1 Permanent position Opportunity in Greater Manchester

Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 per annum dependent upon experience (pro rata if applicable)

Contract: permanent, full-time (37 hours) although flexible working will be considered including compressed hours, reduced hours (minimum 29.6 hours), and flexible start and finish times

Hybrid working arrangements are available, balancing homeworking with office days

Play a central role in continuing to develop our reputation as one of the world’s leading art galleries. Apply before it's too late!

The Hepworth Wakefield has welcomed over 2.4 million visitors since opening in May 2011 and is now established as a major local, national and international museum, winning Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2017. We present an acclaimed programme of historical and contemporary art exhibitions alongside displays drawn from Wakefield's growing collection of 20th-century and contemporary art. Central to our work is our ambitious learning programme that engages a broad and diverse audience. To bring our wider site to life The Hepworth Garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, opened in August 2019 and is one of the largest free public gardens in the UK. Later this year the 19th century mill building complex opposite the gallery will be opening as a vibrant creative industries and education hub.

We are seeking a director of collection & exhibitions who will join our executive team and play a central role in continuing to develop our reputation as one of the world’s leading art galleries, creating unforgettable art experiences that attract broad audiences while inspiring positive change locally. You will oversee the strategic development of Wakefield’s growing art collection and lead on the research and curation of an integrated programme of contemporary and art historical exhibitions, both on and off site. You will provide outstanding leadership to the Collection and Exhibitions team and work collaboratively across the organisation to achieve our long-term strategic ambitions.

Knowledge, skills, experience

• A good first degree and a further post-graduate qualification in Art History, Curatorial Studies or Fine Art, or extensive equivalent experience
• An extensive knowledge of contemporary art, artists, collectors and artworld networks
• Broad 20th century art historical knowledge, ideally coupled with a good working knowledge of 20th century British art
• An ability to work strategically both as part of a team and independently, leading multiple projects while remaining calm and organised under pressure
• Excellent verbal communication skills and a sensitive and politically astute negotiator, able to cultivate and develop strategic partnerships and key relationships with high net worth individuals and stakeholders
• Impeccable writing skills and proven experience of high-quality writing on contemporary art and an ability to write texts for an appropriate range of audiences and contexts
• Highly diplomatic, with an ability to achieve satisfactory outcomes when resolving sensitive problems and challenges
• Confident public speaker able to represent the gallery and its programme credibly in the most senior international professional contexts
• Prepared to travel and work evenings and weekends as required
• A commitment to anti-racism, diversity & equality in the workplace
• Senior curatorial experience gained within a major gallery, or as an independent curator
• A proven commitment to developing diverse and new audiences for art through programming
• Proven fundraising experience from high net worth donors, to help realise ambitious curatorial projects

Desirable

• Experience of working with an art collection
• A strong publishing track record

We are committed to improving diversity within our organisation and we welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented within the arts sector.

Deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 13 June 2022

Please note we only accept completed application forms. No agencies.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.