Future Observatory Head of Curatorial Programme

Delivery:

• Direct and ensure public engagement with major research strands supported by Future Observatory and AHRC, including Green Transition Ecosystems, Design Exchange Partnerships and Design Accelerators;
• Develop and oversee the wider Future Observatory-led research portfolio, including the launch of research projects and fellowships;
• Oversee the Future Observatory Design Researchers in Residence, including its research design, final exhibition and annual publication;
• Convene stakeholders and build effective private and public sector networks under the umbrella goal of designing the green transition.

Leadership:

• Be an advocate for the museum as one of its thought leaders for a wide range of stakeholders and audiences, including public speaking, media interviews, membership of juries, committees and advisory groups;
• Act as a champion for Future Observatory, to both internal and external audiences;
• Broaden participation in design research as a foundational principle of the programme, promoting and role-modelling equality, diversity and inclusion best practice;
• Keep abreast of relevant new developments and promote them widely across the museum.

Management:

• Liaise regularly with other museum heads of department to integrate the work of the Future Observatory with that of the museum;
• Act as representative of Future Observatory on the museum’s Learning and Research Committee;
• Manage the Future Observatory Curator and Future Observatory Programme Producer, with the potential for one other line report if the team grows.

The above list is not exhaustive, and applicants for the Head of Curatorial Programme role are encouraged to present their approach to the successful delivery of the programme and its continuation strategy.

Person Specification

Essential

Leadership and strategy:

• Demonstrable experience of strategic thinking and developing cultural programmes;
• In-depth knowledge of the current design and design research national and international landscape, especially as it relates to the green transition, regenerative practices, the circular economy, and the reduction of waste;
• Relevant network reach within Future Observatory’s areas of interest;
• Experience of being an effective institutional spokesperson in the media on a range of design-related subjects;
• Ability to generate content-led ideas with a commitment to the dissemination of ideas;
• Ability to guide and inspire others, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise and building a network working towards a common purpose;
• Demonstrable ability to make decisions and lead a team to deliver a vision.

Communication and engagement:

• Outstanding communication skills, suitable for engagement with a range of different audiences – specialist and non-specialist, within the academic and non-academic communities;
• Ability to influence others and liaise effectively with colleagues and external contacts within a museum/gallery environment;
• Demonstrable ability to advocate for the value of design and design research to internal UKRI and external audiences, using existing and new networks;
• Sensitivity to the needs of Future Observatory’s diverse audiences and potential beneficiaries;
• Ability to demonstrate a mutually supportive and collaborative team working style.

Delivery:

• Varied experience of curating impactful content;
• Experience of leading research-led projects that engage both academia, industry and the wider public;
• Working familiarity with the processes, methods and intellectual framings of research, both in written and practice-based contexts;
• Experience in delivering public engagement in the context of displays through effective application of interpretation strategies;
• Track record of publishing in a design-related field;
• Proven experience of working to international museum standards;
• Effective manager of people and resources;
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and retain good attention to detail;
• A realistic appreciation of what can be achieved over the timescale, including overcoming key barriers and management of risks.

Terms and conditions

Salary: up to £52,000 per annum, dependent on experience.

Holidays: 25 days per annum + Christmas eve (museum closed).

Hours: 35 hours per week / 5 days per week.

Location: Design Museum Kensington is the place of work, with a hybrid arrangement of 60% of an employee’s role to be performed at the museum and 40% remote.

Contract: fixed-term until 31 September 2025, with renewal subject to further funding.

Closing date: Monday 03 February 2025, midnight.

Interviews: week commencing 13 February 2025.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

Applications should address the aims of the programme and person specification sections and should be structured as follows:

• A covering letter to include relevant interest, skills and experience (max 2,000 words)
• CV
• Availability to start in role

In case of questions related to the application process, please contact.

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