Somerset House
Exhibitions Manager
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Application Deadline: 13 September 2026
Department: Exhibitions
Location: London
Compensation: £38,000 - £42,000 / year
Description
We are looking for someone to join our fantastic Exhibitions team at Somerset House Trust. They are seeking an Exhibitions Manager to lead the development and delivery of a range of exhibitions, commissions and installations within our diverse Exhibitions programme, ensuring that the content, interpretation and design of our programme is developed to a high standard and reflects the mission of Somerset House and its audiences.
This role requires significant project management experience of leading the development and delivery of allocated loan exhibitions, touring exhibitions and complex installations and commissions with contemporary artists. It needs a flexible approach to working, great relationship management and the ability to respond intuitively to the changing needs of the programme, artists, curators and Somerset House’s internal departments.
If you enjoy building multi-disciplinary exhibitions with artists, curators and designers that are culturally relevant and appeal to a broad audience then this might just be the role for you!
Key Responsibilities of the Role
- Project manage allocated exhibitions, commissions and projects from conception to delivery and strike. Working closely with curators (internal and external), artists, the Technical Production Managers and internal Somerset House teams, ensuring all stakeholders are involved and informed as necessary.
- Lead on the negotiation of loan agreements and manage all conversations with lenders and artists around arrangements for transport, insurance and display
- Lead on the process for appointing and working with 2D and 3D designers on the detailed design and layout of exhibitions, working closely with the Curators and the Technical Production Managers.
- Appoint transport agents and coordinate national and international shipping
- Manage complex budgets for assigned exhibition projects
- Draft and negotiate contracts for external contractors, designers, artists and lenders in consultation with Head of Exhibition Management
- Lead on project meetings and their scheduling ensuring all relevant stakeholders are kept informed and involved as necessary
- Devise and manage overall project schedules
- Manage all rights and reproduction requirements for exhibitions and projects
- Support the development and delivery of related programming and events (e.g. talks and online events)
- Provide information to assist with Press and Marketing campaigns, as well as the development of any associated retail and publication offer. Ensuring all teams have the information and assets required in time for campaigns and publications.
- Put relevant measures and systems in place to ensure the safety and security of artworks and objects in storage, in transit and on display
- Work with the Technical Production Managers to develop the build of an exhibition and the coordination of installations and deinstallations onsite
- Book conservators and arrange condition checking of loans
- Commission, proofread and edit interpretation and promotional text as required
- Lead on project evaluation and reporting, working with the Head of Exhibition Management
- Provide information where required in support of funding applications
- Line manage Exhibition Assistant(s), and occasionally manage work placements or other talent development schemes
- Any other duties in line with responsibilities of the role
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Access, Diversity, and Evaluation
- Ensure the development and delivery processes of allocated projects promote equality, diversity and inclusion and prioritise increasing representation across all aspects of our programming.
- Ensure allocated projects conform to Somerset House Access policies
- Working with the Senior Exhibitions Manager, Head of Exhibitions Management and the Director of Exhibitions contribute to the evaluation of exhibitions.
Skills, knowledge & expertise required for the role:
Experience and Skills
- Significant experience of managing and leading exhibition projects, exhibition tours and related programming
- Excellent project management and organisation skills, with good attention to detail and the ability to prioritise a busy workload and meet deadlines
- Experience of project managing complex installations, including Audio-Visual elements
- Experience working with and commissioning new work with a range of artists
- Experience negotiating agreements and drafting contracts with lenders, artists and designer
- Experience coordinating and managing shipping and insurance of exhibitions items and knowledge of British Government Indemnity requirements for loans and exhibition tours
- Practical experience of object handling
- Experience coordinating installations, de-installations and management of contractors onsite
- Experience of managing individual exhibition and exhibition touring budgets, with ability to highlight issues and propose solutions for discussion with senior managers
- Organised and co-ordinated tender processes and contractor appointments, including drafting and issuing contracts
- Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse range of people, both within the organisation and externally
- Knowledge of picture research, copyright procedures and printing
- Knowledge and experience of working within CDM 2015 regulations
- Experience of working with 3D and 2D designers to develop and deliver projects in line with the RIBA stages
- Experience of producing exhibitions that are accessible to a broad range of visitors
- Ability to lead and be flexible and collaborative
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders
- Strong numeracy and IT skills, including working knowledge of MS Office applications and spreadsheets, and ability to learn new systems and software quickly
- Line management experience
- A strong passion and knowledge of the visual arts, design, fashion, photography, or other forms of creative work in contemporary culture
- Ability and willingness for occasional travel and out-of-hours work in support programme and organisation
- An understanding of and commitment to Somerset House’s work, vision, and values, including diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.
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Benefits to working at Somerset House
Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Access to our external Employee Assistance Programme (CiC) for free 24/7 confidential advice and support, including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year where needed
- Mental health support and guidance from our in-house trained Mental Health First Aiders
- Hybrid working based on having 3 days in the office per week (pro rata if part-time)*
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses
- Trust life insurance scheme
- We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers
- dependent on the needs of the role
Holiday
- Enhanced annual leave – 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Birthday leave - additional day leave
- Celebration day - to celebrate anything of your choice
Other Leave
- Sick leave – 20 days full pay, followed by 20 days half pay (pro rata & following 3 months service)
- Emergency dependent care – option to use 25% of paid sick leave for emergency care of a dependent (pro rata & following 3 months of service)
- Enhanced maternity pay
Benefits
- 8% employer pension contributions, no employee contribution required*
- Option for salary sacrifice
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to Work scheme
Discounts, offers and free stuff
- The list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites
- Discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants
- Discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants
- Discounts to local leisure centres
*following 3 months of employment
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