We’re looking for a Programme Manager who will be responsible for the day-to-day organisation, production and delivery of our programme.
SALARY: £29,512 – £32,791
CONTRACT: Full-time, Permanent
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Curatorial / Exhibitions Organisation & Delivery
- Manage and lead the realisation of major exhibitions and projects simultaneously, including new commissions and loans, including taking overall responsibility for the day-to-day co-ordination and delivery of all artistic projects (minus those managed by Learning department).
- Be responsible for overseeing all aspects of delivery including artist liaison, scheduling, production (in collaboration with Production Manager), fabrication and installation, ensuring everything is delivered to time and budget with support from the Assistant Curators and wider team.
- Coordinate and connect the curatorial and practical aspects of projects, ensuring artistic vision is upheld and artists feel supported, whilst schedules and budgets are prioritised.
- Work with and support the Head of Programme in the research, organisation and planning of the Biennial exhibition, individual works, events and year-round programming, including conducting artist research and studio visits or trips when appropriate.
- Ensure that the planning and delivery of artistic projects are professionally managed through effective line management, with strong and clear lines of delegation of roles and structured, supportive team working.
- Manage all public realm commissions, including coordination of artists, partners, site owners, structural engineers, fabricators and technicians. Lead on the submission of all necessary permissions and licensing.
- Oversee the coordination of international and national shipments, ensuring sustainability and value-for-money are considered throughout.
- Support in the planning and designing of exhibition layouts and install/deinstall scheduling.
- Support the Head of Programme and Guest Curator with research into artists, writers and other creative practitioners, venues and contractors across the Biennial programme.
- Support the Head of Programme and Guest Curator by inputting to the development of a diverse public programme of events, workshops, talks and screenings, as well as a festival publication, and oversee the smooth delivery of these elements.
- Work closely with the Curator of Learning to share information on projects and input into an innovative and ambitious programme for creative learning, including workshops and resources.
- Write draft exhibition texts and artwork captions for all artistic projects, for use on Liverpool Biennial website, stakeholder communications and exhibition interpretation.
- Alongside the Production Manager, develop and manage maintenance plans for all exhibitions and artworks.
- Ensure that interdependences and communication with Marketing, Development, Operations and Finance teams are very clear, ensuring everybody is kept up to date with progress and developments with projects.
- Monitor, evaluate and report effectively on all Production matters against agreed objectives, using insights to inform future action.
- Liaise with artists and their representatives, arts institutions, partners and funders as required.
Finance and Administration
- Convene, attend, chair and record meetings as required.
- Organise and attend site visits and research trips.
- Monitor and maintain budgets for exhibitions and projects efficiently and in a timely fashion. This includes obtaining estimates, following procurement procedures, raising purchase orders, processing invoices, maintaining digital budget files, supporting with monthly forecasting and credit card reconciliation, and regular reporting to Head of Programme.
- Support the Head of Programme and Production Manager with all aspects of Health and Safety, including risk assessments for venues, installations and events.
- Liaise with the Border Agency and assist with visa applications and associated UK entry paperwork for visiting artists and technical staff where necessary.
- Draft and administer contracts as required for artists, venues, contractors, and freelancers using Liverpool Biennial templates.
- Contribute to reports for Board of Trustees, funders and partners as required.
- Work with the Director of Development and Development Manager to supply information, text, budgets and project proposals for funding applications.
- Work with the Marketing and Communications department to ensure appropriate information is circulated about the programme.
- Ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded throughout projects from inception, in particular ensuring suggestions and consultancy from our Critical Friends Group is listened to, understood and embedded where possible. Practice processes that care for staff, partners, artists, participants and audiences.
- Advocate for Sustainable practice by inputting to Liverpool Biennial’s Sustainability policy and action plan, and by ensuring it is adhered to across all elements of programme delivery including artwork fabrication, shipping and install.
- Contribute to the evaluation of projects as and when required, alongside ensuring opportunities for data gathering in collaboration with Development team.
Advocacy
- Strengthen networks and liaise with stakeholders, potential partners and funders as required. Maintain and update contacts relevant to the programme on the Liverpool Biennial database.
- Welcoming and hosting artists, galleries and stakeholders whilst in Liverpool, ensuring they receive schedules and information in good time and have a reliable main point of contact throughout their stays.
- Represent the Biennial at local, national and occasionally international public events, meetings and networking events on behalf of the organisation, giving tours or talks where necessary.
- Work occasional evenings and weekends as necessary, taking this as Time Off in Lieu (to be agreed in advance with the Head of Programme).
- Any other duties which may be from time to time allocated, commensurate with the nature and responsibility level of the post.
Essential Criteria
- At least 5 years’ experience in managing contemporary art projects
- Knowledge of and passion for contemporary art
- Experience of working with artists to develop and deliver ambitious new commissions
- Experience of working on multiple, large-scale projects simultaneously
- Having an analytical, creative and solution-led approach
- Experience managing detailed programme and individual project budgets
- Experience of recruiting and managing staff, including demonstratable experience of effective team leadership
- Experience of working with a wide range of partners and stakeholders
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent IT Skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, in particular, Excel
- Excellent time management and organisational, planning and prioritising skills
- Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and the need for Liverpool Biennial to be representative of its community and target audiences
- Commitment to environmental sustainability
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of the Liverpool and wider north-west region
- Biennial / festival experience and/or experience of working in non-traditional arts venues / the public realm
- Experience of working in an international setting
Download our Job Information Pack to find out more.
To find out more about Liverpool Biennial and their available roles visit https://www.biennial.com/job/programme-manager/.