Vacancy for International Projects Manager

The National Portrait Gallery houses a unique collection of all forms of portraiture of the people who have made or are currently contributing to British history and culture; the collection is the most comprehensive of its kind in the world. With around 2 million visitors each year prior to temporary closure for the Inspiring People project and a strong national and international presence through touring exhibitions and special projects, the Gallery is one of the country’s most important and popular galleries.

Job description

The International Projects Manager delivers the Gallery’s international projects including touring exhibitions and other initiatives.  The role manages the organisation of international touring exhibitions (both NPG Collections exhibitions developed only for touring as well as international tours of some NPG on-site Loan Exhibitions) and manages key external relationships. The role includes, management of budgets, management of exhibition preparation, transport tenders, exhibition installations, and from time to time promoting the Gallery’s international exhibitions and other services, and contract negotiations.

Key Accountabilities:

• Managing the detailed touring arrangements for specified collection and NPG on site exhibitions tours in liaison with Gallery staff across exhibitions, curatorial, collections, conservation, loans and art handling, under the guidance of the Head of International Programmes.
• Overseeing and managing the development of new collection exhibition projects for tour from early stages, including the development and production of digital interpretation features for exhibitions;
• Working closely with NPG Exhibitions Managers on handover for international tours of allocated NPG on site exhibitions.
• Negotiating and organising the practicalities of touring exhibition delivery with tour partners and third parties such as transport agents, insurers, including transport tenders.
• Negotiating and making arrangements with any lenders to the  Collections exhibition for its tour.
• Developing relationships with NPG on site exhibition Lenders through NPG Exhibitions team and negotiating /making arrangements for tour.
• Ensuring projects are completed to schedule: exhibition development, interpretation, conservation, packing, transport, installation and strike of exhibitions at the venues.
• Managing exhibition budgets and budget forecasts for allocated exhibition tours, monitoring costs and highlight potential overspend to the Head of International Programmes.
• Managing exhibition installation and strike at tour venues, including supervising the handling, packing and storage of exhibits; completing basic condition reports; and managing courier arrangements.
• Managing the delivery of exhibition materials such as initial overviews, PowerPoint presentations, written narratives, object lists, object labels catalogue essays and entries, panel text and images.
• Appointing and supervising transport agents, framers, conservators and other contractors involved in the preparation and setting up of touring exhibitions.
• Liaising closely with other Gallery departments involved in different elements for outgoing collection or loan exhibitions particularly Design, Art Handling, Press, Digital, Marketing and Publications, and including Security, Learning and Sponsorship to ensure a smooth flow of information.
• Organising the sign-off of all exhibition related assets eg: marketing and publicity for each exhibition tour venue.
• Working closely with tour venues to ensure a smooth transfer of exhibitions between venues and the return/dispersal of an exhibition at the end of its tour.
• Assisting the Head of International Programmes in planning, development, research and budgeting work in areas such as future policy, standard documentation revisions, scheduling, exhibition proposals etc.
• Regular international travel with touring exhibitions and representing NPG at opening events at tour venues when required.

The above list is indicative but not exhaustive. As such, in addition to the key accountabilities and responsibilities listed the post holder may be required to perform other duties commensurate with the scope and/or level of the role