Engagement Officer - 14.8 hours per week - 3 Year Fixed Term Contract

Starting salary for this role is £32,061 (pro rata for part-time colleagues)

This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

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Engagement Officer

Fixed term contract July 2026 - June 2029, 2 days per week (14.8 hours / 0.4 FTE)

Starting Salary £32,061 (pro rata)

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Engagement Officer to lead and development and delivery of two co-produced exhibitions at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum to attract new audiences to the museum.

Fixed term contract July 2026 - June 2029, 2 days per week (14.8 hours)

This role is part of, and funded by, Going Places, supporting the Founding the Future network (Watts gallery, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, and The Bowes Museum).

Going Places is an Art Fund programme made possible with major support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Julia Rausing Trust, with additional Support from a generous group of trusts, foundations and individuals.

As part of Going Places, the Founding the Future network will co-create two touring exhibtions working with young people (16-25 years). These exhibitions will include collection items from each of the three partner museums, designed to showcase the quality of regional museums in the UK and attract new audiences.

The first exhibition, themed around 19th Century environmental awareness and early activism will open at Watts Gallery, Guildford in January 2027, then tour to The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, finally opening at the Russell-Cotes in October 2027. The second exhibition, theme yet to be decided, will be on display at the Russell-Cotes in 2029.

Main Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for

Recruiting a cohort of young people to participate in the project. Setting up and delivering sessions for the cohort to enable all participants to engage with and co-curate elements of the exhibitions. Developing relationships with relevant stakeholders, and working in partnership with the permanent team at the Russell-Cotes and representatives of the other venues to develop the exhibition. Commission artists, experts and creatives to work with the cohort to develop with exhibition content and responses. Work with the cohort and Russell-Cotes Collections Team to create site specific interpretation. Support audience engagement through the development of site-specific interpretation and a vibrant events programme. Produce resources to support child and young people's engagement with the exhibition. Create a launch event, blog posts and social media content. Monitor budget spend on the project with Russell-Cotes staff. Evaluation, feedback and reporting carried out in line with the funder's requirements. The post holder will report to the

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

Experience of co-curation, co-production, co-design and/or audience consultation, ideally within a gallery or museum setting. Experience of developing and delivering exhibitions. Experience of planning, developing and delivering events, talks and workshops. Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, budget and the ability to manage multiple deadlines. Attention to detail and writing skills, with the ability to communicate ideas clearly and accessibly. Ability to persuade and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders. A commitment to making museums and galleries and their collections accessible and available for more people to enjoy. Experience of creating digital outputs such as digital interpretation, social media content, talks & tours and blog posts.

Desirable

Experience in a curatorial, exhibitions or collections department, ideally within a gallery, museum or historic setting. Knowledge and experience of the registrar process including loan administration and transport coordination. Practical understanding of object handling and exhibition installation.

Other Requirements

This role will periodically require some working in the evenings and weekends.

Other Information

The post holder will report to the Museum Manager.

The post is based onsite at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

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About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

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