The Box
Head of Collections and Programme
The Box is one of the UK’s most significant cultural developments in recent years. It opened in Plymouth in the middle of the global pandemic and has already welcomed more than 500,000 visitors.
The £47m project has transformed three historic city centre buildings, augmenting them with an ambitious contemporary extension, unique ‘archive in the sky’ and a new public square and gathering space. Eight galleries. Seven exhibition spaces. Six national collections. Two million artefacts, archives, films and photographs spread over three buildings.
The Box is where residents and tourists come to experience the best in international contemporary art; to better understand their own history and explore Plymouth’s place in the world through the city’s historic collections and archives. The venue represents Plymouth’s determination to use culture as a catalyst for place-based regeneration; driving economic growth, raising aspirations and improving community cohesion. The city’s confidence in this bold vision has already inspired partners to match its own investment with transformational levels of new external funding.
The Chief Executive of The Box, Victoria Pomery, is now seeking an exceptional candidate to join as Head of Collections and Programme. The role is primarily responsible for conceiving and leading an innovative programme, and ensuring the collections and archive are managed, cared for and curated. The management and motivation of the team is also a core part of the role. In addition, a large part of the role will be externally facing, with the postholder responsible for developing key partnerships locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. As a member of the senior management team, this role plays a key part of the museum leadership within the city.
Candidates will bring a track record in both programming and management, as well as excellent strategic qualities in an arts and cultural context. They will be passionate about the transformative nature of the arts with ambition and drive to match that of the City Council’s.
The Head of Collections and Programme will be a key ambassador for The Box on the national and international stage, with the network and communication skills to match. They will have a passion for arts and culture, a knowledge of collections and museums and ideally, experience working with Arts Council England, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and/or local authorities. A knowledge of contemporary art will be important.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the The Box on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference PANANB1. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Friday 9 June 2023.