Recruitment Gallery Manager Salary: Reporting to: Department: 40,000 (FTE, permanent) Director of Exhibitions Exhibitions V&A Museum of Design Dundee Opening in 2018, V&A Museum of Design Dundee will be the only V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London. It will be the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland: an international centre for design, a place of inspiration, discovery and learning. V&A Dundee will present the largely untold story of Scotland s outstanding design achievements, bringing together in one place the world-renowned V&A collections with loans from other collections in Scotland and beyond to allow everyone to understand and be inspired by this important design heritage. These collections will be accompanied by international touring exhibitions from the V&A, making Dundee the only location in the UK outside London to receive these globally significant exhibitions. In addition, V&A Dundee will also originate its own exhibitions. The 80.11m project to create the museum is at the heart of Dundee s ambitious 1bn waterfront regeneration supporting the creation of more jobs and wider economic benefits. It will generate civic pride and transform the city region as a tourism destination. V&A Dundee will be the first building in the UK designed by Kengo Kuma, the internationally renowned architect who is also designing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium. His vision is for the museum to be a new living room for the city, welcoming everyone to visit, enjoy and socialise, and to reconnect the city with its historic River Tay waterfront. V&A Dundee is being delivered by Design Dundee Ltd (DDL), established through the partnership of the V&A, the University of Dundee, Abertay University, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council. It is the flagship of Dundee s waterfront development, symbolising the city s new confidence and regeneration.
Exhibitions Department The Exhibitions Department realises the ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions and commissions across the Museum celebrating Scotland s importance in design as well as showcasing major exhibitions of outstanding international design. The temporary exhibitions programme will stage three major exhibitions per year including exhibitions from the Victoria and Albert Museum and those curated by V&A Dundee. The programme is devised by the Director of Exhibitions in discussion with colleagues in the Exhibition, Learning, Audiences and Development departments. Exhibitions are accompanied by publications and a dedicated public programme. The Department consists of two curators, two assistant curators and a gallery manager. Role profile The Gallery Manager takes responsibility for the care of all objects entrusted to the Museum, managing the installation, de-installation and maintenance of all exhibitions. They are also responsible for ensuring that the galleries, workshop and object store are all maintained to the highest standards. The Gallery Manager will take direct responsibility for managing the installation, de-installation of the temporary exhibition programme of up to three major exhibitions annually, as well as the changing exhibitions in the Michelin Design Gallery. They will work closely with the Learning and Innovation department to support the delivery of its programme to the highest standard. The Gallery Manager will also work closely with Visitor Services on exhibition handover, maintenance, building, security and health & safety issues. They will be expected to operate as a Duty Manager as required during installation periods.
Duties and Responsibilities Installations Planning, organising and preparing all necessary equipment, display and other installation requirements with the Learning and Innovation department as well as external curators and designers. Procuring and managing external contractors in the design and construction of exhibition architecture as required in line with the design briefs developed with curators. Commissioning external contractors for the construction of temporary walls. Organising and supervising the work of freelance technicians. This includes ensuring that all health and safety requirements are adhered to. Overseeing the safe and professional installation and deinstallation of all exhibitions. Liaising with colleagues in Exhibitions with regard to logistics for the transport, delivery and collection of works to and from the Museum. Supervising, loading, unloading, condition checking and handling of all objects, liaising with curators, couriers and conservators. Liaising with the Learning and Innovation department with regard to exhibition specific guarding requirements to ensure an appropriate standard and style of invigilation is maintained in the galleries. Take a lead role in conservation within the Museum in regards to ensuring the proper display and maintenance of objects, the monitoring of environmental conditions as well as liaising between relevant departments to ensure proper preventative conservation for any objects in the care of the Museum. Liaising with Visitor Services on exhibition Health and Safety issues, maintaining a Health and Safety conscious environment throughout installations and ensuring that all access requirements and the needs of disabled visitors are met. Liaising with Visitor Services/ Exhibitions Team with regard to exhibition specific guarding requirements to ensure an appropriate standard and style of invigilation is maintained within the galleries. Managing logistical requirements for the rotation of permanent gallery displays including liaison with lenders.
Maintenance Regularly monitoring the exhibitions to ensure that they are maintained to the highest standards. Provide a systematic handover of exhibitions to the Visitor Services team informing them of specific AV and invigilation duties. Overseeing the upkeep and maintenance of the galleries, workshop facilities, tools, AV and stores; developing and implementing a planned maintenance programme for those spaces. Ensure that building maintenance standards are met, with reference to the galleries, workshop facilities, tools and AV and stores. Maintaining an inventory of tools and relevant equipment owned by the Museum and a note of their condition. Administration Organising and maintaining project files, including correspondence with lenders, designers, technicians and contracted service providers as appropriate. Assisting in drawing up installation plans and schedules. Drawing up and managing installation budgets in close consultation with the Director of Exhibitions, informing Curators and the Administration & Finance Team of any key variances. Providing training for V&A Dundee staff in the conservation and handling of objects as necessary. Developing an emergency plan for the Museum.
General To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/ dignity and actively contributing to developments that support the Museum s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity. Advising the Director of Exhibitions and the Senior Management Team on installation issues concerning the Museum. Representing the Museum at relevant public and networking events. Assisting when necessary with the set-up of events and gallery hires in the building. Any other duties that may reasonably be requested by the Director of Exhibitions.
Person Specification The post requires a mature, organised, committed and enthusiastic individual with a minimum of four years relevant experience. Essential Proven experience of object handling and complex 3D object based exhibition installation management to the very highest standard. Proven experience of working with designers and external contractors. Strong practical abilities, including hands-on skills such as basic carpentry, and competence with tools, experience of running a workshop. Strong organisational, communication and administrative abilities. Good management and supervisory skills and experience with a proven track record of running efficient installations with teams of freelance technicians. Up-to-date knowledge and experience of working with new ICT technology. Strong affinity with contemporary design, as well as interest in Learning. The ability to act with tact and diplomacy with individuals from a variety of situations and backgrounds. Experience of using Microsoft Word, Excel. Excellent understanding of H&S matters, able to provide strong managerial support regarding these matters and to ensure good compliance. Good experience and understanding of the requirements of working with museum objects. Desirable Experience of using CAD and databases. Experience of monitoring budgets. Experience of working in/maintaining exhibition space and housing historic objects.
How to apply Applicants are asked to submit the following: A covering statement, of no more than 500 words, outlining your suitability for the role. A CV covering your relevant experience and current salary, of no more than two A4 sides. Please send these to: Sophie McKinlay Director of Exhibitions V&A Dundee Dundee DD1 4QB Or email: sophie.mckinlay@vandadundee.org Deadline for applications: no later than 5pm, Monday 12 June, 2017. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 28 June, 2017 in Dundee. V&A Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.