Working at Tate

Tate is recognised as one of the leading arts organisations in the world, and aims to be the most artistically adventurous and culturally inclusive global art museum. We deliver this aim through activities in our four galleries across the UK (Tate Liverpool, Tate St Ives, Tate Britain and Tate Modern), our digital platforms and collaborations with our national and international partners. At the heart of Tate is our collection of art, which includes British art from the 16th century to the present day, and international modern art from 1900 to the present day. Within this context, Tate Britain houses the greatest collection of British art in the world and plays a significant role in promoting and championing the value of British art and artists locally, nationally and globally.

The Director of Exhibitions and Displays, working closely with and to the Director of Tate Britain, will play a leading role in the development and delivery of the Tate Britain’s programme of exhibitions and collections displays through the work of its team of curators, ensuring that Tate Britain meets its artistic, audience and financial objectives in accordance with the vision for Tate in general and Tate Britain specifically. The role involves supervising the work of all curators contributing to the programme of exhibitions and displays at Tate Britain and the line management of senior curators and other roles. This post is part of Tate Britain’s senior management team and has an influential role in the curatorial department’s work with teams across Tate and in representing Tate Britain publicly and with partners.

As a member of Tate Britain's senior management team reporting to the Director, Tate Britain, you will contribute effectively to the work of the senior management team and have the ability to think strategically and work collaboratively with colleagues across Tate.

You will have excellent project and people management skills, and will be required to provide effective leadership and support to individuals, teams and activity. As a senior leader, you will be able to show your commitment to your own development and that of your team with evidence of having mentored and developed curatorial talent and expertise.

With an impressive track record of making exhibitions, of different scales, and a knowledge of innovative exhibition strategies, you will have the proven ability to play a leading role in developing and delivering a programme that meets the demands of quality and commercial viability and to manage the delivery of projects on time and to budget. You will have a broad knowledge of British art and visual culture, with an interest in societal and international contexts. You will also be committed to the role of contemporary art in a museum also devoted to modern and historic art. You will have significant experience of working with collections.

You will have a modern and imaginative understanding of engaging audiences of all kinds, and a demonstrable awareness of equality and cultural diversity, with the ability to incorporate diversity strategies into curatorial practice and exhibitions programmes. You will be knowledgeable on debates around visual learning, and be committed to developing new forms of best practice in relation to interpretation and audience development.

You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. You will also be able to demonstrate your experience of working with all forms of press and public relations media and able to be a confident advocate for Tate and Tate Britain’s programmes.

In addition, you will have a strategic understanding of fundraising and an ability to play a leading role in attracting financial support and negotiating partnerships and loans for Tate Britain’s programmes.

Possessing a degree in art history or related field and able to demonstrate scholarly expertise in at least one major area of British art (historic and modern), you will have strong art world networks in the UK and abroad.

As part of this role, you will need to travel and attend out of hours’ functions, as required.

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