V&A
Director of Collections
The V&A is a family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity and comprises the original site at South Kensington, the recently reopened Young V&A in Bethnal Green, V&A Dundee, and the V&A Wedgwood Collection in Barlaston. As part of the ambitious FuturePlan programme, the V&A is developing V&A East, one of the most significant new museum projects in the UK, made up of two new sites, currently under construction: V&A East Storehouse at Here East and V&A East Museum (both opening 2025) in Stratford, part of East Bank. The V&A celebrates and shares the power of creativity through a programme of exhibitions, events, educational and digital experiences, a collection of 2.8 million objects, and through its support for new works and commitment to conservation, research, and sustainable design. Together, its 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.
At an exciting time as the V&A furthers its multi-site composition, the Director, Tristram Hunt, seeks candidates for the role of Director of Collections, as part of the V&A’s Executive Board. The Director of Collections will be responsible for leading the largest division at the V&A, implementing a new, multisite collections strategy for the V&A, transforming access to its collections as a public asset and broadening its creative relevance and social impact. The successful applicant will take the lead in foregrounding and interrogating the V&A collection in the context of contemporary debate and contribute to shaping curatorial standards across the sector. The role also demands delivering excellence in higher education collaborations, research and reach to the widest possible audience.
The ideal candidate will bring a track record of collegiate, collaborative and inspiring leadership, an intellectual curiosity, creativity and the academic credibility in a relevant field, experience of strategy development and implementation and of leading change and transformation, sound business and financial acumen, and the ability to be an external advocate.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the V&A on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EAVAO. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Wednesday 13th September 2023.
The V&A stands at a remarkable moment in its history, as it expands into a truly multi-site organisation and affirms its place as one of the top 15 most visited museums and galleries in the world.