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- Tasks: Lead creative development for exhibitions and immersive environments at the British Museum.
- Company: Join the British Museum's award-winning Design & Interpretation Studio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Shape the future of exhibition design in a world-renowned cultural institution.
- Qualifications: Experience in exhibition design or architecture with a strong portfolio required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 43317 - 43317 £ per year.
Senior Exhibition Designer (3D Designer) Full-time 41 hours per week Hybrid (3 days per week on-site in Bloomsbury, London. 5 days during probation) Permanent contract £43,317 per annum Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 10 April 2026
About the Role
Join the British Museum’s award-winning Design & Interpretation Studio at a defining moment in the Museum’s history. As we embark on the once-in-a-generation Masterplan to transform the entire Bloomsbury site, this role offers the chance to shape not only major exhibitions, gallery redevelopments and public-facing spatial projects, but also the future direction of the studio itself. You will act as our Senior Exhibition Designer to lead the creative vision for immersive environments, craft narrative-driven visitor experiences, and collaborate closely with curators, interpretation specialists, and graphic designers. As a hands-on creative leader, you’ll drive design excellence from concept through to final delivery, helping to build an industry-leading design practice and leaving a lasting imprint on the Museum’s next chapter.
About You
We’re looking for an experienced exhibition designer or architect with a strong portfolio of realised projects in museums, cultural institutions, or complex public environments. You bring a deep understanding of spatial design, materiality, and construction, alongside the ability to develop and communicate clear conceptual responses to narrative briefs. You are confident leading multidisciplinary teams and engaging a wide range of stakeholders, from curators to fabricators. You balance creative ambition with technical expertise, and are comfortable working across all project stages, from early concept through detailed design and delivery. Experience of exhibition design, architectural practice, or scenography is essential, as is an interest in how audiences engage with space, objects, and stories. You thrive in complex, fast-paced environments, and bring a collaborative, thoughtful approach to leadership. You are motivated by the opportunity to contribute to projects of cultural significance, and to help shape the future of exhibition design at one of the world’s leading museums.
Key areas of responsibility
- Lead creative development for temporary exhibitions, permanent galleries and public-facing spaces, shaping compelling spatial narratives and immersive environments.
- Produce high-quality drawings, visualisations, technical documentation and tender packages using advanced 2D/3D tools.
- Manage contractors, specialist consultants and external designers to ensure design intent, build quality and project standards are met.
- Champion sustainable design through responsible material choices, reuse strategies and environmentally informed construction methods.
- Mentor junior designers, foster an ambitious studio culture and collaborate across disciplines to deliver exceptional visitor experiences.
Portfolio
Please provide a portfolio that includes a well-curated selection of relevant work, clearly showing how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role. Please submit your portfolio as a PDF under the ‘Cover Letter’ Section of your application. Applications without a portfolio, or with an incorrectly submitted portfolio, cannot be considered.
Benefits
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here.
Our Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Spark Curiosity
- Value Many Voices
These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.
Additional details
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details. *We may be able to provide visa sponsorship for this role, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.* The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Senior Exhibition Designer - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Exhibition Designer - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend exhibitions, and join design forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s not just a collection of your work but tells a story about your design journey. Tailor it to highlight projects that resonate with the British Museum's vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the museum’s past exhibitions and current projects. Bring fresh ideas to the table that align with their Masterplan – they’ll love your enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate designers who can contribute to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Exhibition Designer - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio: Your portfolio is your chance to shine! Make sure it’s a well-curated selection that highlights your best work and aligns with the role. Remember, we need to see how your skills match what we're looking for, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Cover Letter: When writing your cover letter, make it personal and relevant. We want to know why you’re excited about this role at the British Museum and how your experience fits into our vision. Be genuine and let your passion for exhibition design come through!
Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit: We love teamwork here at StudySmarter! In your application, mention any experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others, especially in multidisciplinary teams. Show us how you can lead and inspire while working towards a common goal.
Embrace Our Values: Familiarise yourself with our core values and reflect them in your application. Whether it’s showing how you care deeply or embrace the unknown, we want to see how you embody these principles in your work. It’ll help us understand if you’re a good fit for our culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss every piece in your portfolio confidently. Highlight the projects that showcase your skills in spatial design and narrative-driven experiences, as these are key for the Senior Exhibition Designer role.
✨Research the Museum's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum’s Masterplan and current exhibitions. Understanding their direction will help you align your creative vision with theirs, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also passionate about their mission.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Think of examples where you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams or collaborated with various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you balance creative ambition with technical expertise, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Embrace Their Values
Reflect on how you embody the Museum's values: Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, Spark Curiosity, and Value Many Voices. Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate these behaviours, as they will be looking for cultural fit during the interview.