Networks Manager (Parental Leave Cover)

Networks Manager (Parental Leave Cover)

Are you an experienced manager working in cultural administration, with the skills and knowledge to run programmes that connect and support researchers, curators and emerging scholars and professionals? Are you passionate about changing perceptions of British art research? Are you keen to create skill development opportunities and space for researchers to connect? The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (PMC) is looking for a Networks Manager (Parental Leave Cover) to oversee the delivery of the Centre’s Networks and further develop our offer.

Who We Are

As a research centre and educational charity, PMC aims to generate original, inclusive and creative thinking and scholarship on British art, understood in its most diverse and expansive contexts. We host and support a thriving programme of research events. We publish innovative books and a wide range of digital outputs, including our prize-winning journal British Art Studies. We pursue individual and collaborative research projects. With our grants and fellowships programme, we sustain the most exciting and original work in British art and visual culture. We make our specialist archives and library accessible to a growing public, at Bedford Square and beyond. We deliver teaching and learning programmes and run networks that connect researchers and professionals.

About the Role

PMC is looking for a Networks Manager (Parental Leave Cover) to manage the delivery of the Centre’s Networks and further develop our offer of networking events and skill development programmes.

The PMC’s Networks connect and support researchers who are engaging with British art in its broadest sense, at different stages of their working lives. The networks currently include the Doctoral Researchers Network (DRN), Early Career Researchers Network (ECRN) and the British Art Network (BAN), a subject-specialist network supported by PMC in partnership with Tate. The programming of each network is led by a convenor: annually appointed external convenors in the case of the ECRN and DRN; the Head of Grants, Networks and Learning in the case of BAN. Additionally, the PMC Networks team run programmes and events to support the vocational development of emerging researchers and professionals, currently including the British Art in Motion film competition and the Art Trade Seminar. During 2025 our Networks programme will be developed and refined, with a new consolidated network for emerging researchers. The post-holder will undertake the final planning and implementation of the new network.

Salary will be £44,000.

This post is a fixed-term contract for a minimum period of 10 months, full-time and the hours of work are 35 per week.

Applicants will be expected to work on site at the Paul Mellon Centre, Bedford Square, London WC1 (or remotely as circumstances demand). We are happy to talk about flexible working arrangements offered by the Centre.

Responsibilities

British Art Network

The successful applicant will:

• take an active role in the BAN team, based across Tate and PMC, in overseeing the effective delivery of the Network’s activities
• lead on BAN’s membership and communications, including working with the external web developer in maintaining and developing the dedicated BAN website and preparing and delivering membership-wide mailings
• work with the Convenor to plan and deliver the Curatorial Forum (a global residential programme) overseeing the logistics and administration (including travel and accommodation bookings)
• work with the BAN Coordinator to ensure all BAN activities are accessible and inclusive, in line with BAN’s baseline requirements
• contribute to strategic planning of BAN’s programmes as it enters a new phase of activity at the end of 2025, helping ensure these are in line with BAN’s core values and ambitions, and are aligned with the mission, values and Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) policies of Tate and PMC

Early Career Researchers Network and Doctoral Researchers Network

The successful applicant will:

• manage the effective planning, administration and delivery of DRN and ECRN programmes, working with PMC colleagues and the Network Convenors
• ensure the smooth running of events organised by the Network Convenors, at the PMC and elsewhere, ensuring these comply with EDI policy and align with PMC values
• liaise with the PMC’s digital team and the Communications Manager to coordinate the networks’ presence on the PMC’s website and social media
• oversee the management of both networks’ membership databases and ensure all data held is GDPR compliant, in line with the policies set out by the Data Protection Manager

Networks Development

The successful applicant will:

• work with the Head of Grants, Networks and Learning in planning and implementing a restructured Networks programme in 2025/6, including planning for the next stages of the Art Trade Forum residential programme and British Art in Motion (undergraduate film competition), and contributing to new PMC displays programme as appropriate
• work with the Head of Grants, Networks and Learning and a range of internal and external stakeholders, to finalise plans for and implement a consolidated ECRN for PMC
• plan for and manage any changes required to networks’ membership databases and other membership lists, and ensure all data held is GDPR compliant, in line with the policies set out by the Data Protection Manager
• with the Head of Grants, Networks and Learning, develop and plan professional development programmes for 2025–26
• ensure the effective communication of these changes internally and among stakeholders and members, including updating/revising web content

Person Specification

The successful applicant will have:

• significant experience of leading on the simultaneous delivery of multiple projects, effectively managing workload, stakeholders and team members (including line management)
• in-depth understanding of how networks can engage and support their members, including skill development opportunities, research sharing and events programming
• a collaborative approach to teamworking with a commitment to learning, sharing and adapting, as well as proven ability to work proactively and independently as required
• extensive practical experience in managing budgets in an organisational context, with a keen understanding of administrative processes and relevant software/resources
• experience of working with databases (ideally membership databases) on a significant scale, with an understanding of GDPR obligations
• experience of being a highly effective communicator – in person, in writing and through published online communications
• knowledge and ideally practical experience of marketing and audience development, insofar as these may apply to network activity
• understanding of the principles of equality, inclusion and diversity and a proactive approach to applying and promoting these in the workplace
• appreciation of a range of access needs and experience of helping create accessible working environments and/or events
• an understanding of PMC’s work and objectives and its context in the cultural sector, and a commitment to extending the reach and impact of our networks
• experience of working with external and internal stakeholders and partner organisations

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is Thursday 3 October 2024 10am GMT.

Full information including a full job description can be found on the Paul Mellon Centre's website.