Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is the leading international centre for modern and contemporary sculpture, situated in the 500-acre, 18th-century Bretton Hall estate in West Yorkshire. Founded in 1977 by Director Peter Murray CBE, YSP was the first sculpture park in the UK, and is the largest of its kind in Europe. YSP presents a significant collection of sculpture and mounts a world-class year-round temporary exhibitions programme including some of the world’s leading artists across six indoor galleries and the open air. YSP’s driving purpose for over 40 years has been to ignite, nurture and sustain interest in and debate around contemporary art and sculpture, especially with those for whom art participation is not habitual or familiar. It enables open access to art, situations and ideas, and continues to re-evaluate and expand the approach to considering art’s role and relevance in society. YSP welcomes close to half a million visitors each year and supports a further 40,000 people through its innovative learning programmes.

YSP’s Founding Director, Peter Murray, has now announced that he will be stepping down from his role in 2022. The Board of Trustees are now seeking candidates to come forward for the position of Director. Whilst this will be a significant moment of transition for the organisation there are also many exciting and interesting challenges and opportunities ahead for YSP and this is a chance for an incoming Director to help develop and implement a new long-term and sustainable strategy and business plan for the Park to ensure it continues to thrive and have impact in the years ahead.

Candidates will bring senior strategic leadership experience, gained in a similarly complex environment. They will need the knowledge and experience to play an important and impactful role in the art world as well as the entrepreneurial skills to operate a complex mix of charitable and trading activities. The post-holder will need strong people and operational management skills and will be a compelling communicator and experienced fundraiser. Demonstrating a passion for YSP’s vision and legacy will be critical.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Yorkshire Sculpture Park on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EYYSB. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Wednesday 15 September 2021.