Special Projects Manager - Museum Events

This is a Fixed Term Contract, Full Time vacancy that will close in 15 days at 23:59 BST. 

The Role 

We are seeking an experienced Special Projects Manager with a strong background in the organisation and delivery of opening events for new sites, ideally within comparable institutions. Your key responsibility will be preparing for the Opening Events at V&A East Museum, working closely with the Head of Museum Events to ensure seamless operations and the consistent application of the V&A Museum Events house style across multiple locations. You will be expected to bring demonstrable expertise in drafting operational guidelines and health and safety documentation tailored to new museum spaces, as well as advising on best practices for event management in these environments. Collaboration with the Corporate and Private Events Senior Manager will be crucial to guarantee the smooth running of all events at V&A East. You will also induct suppliers through site visits and briefings to maintain V&A standards, stay abreast of industry developments to suggest new suppliers, and lead sustainability-focused changes within Museum Events. Additional responsibilities include overseeing guest list preparation, supporting event administration, tendering and managing contracts for catering, lighting, sound, and entertainment to ensure best value and style, as well as monitoring budgets and maintaining accurate financial records to ensure all events are delivered within agreed limits. The successful candidate will have proven experience in supplier negotiation, risk assessment, and comprehensive event management related to the launch of new sites. 

The V&A 

The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects, books and archives that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The museum holds many of the UK's national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance. 

Our mission is to be recognised as the world's leading museum of art, design and performance, and to enrich people's lives by promoting research, knowledge and enjoyment of the designed world to the widest possible audience. We strive to make the V&A matter to more people and in that context we work to the following six strategic objectives: 

• To create a world class visitor and learning experience across all V&A sites and collections.
• Focus and deepen the relevance of our collections to the UK creative and knowledge economy.
• Expand the V&A's international reach, reputation and impact.
• To operate with financial and organisational initiative and efficiency.
• Showcase the best of digital design and deliver an outstanding digital experience.
• Diversify and increase private and commercial funding sources. 

Benefits: 

• Generous pension scheme
• 29 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working
• Tickets to V&A exhibitions
• Subsidised staff canteen
• 25% discount in V&A shops
• Give as you earn scheme
• Bicycle loan
• Interest-free season ticket
• Interest-free rental deposit loan
• Free safety checks and small repairs to your bike with Doctor Bike
• Wide range of training and professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff diversity networks

ED&I at The V&A 

At the V&A, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) for all and strive to go above and beyond public duty placed upon us by the Equality Act 2010. As such, we are delighted to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer Level 2. The V&A makes the following commitments to all applications:

• The Guaranteed Interview Scheme – Interviewing applicants with a disability who successfully evidence the essential criteria on a person specification and consider them on their abilities;
• Providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
• Making reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process so disabled job applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate that they can do the job.  
• Supporting employees and adjustments during employment.