Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is a world-renowned art museum with one of the most celebrated collections in the UK. It is famous for creating a unique perspective on how art can foster cultural dialogue and exchange. The Centre was founded in 1973 by Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury, built on the gift of their extraordinary collection to the University of East Anglia and housed in Sir Norman Foster’s first ever public architectural masterpiece.

In May, the Centre launched a new 5-year strategic plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original gift of the Sainsbury Collection to the university, with a vision to live up to the bold original ambition of its founders, and to reimagine it within a 21st-century context. The future programme responds to fundamental societal challenges, answered by living art, inviting audiences to meet and interact with art unlike they’ve experienced in a museum before. From embracing an artwork to becoming an artwork yourself, the Centre’s brand-new interventions break down the barriers of how we conventionally experience a museum and allow us to form deeper and more meaningful connections with art.

Against the backdrop of this exciting relaunch, the Director Professor Jago Cooper is now seeking candidates for the role of Deputy Director to join and be an essential part of making the Centre’s ambitious plans a reality. Working closely with the Director, the Deputy Director will be responsible for ensuring operational delivery and management plans are in place to support the creative vision of the Centre and drive forward sustainable museum ambitions. They will provide leadership and direction to the senior management team, oversee the strategic development and implementation of operational plans and objectives, and play a key role in strategic planning and development.

Ideal candidates will bring experience of senior leadership with a collegiate management approach, the implementation of strategic plans and programmes of activity, and experience of managing large, complex budgets. They will have a demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and a positive approach to problem solving, as well as very high-level communication skills.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EBJLA. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Monday 10^th July 2023.