MACBA is Seeking a Director
Contract duration: 5 years
Gross annual salary: €115,000
Application deadline: April 3, 2026.
About MACBA
The MACBA – Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art has the mission of bringing contemporary art to life, with particular attention to Catalan contemporary art.
Through research, knowledge production, and dissemination, the museum aims to attract the widest possible audiences to engage with contemporary art and culture. The museum seeks to create meaningful connections between visitors, the institution, and society.
About the Role
This call aims to select the person who will occupy the position of Director of MACBA, under a senior executive employment relationship, in accordance with Royal Decree 1382/1985 regulating senior management employment relationships.
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Contract duration: 5 years
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Possible extension: up to an additional 3 years with explicit approval of the General Council
Gross annual salary: €115,000
This salary will be adjusted annually according to the increases approved by the Barcelona City Council for senior management staff.
The position requires full-time and exclusive dedication.
The Director of MACBA is responsible for:
- artistic leadership
- heritage and strategic direction
- institutional representation of the museum.
Functions and Responsibilities of the Director
According to MACBA statutes, the Director will:
- Provide artistic and heritage direction of the museum.
- Direct the services and activities carried out by the museum.
- Provide technical advice to the governing bodies of the consortium.
- Propose acquisitions of artworks up to €15,000 to the museum management, and above that amount to the Delegated Commission.
- Develop the museum’s artistic and content program.
- Issue reports on the acceptance of donations, bequests, and inheritances.
- Perform any additional functions delegated by consortium bodies.
Additional responsibilities include:
- Developing strategic initiatives aligned with the Delegated Commission and General Council
- Leading artistic, research, and heritage strategy
- Defining collection strategies and acquisition proposals
- Planning exhibitions, programs, and activities
- Supervising research programs and academic collaborations
- Leading the artistic and content teams
- Representing MACBA institutionally
- Supporting initiatives to increase the museum’s own revenue
- Strengthening relationships with media and the contemporary art sector
- Presenting an annual report with performance indicators
The Director works in coordination with the General Manager, who oversees administration, staff management, financial management, assets, and operational governance.
Candidate Requirements
Candidates must:
- Hold a recognized university degree
- Have at least three years of experience in leadership or senior roles in museums or contemporary art centers
- Have knowledge of one official language of Catalonia (Catalan or Spanish) and commit to achieving proficiency in the other within one year
- Knowledge of English and other languages will be valued
Nationality:
Candidates of any nationality may apply, including non-EU citizens.
However, before signing the employment contract the selected candidate must demonstrate legal eligibility to work in Spain under applicable immigration and employment law.
Additional requirements:
- No disciplinary dismissal from public administration
- No legal disqualification from public service
- No incompatibility with the role under current legislation.
Applicants must also consent to data processing and provide authorization for criminal record verification.
Application Procedure and Required Documentation
Applications must be submitted electronically via the MACBA electronic portal.
Deadline: 32 calendar days from the day after publication of the call (March 2nd, 2026)
Applications must include:
- Curriculum Vitae and Motivation Letter
(with documentation supporting qualifications) - Copy of identification (ID/passport/residence permit)
- Director’s Project Proposal
Director’s Project Proposal
Candidates must submit a strategic project for the museum covering five years, with:
- maximum 30 pages
- single spacing
- Arial 12 font
- written in Catalan or Spanish
The proposal should follow the ICOM definition of a museum as a permanent, non-profit institution serving society.
It must define:
- strategic axes
- programming lines
- institutional leadership vision
It must also address:
- museum expansion
- increasing self-generated income
- audience engagement
- institutional leadership.
Key areas to cover include:
- MACBA as a space for artistic avant-garde and creativity
- Collection management
- Exhibition programming
- Internationalization strategy
- Integration of MACBA’s spaces
- Educational and public programs
- Audience development and visitor experience
- Relationship with the Raval neighborhood
- Increasing own resources (sponsorship, partnerships)
- Institutional positioning within Barcelona and Catalonia
Applicants must also include an annex (1 page) listing:
- three strategic priorities
- three key performance indicators.
Failure to submit the CV, motivation letter, and project proposal will result in exclusion from the process.
Visit the link below for more information about the position.
This call has been translated from Catalan. Proficiency in Catalan is likely essential; please contact the employer if unsure.
