Director of Audiences

Victoria and Albert Museum
Based primarily at South Kensington, with travel to other sites
c.£125,000
Hackney

The V&A is a family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity – its power to entertain and move, to enrich our lives, open our minds and change the world. We celebrate and share that power through a programme of exhibitions, events, educational and digital experiences, a collection of 2.8 million objects, and through our support for new works and commitment to conservation, research, and sustainable design. Together, our work tells a 5,000-year-old story of creativity, helping to advance cultural knowledge everywhere, and inspiring the makers, creators, and innovators of today and tomorrow. We are always working to broaden our audiences so that everyone can be part of the V&A – because the V&A and the power of creativity belong to us all.

THE ROLE

The opening of V&A East Museum & Storehouse in 2025/26 marks the completion of a generational journey of physical transformation for the V&A, from a single iconic site at South Kensington to a family of museums, including V&A Dundee, Young V&A and the V&A Wedgwood Collection. We are seeking a Director of Audiences to lead an expert and experienced senior team in the delivery of transformational brand and audiences strategies every bit as ambitious as those devised for our physical estate, as we look to engage new audiences of all ages and backgrounds, digitally as well as in person.

This is a broad and strategic role on our Executive Board. Already operating at a senior level, you will bring a strong track record of broadening and diversifying audiences and leading brand, audience, digital, marketing and communications across a major organization, with recent experience of engaging and growing youth audiences.

Wherever you are now (and we are open to a range of sector backgrounds), you will demonstrate a strong passion for the V&A’s mission and a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead at this exciting moment of growth and transition. We are looking for candidates that are comfortable working in complex but creative environments, performance focused but with high levels of emotional intelligence, excellent leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively across the V&A and with a highly talented senior team. Flexible and dynamic in approach, you are someone who will spot opportunities and lead us into new areas; creative in your thinking but with an approach that is backed by data and evidence.

INFORMATION

Download the candidate brief to find out about the role.

DOWNLOAD    
How to apply

To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:

  • Your CV (no more than three sides).
  • A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria

Closing date
Friday 1st November 2024

Preliminary interviews
w/c 18th November 2024

Final Panel interviews
w/c 2nd December and w/c 9th December 2024

Apply