Vacancy for Touring Exhibitions Project Manager

The museum is looking for an experienced Project Manager to join the Exhibitions team to work on the delivery of high-profile touring exhibitions.

The Design Museum’s international programme plays a key role in the global reach of the museum, developing the museum’s influence and generating significant income. The Touring Exhibitions Project Manager works alongside the Head of International Engagement to support the delivery of the touring programme and the museum’s wider international strategy.

The role will suit an individual with previous project management experience in coordinating and delivering museum exhibitions internationally. They will be an expert communicator, adept at developing strong working relationships, both internally and with external partners, to deliver engaging and commercially successful projects.

Job description

The Touring Exhibitions Project Manager is responsible for managing the development and delivery of a number of the museum’s portfolio of touring exhibitions to overseas venues, from development through to opening and evaluation, working with a wide range of staff from across the museum as well as external stakeholders. This includes prospecting, handling communications and negotiations with venue partners and the management of all aspects of tours including design, logistics, contracts, schedules, and budgets.

Project development and delivery 

• Manage the development of international touring exhibitions, including reviewing content and narrative with curators to ensure that it is suitable for international touring.
• Collate all necessary information to enable the effective promotion and delivery of tours, working with curators and project teams throughout the development of temporary exhibitions.
• Coordinate the inputs of colleagues within the museum and, where relevant, external parties, to ensure the timely and efficient and delivery of projects.
• Set and monitor project schedules, ensuring key deadlines are met by all parties.
• Manage all elements of touring exhibitions including loans negotiation and administration, 3D / 2D design development, text delivery, transport tenders and appointments, and insurance.
• Compile installation guides and oversee installs and de-rigs at tour venues, in person or virtually.
• Ensure that all exhibitions comply with health & safety and security guidelines.
• Prepare contracts between the museum, external partners and contractors.
• Ensure effective communication across the museum on all aspects of projects. This includes chairing project meetings and ensuring all subsequent actions are complete.
• Identify, manage and report on the risks associated with projects.
• Undertake any other duties as required to support the aims of the museum’s international strategy.

Budgets

• Manage and maintain project budgets, ensuring projects are delivered within the specified budget through efficient forecasting and administration.
• Regularly report on budget activity to the Head of International Engagement, colleagues in the Finance department and Directors as required.
• Demonstrate financial awareness and strive to contribute to the museum’s financial success by maximising income, making savings where possible and delivering projects on budget.

Research, marketing and prospection 

• Carry out research to help identify new international prospects for touring exhibitions.
• Monitor, log and respond to international enquiries, maintaining meticulous records on the museum’s Customer Relations Management (CRM) system.
• Working with the Head of International Engagement, Senior Manager: Exhibitions and Touring and International Project Manager, support the promotion of the museum’s touring programme.
• Assist with the preparation of touring brochures and presentations.
• Compile information packs for interested venues including initial overviews, presentations, written narratives, object lists, images, technical information and cost breakdowns.
• Collate information required for press purposes, including gaining marketing approvals from copyright holders where required.

Evaluation 

• Take part in the evaluation process of touring exhibitions, documenting feedback.