Overview

An opportunity to join the Exhibitions team has arisen with the team seeking to appoint a permanent, part time Gallery Technician. The team works with all staff to support the museum in its mission to create the most engaging, exciting, and inspiring design museum in the world and its vision for everyone to understand the value of design.


Job scope

This is a hands-on role, operating with a range of museum teams and external partners to deliver the required outcomes efficiently. It works in a flexible manner to enable the museum to deliver first-class exhibitions.

The technician team is involved in the feasibility, design, fabrication, and maintenance of the museum’s range of exhibitions. The ideal candidate will have an interest in embracing new technology, solving challenges through unique solutions, and acting as a subject knowledge expert.


Job description
Exhibitions support
• Deputising for the Gallery Manager to attend relevant exhibition and display project meetings relating to object installation throughout the 3D design and build development phases.
• Assist the Gallery Manager to advise the Exhibitions team on best practice relating to object handling & installation, Health and Safety, Construction Design Management (CDM) and COSHH regulations.
• Monitor gallery and object conditions, advising of any deterioration or damage. Record details of damage with images and escalate to the Gallery Manager.
• Undertake and/or oversee the maintenance of all permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, collection objects and loans, storage areas and workshops. This includes all cleaning, repairs and maintenance of objects and artworks on view in the exhibition and display spaces.
• Support on-site as required for temporary exhibition installations and de-installations, including temporary movements and reinstallations.
• Support the museum in the movement, handling and packing of exhibits within the museum and for tours.
• Assist and support with essential carpentry and preparatory works including the design and fabrication of mounts, plinths, object supports, lecterns etc.
• Support and/or undertake as required, object installation, mounting, framing etc. Work with build contractors and casual staff ensuring that they operate in accordance with contractual agreements.
• Adhere to risk assessments and method statements.

Technical support
• Work with the wider teams where appropriate in the exhibition technical planning meetings when the Gallery Manager is unavailable.
• Ensure all tools and equipment are properly maintained and the paperwork is up to date; flagging any asset replacement needs to the Gallery Manager for inclusion in budget planning.
• Assist the Gallery Manager with the management of the COSHH cupboard and ensuring data sheets are up to date.
• Using moving equipment such as pallet trucks.

General support
• Attend weekly departmental meetings, regular catch-ups with the Gallery Manager and departmental workshops.
• Ensure all stock items are replenished and are labelled, properly protected, stored safely, and inventoried, i.e. Perspex hoods, plinths, and crates, working within the allocated department budget.
• Working with the wider teams to ensure that all Technician storage spaces are effectively managed and maintained.
• When instructed by the Gallery Manager, manage and allocate resources for all helpdesk gallery maintenance tasks; ensuring they are carried out in a timely manner and updating the system appropriately.
• Ensure the department digital calendar is kept up to date.
• Provide condition reporting (via the Articheck system) as part of the exhibition installation and de-rig processes.
• Working with and supporting programme participants to help enable their full integration into the museum.

Person specification
Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential
• Demonstrable practical and technical skills, including carpentry, mounting, and framing, decorating skills with the ability to use a wide variety of tools.
• Knowledge of CDM requirements.
• Excellent organisational, time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to maintain a flexible and accurate approach when working under pressure and the ability to escalate where necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - working collaboratively in teams with colleagues at all levels across an organisation and with external supplier stakeholders.
• A problem-solving approach with the ability to work on own initiative.
• Excellent team player and collaborative approach to working with colleagues.
• Good understanding of and interest in sustainable and environmental principles and how to apply these to the delivery of the role.
• A keen interest in design and museums.


Desirable
• IPAF qualification (advantageous, training for the right candidate will be given)
• Proficiency in a range of commonly used office software, notably MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Demonstrable experience of working as part of an exhibition installation team in a museum or gallery environment
• Knowledge of best museum practise (e.g. object handling)
• Warehouse/Workshop/Collections management experience



Terms and conditions:

Salary: up to £18,636 per annum, pro-rata, dependent on experience (based on a full-time equivalent of £30,060)

Holidays: 15 days pro rata + Christmas eve (museum closed)

Hours: part-time, 3 days / 21 hours per week,

Location: Onsite, Design Museum Kensington



Closing date: Sunday 12 May 2024, midnight

Interviews: w/c 20 May 2024



Application process

For all the latest job vacancies at the Design Museum, please visit our Careers page to apply via our online portal.

https://www.cloudonlinerecruitment.co.uk/thedesignmuseum/VacancyDetails.aspx?FromSearch=True&MenuID=&VacancyID=195

During the application process you will be asked to download an application form. The completed application form must be reuploaded onto your application. Please note we are not able to accept other forms of application for our job roles.