The National Gallery

The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, with over 2,300 works including famous pieces like van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus, Turner’s Fighting Temeraire, and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. These works belong to the public, and entrance is free, attracting millions of visitors annually and many more online. The Gallery is dedicated to being a place of learning, enjoyment, and inspiration for current and future generations. Currently celebrating its bicentenary (NG200), the Gallery offers an exciting programme of exhibitions and events across the UK, along with capital projects to enhance its buildings and services.

The Gallery has a unique platform to drive growth across all its commercial activities, leveraging its brand and heritage. In this context, the National Gallery seeks a dynamic Head of Hosted Guest Experience to lead its Guest Experience teams within National Gallery Global, the commercial arm of the Gallery. This role involves close collaboration with both National Gallery and National Gallery Global teams, uniting key internal partners to deliver a world-class guest experience to all visitors, guests, and stakeholders. Responsibilities include overseeing front-of-house operations, such as Guest Experience, Retail, and Cloakroom services, supporting F&B operations, and enhancing the overall Gallery journey. The goal is to ensure these teams meet and exceed the diverse needs and expectations of its visitors.

Candidates will have demonstrable significant experience in a senior operations leadership role, managing guest services in a multi-business site. A strong understanding of guest experience planning and delivery, along with the ability to engage visitors with the widest Gallery offering, is crucial. Candidates should also have experience in leading and developing a team, managing resources to achieve goals and objectives, and demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for staff engagement and development. Proven financial acumen and a track record of growing and driving revenue, margin, and customer engagement in a challenging market environment are required.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to The National Gallery on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EBPIA Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Monday 12^th August 2024.