Public Engagement Manager (Exhibitions)

In the Crick's Public Engagement Team.

Part of Crick Operations.

Reporting to the Director of Public Engagement, the Public Engagement Manager (Exhibitions) will be based in the Engagement team, which is responsible for a range of activity including public and community engagement, and education outreach.The post-holder works closely with other members of the Engagement team, the Communications team, Crick Executive, colleagues from the partner organisations, local stakeholders and community organisations, and external professional advisors where appropriate.
Deadline for applications has passed.

Key information

Job reference
R849
Salary
From £47,725 per annum, subject to skills and experience
Applications closed
01 August 2022, 23:59 BST
Hours per week
36 (full time)
Posted 11 July 2022

Public Engagement Manager (Exhibitions)

Reports to: Head of Public Engagement

This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Working days are Monday through Friday, with the occasional requirement to work evenings or weekends to support the wider team. Any additional hours worked will be agreed in advance and time booked off in lieu as compensation.

SUMMARY

One of the Francis Crick institute’s strategic priorities is to engage and inspire the public through public events and exhibitions, education outreach, and community engagement programmes, backed by a body of active research scientists who have the skills, desire and opportunity to engage people in their work. 

Building on a programme of successful exhibitions, the Public Engagement Manager (Exhibitions) will lead the creative and strategic development and delivery of the Crick’s exhibition programme, which seeks to engage diverse audiences with Crick science, and to raise the profile of the Crick within the cultural and science sectors. The successful candidate will project manage temporary exhibitions from inception to conclusion, working with external contractors and staff across the Crick.

Reporting to the Head of Public Engagement, the Public Engagement Manager (Exhibitions) will be based in the Public Engagement team. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, well organised, and creative with a passion for engaging a broad range of audiences with science and a commitment to the principles and practice of equality, diversity and inclusion. The post holder will line-manage the Public Engagement Officer (Exhibitions), Public Engagement Coordinator, Exhibitions Project Manager, and work closely with other members of the Public Engagement team, the Communications, Senior Management, and external partners and contractors. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

These include but are not limited to the following areas of work; 

Exhibitions strategy:

  • Lead on the creative and strategic development and delivery of the Crick’s exhibitions programme, which engages diverse audiences with Crick science, and raises the profile of the Crick within the cultural and science sectors.
  • Work with the Public Engagement team & external contractors to establish and implement a coordinated marketing and evaluation approach for Crick exhibitions, developing and refining audiences in response to ongoing evaluation, research, and visitor figures.
  • Develop a sustainable exhibitions programme that fulfils the public engagement strategy and supports the Crick’s science strategy and communications activity.
  • Ensure current best practice in public engagement and exhibitions is embedded in the exhibition programme, with a particular focus on a people-centred approach and exploring multisensory experiences to enhance layered interpretation.
  • Developing and commissioning exhibition-related installations and projects with artists and creative partners.
  • Assess enquiries and seek out new opportunities for strategic collaborative projects and partnerships with the Crick’s founders, and local and national organisations.
  • Working with colleagues to strategically embed EDI principles and practice in our public engagement programmes, and ensuring our activities are as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Exhibition delivery:

  • Oversee the project management of exhibitions working with the project manager to:
    • recruit and manage external consultants and suppliers (designers, curators, artists, conservators, technicians, researchers, proof readers etc.) and liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the exhibition is delivered on time and on budget.
    • organise and implement exhibition installation processes and schedules, coordinating various internal and external parties involved.
  • Manage a budget to deliver and maintain temporary exhibitions.
  • Manage invitation to tender processes for design / build contractors in collaboration with the Procurement team, and negotiate contracts with designers, artists and contractors ensuring contract approval and negotiation support from the Legal team.
  • Work closely with the Communications team and Marketing Manager to coordinate the digital presence of exhibitions, and seek out opportunities to extend the reach of exhibitions.

Operational and Line-management:

  • Manage the Manby Gallery, working closely with Front of House, Cleaning, Catering and Security to ensure that the space provides a welcoming, safe and positive experience, and collaborating with Public Engagement and Comms colleagues to ensure that the design and use of the space is fit for multi-use purpose.
  • Oversee and manage the ongoing maintenance of temporary displays and exhibitions in the Manby Gallery, supported by the Exhibitions Officer.
  • Line management of the Public Engagement Officer (Exhibitions), Exhibitions Project Manager (seconded role), and Public Engagement Coordinator.
  • Recruitment of additional resource as required to deliver the programme (e.g. Creative Producers)
  • Upholding and promoting the Crick’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI); and actively contributing to an inclusive workplace culture.
  • Ongoing management, care and conservation of the Crick’s collections, including artistic commissions for exhibitions and the heritage collection.

KEY EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

The post holder should work in a way that is Bold, Open and Collegial, in addition to the following:

Knowledge and experience

Essential:

  • Extensive experience of working in exhibitions and interpretation as a project manager, curator, or content developer, preferably within a science engagement context.
  • Project management experience, including experience of developing, implementing and evaluating public exhibitions with multiple partners, stakeholders and external contractors.
  • Experience managing build tenders for exhibitions.
  • Experience of recruiting and managing a range of contractors, such as curators, artists and designers to deliver imaginative and engaging exhibitions for public audiences.
  • A comprehensive knowledge of best practice in exhibitions and interpretation and the ability to translate cutting-edge science into innovative and inclusive exhibitions.
  • Knowledge of access requirements (physical, sensory, cognitive), and an understanding of good practice in creating accessible and inclusive experiences.
  • Gallery management experience, with a clear understanding of the various elements that comprise the visitor experience within an exhibition setting (for example, front of house, security, facilities management, catering).
  • Budget management experience and experience of managing a tender process.
  • Line management experience.
  • A good understanding of the principles and practice of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and how they relate to exhibition programming and public engagement; including a commitment to respecting and valuing diversity.
  • Computer literacy enabling the effective use of the Microsoft suite of packages.
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Desirable:

  • Experience of working with scientists, academics, or subject specialists.
  • Experience of commissioning and managing artists.
  • Experience of managing the coproduction of exhibition content with public audiences or special interest groups (e.g. patients, community groups, young people).
  • Experience developing exhibitions with a strong digital presence.
  • A postgraduate qualification in an appropriate subject (e.g. Science Communication/Museum Studies/Curation/Exhibition Design).

Skills and attributes 

Essential:

  • Creative, with a flair for using visual and object-led approaches to create engaging experiences for public audiences.
  • A demonstrable interest in science, and an appreciation of the current public engagement with research agenda.
  • A strategic approach to developing exhibition programmes and seasons with a good understanding of audience development strategies and formative and summative evaluation.
  • Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to engage and build relationships with a range of stakeholders.
  • High levels of self-motivation, with the ability to work within an environment subject to change.