December 2027)
Salary: £27,700 – £33,800
Hours: 35 hours per week (hybrid, up to 2 days remote)
Location: Charleston in Firle (BN8 6LL) & Charleston in Lewes (BN7 1FB), UK
Reports to: Head of Exhibitions
Deadline: 12 March 2026 (9am)

Charleston Trust is seeking an Exhibitions Manager to lead the delivery and management of its exhibition programme across its Firle and Lewes sites, as well as touring projects.

The role oversees exhibition planning, logistics, budgets, loans, conservation, contracts, and stakeholder coordination, working closely with artists, estates, curators, designers, contractors, and internal teams.

Preferred start date: no later than 4 May 2026.

Key Responsibilities

Exhibition Management

• Lead exhibition project management (budgets, schedules, logistics)

• Negotiate loan agreements, transport, insurance, and display requirements

• Draft and negotiate contracts with artists, lenders, and contractors

• Oversee conservation arrangements and condition reporting

• Manage touring exhibitions and off-site projects

• Contribute to exhibition interpretation, accessibility, and sustainability

• Support private views, press previews, and stakeholder events

• Collaborate on marketing campaigns and exhibition merchandise

• Oversee environmental monitoring and gallery inspections

• Act as courier for loans when required

Strategic & Planning

• Develop systems and procedures to improve exhibition planning cycles

• Contribute to future programming and capital planning

• Support funding applications and evaluation reporting

• Advocate for Charleston within professional networks

People & Operations

• Supervise technician teams during installations

• Support volunteer involvement

• Collaborate on exhibition catalogues and publications

• Liaise with publishers, contributors, and rights holders

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience managing exhibitions

• Knowledge of best practice in exhibition planning, loans, transport, insurance, and conservation

• Experience negotiating with artists, estates, lenders, and contractors

• Strong project management and budgeting skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to draft contracts and agreements

• Understanding of collections care, environmental monitoring, accessibility, and sustainability

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines

• Collaborative and solutions-focused approach

Desirable

• Experience producing exhibition catalogues

• Touring exhibition experience

• Knowledge of copyright and image licensing

• Public speaking and tour delivery experience

• Familiarity with design/publishing workflows

Benefits & Conditions

• Hybrid working model

• Flexible working arrangements

• Subject to references and proof of right to work in the UK

Applications require a CV and cover letter (max. 2 pages) or an audio/video submission (max. 10 minutes).