London, UK
Festivals manager
at V&A
There is an opportunity for a festivals manager to join the V&A in London.
Job title: festivals manager
Division: Collections
Department/section: design, architecture and digital
Salary: £32,594 – £35,887 per annum
Reporting to: keeper of design, architecture and digital
Purpose of job
To programme, produce and deliver a wide variety of special events and festivals that are administered from within the design, architecture and digital department. These include the annual London Design Festival at the V&A; the Great Exhibition Road Festival, and other possible activities that close off Exhibition Road; the London Festival of Architecture; and other additional one-off festivals, weekenders, performances and special events that are programmed to support the museum’s programme of exhibitions and displays, and relevant cultural events.
Work will vary depending on the nature of the event, however it may include: leading festival activity; developing concepts; programming; presenting to stakeholders within and outside the museum; managing the event budget and staff; delivering the event; working with colleagues to develop press and marketing strategies; reporting.
Main tasks
London Design Festival at the V&A:
- to direct all day-to-day management of the LDF@V&A programme
- to manage project planning, research and organisation of LDF@V&A displays and installations, and an extensive events programme. To ensure that all projects are delivered smoothly and successfully within V&A guidelines
- to undertake all project administration, including: LDF@V&A budget; correspondence and meetings with displays and events contributors, and with the London Design Festival team
- to recruit and lead a team of OPAs to deliver all aspects of the Festival programme
- to work closely with the London Design Festival team throughout the year, to deliver all aspects of the Festival programme
- to work closely with colleagues across the museum to ensure the festival programme is streamlined, and that the whole museum buys into the festival
- to support and promote LDF throughout the V&A on a year-round basis
The Great Exhibition Road Festival:
- to lead the V&A’s contribution to the summer festival, liaising with all other stakeholders; to be responsible for the creative programming, delivery and smooth running of the event
- to manage the OPAs assisting with the festival, and to lead on research, programming, audience development, networking
- to undertake project administration were necessary, including correspondence and meetings
- to manage the budget, negotiate fees for performers and speakers, and to raise payments and invoices
- to liaise with other museum staff as appropriate to ensure that marketing, press and web support is provided appropriately
- to work with other departments (especially the learning and membership departments) to create a cohesive, streamlined programme
- to oversee a team of departmental staff and OPAs to deliver the Festival programme
- to display relevant knowledge and expertise to deliver an imaginative programme that delights museum visitors
London Festival of Architecture:
- to create a strategy and schedule to grow this activity
- to develop creative programming to be delivered as part of the London Festival of Architecture, working with their festival team
- to work closely with colleagues to deliver this content – including gallery displays, AV content, installations and performances
- to manage the project budget, negotiate fees for performers and speakers, and to raise payments and invoices
- to work with other departments (especially the learning and membership departments) to create a cohesive, streamlined programme
- to display relevant knowledge and expertise to deliver an imaginative programme that delights museum visitors
Festivals, weekenders and evening events relating to departmental exhibitions and displays:
- to work closely with exhibition curators to identify opportunities for festivals and performance within the public programme
- to creatively programme, oversee and deliver such events
- to manage project budgets
- to work with other departments (especially the learning and membership departments) to create a cohesive, streamlined programme
Detailed tasks
Installations and displays:
- to lead on the development of display proposals by providing administrative support, including organising meetings and taking minutes; maintaining records and files, liaising with relevant departments and curators
- to manage the organisation of displays, and to liaise with relevant V&A departments, LDF team, external contributors and experts as necessary, with relation to LDF@V&A and other festival projects
- to work with the LDF@V&A project manager, and other festival project teams, to ensure that installation works are undertaken successfully, and are delivered smoothly within the allocated timeframe
- to oversee the installation of displays where appropriate, and (with the project manager) to be responsible for the safe, effective installation of all LDF@V&A and other festival displays and installations in the museum
Public events programme:
- to work with the LDF and other Festival events teams, and with the V&A learning department, to create a comprehensive programme of public events at the V&A
- to assist with the organisation of events, including room bookings, AV, staffing, ticketing, marketing, and any other requirements to ensure that all events are delivered smoothly
- to oversee events where necessary, including greeting speakers and trouble-shooting
Communications:
- to develop a communications strategy, create presentations throughout the year to promote LDF and other festivals, and to communicate widely and effectively throughout the museum
- to answer all enquiries relating to festivals at the V&A throughout the year, including enquiries from designers, industry and visitors
- to work with the LDF team, V&A Learning Department and other external events and festival organisers to programme a large schedule of events, and to ensure that they are delivered smoothly
- to work with the V&A press and marketing departments, and with the LDF team and PR agency, and other external bodies where relevant, to ensure that all press and marketing activities are handled effectively
- to work with the V&A design and development departments, LDF communications team and Pentagram Design, and other agencies, to ensure that all internal and external signage and marketing materials are delivered effectively and are in line with V&A guidelines
- to work with the V&A and partner web teams, to ensure that both V&A and other websites display the best and most up to date information relating to festival activity
- to supervise the writing and editing, and approve text relating to festival events and display listings, and to upload onto the relevant channels.
- to liaise with the V&A magazine and channel, and to provide content as appropriate
- to liaise with press where appropriate, and to conduct press interviews and tours where necessary
- to liaise with internal and external curators, marketing, learning, development and visitor experience departments
Feedback/wash-up:
- to conduct wash up reviews with displays and events organisers, V&A staff and relevant festival teams, and to produce a series of comprehensive reports on these festivals
- to produce feedback reports, detailing festival outcomes (visitor figures, press cuttings, feedback), and strategic suggestions
- to conduct a post-festival financial wash up, which will include a breakdown of costs
Finance:
- to manage the LDF@V&A and other festival budgets, including budget planning; raising and approving orders and invoices; budget forecasting
Events/parties:
- to represent the museum at LDF@V&A events, including the festival party and any other sponsor-led events, including liaising with LDF sponsors, LDF events and development teams and V&A corporate events department; organising meetings and taking minutes; drawing up guest lists
- to attend events where necessary
Staffing:
- to line manage the work of a project manager, and other staff, providing information and advice where necessary
- to recruit and oversee the work of three or four part-time project assistants working on installations and displays, and events programme as part of the LDF, and as needed for other festivals and events
- to train, manage and oversee 20-30 volunteers working at the V&A during the LDF and as needed for other festivals and events as needed
- to train, manage and oversee V&A volunteers running tours during programmed festivals and events
General:
- to maintain a year-round relationship with the LDF team, and to act as a first point of contact for the LDF team at the V&A; to represent the V&A on other festival boards and panels; and to develop and grow these networks
- to provide comprehensive support for all aspects of the LDF Festival and other programming throughout the lead up, the festival and event periods, and post-events
- to work with the V&A marketing department, LDF team and The Audience Agency to set up visitor profiling; to train and oversee LDF volunteers conducting visitor questionnaires; to arrange for data collection ready for interpretation
- to work on the display/installations programme year-round, including: meeting with designers to discuss potential projects and proposals; keeping track of available spaces in the museum; working on longer-term projects that may be developed over one to two years
- to maintain the LDF Festival presence in the museum, and to represent the V&A in dealings with the LDF team, including: liaising with V&A staff over internal displays that may be included in the Festival programme; liaising with LDF over V&A projects that may be relevant to their audiences
- to be committed to health and safety and to ensure familiarity with all the V&A’s health and Safety policies and procedures
- to be security conscious, ensure familiarity and co-operation with all museum security procedures and ensure you wear a security pass at all times when on museum premises
- to promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/dignity and actively contributing to developments that support the museum’s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity
- to carry out ad hoc duties as requested by appropriate managers within your department
Person specification
Essential requirements:
- a relevant first degree in a discipline related to the V&A and its collections
- proven relevant administrative experience working within a museum, festival or comparable arts organisation
- experience of managing public events and festivals within a heritage organisation, or comparable projects
- experience of and interest in creative programming, contemporary design and performance practice, and festivals
- experience of budget management and staff management
- excellent communication & interpersonal skills in dealing with people in person, by correspondence and on the telephone, and the ability to remain calm and deal courteously with people whilst under pressure
- an excellent level of organisation and attention to detail
- an excellent level of written English in order to prepare paperwork and briefs, and to write, edit and approve marketing text
- the ability to set up and run office administration systems
- good IT skills including Microsoft Office and other systems
- a willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary
- the ability to plan and organise own workload with minimal supervision, and to work with great attention to detail and from own initiative
- flexibility and a willingness to work as part of a small team, and the ability to oversee other staff
Desirable requirements:
- interest, knowledge and enthusiasm for the arts, especially theatre and performance, contemporary design, museums and festivals
- a relevant second degree
- vocational training in festival management, performance and events in heritage environments
Other information
Hours/salary
Net working hours (i.e. excluding meal breaks) are 36 per week.
The salary for this role will be £32,594 – £35,887. Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis.
Annual leave
28 days plus eight days public holidays.
Pension benefits
You will be auto enrolled into the museum’s Group Personal Pension Scheme and have the opportunity on completion of probation to an enhanced pension provision, including an employer contribution of 10%.
Other benefits
- non-contributory life assurance policy (to value of four times annual salary)
- an interest free season ticket or bicycle loan is available after three months
- free entrance to all the major museums and exhibitions in London as well as many others
- subsidised staff restaurant and discounts on purchases in V&A shops
Application process:
Please apply online via the V&A’s website by clicking here
If you are having technical difficulties applying online, please use the online chat functionality which can be found on the bottom right hand side of the form. Alternatively, you can contact Vacancy Filler directly on 01509 236434, and quote the role reference number and your application number (if known). Please note, Vacancy Filler are contactable, Monday – Friday between 9.00am – 5.00pm.
If you have any queries regarding the role and/or the V&A’s recruitment process, you can email us – [email protected] or telephone us on 020 7942 2937 (working hours Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm).