Senior Project Manager- Venice (Hiring Immediately)

Company Description

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

We are only Accepting Direct Applications through British Council Website.

Please apply to:

Senior Project Manager – Venice.

Pay band: 8
Salary: Starting at £33,904 plus £3,300 London Market Allowance for those based in the London area. Benefits Include, but are not limited to:
• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
• 3 days volunteering leave
• Career average defined benefit pension scheme
• An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and/or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world.

Location: Cardiff, London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Belfast only. (The UK).
Department: Architecture, Design & Fashion – Arts.
Contract type: Indefinite
Closing Date : 18th June 2023 at 23:59 UK Time.

You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.

There is no relocation or sponsorship support.

Overview:

The British Council’s Arts team is looking for a Senior Project Manager for the annual delivery of the British Pavilion exhibition at the Venice Biennale. The successful candidate will have extensive project and contract management experience as well as be expert in working with creative teams to deliver high-quality exhibitions.

The Context:

This role sits within the Cultural Engagement (CE) Strategic Business Unit (SBU). CE brings together our portfolio of work in arts, education, English, and research. Our UK arts team works with the arts and culture sector in the UK, and our global network of offices, to achieve significant impact and change by finding new ways of connecting and seeing each other through the arts.

Our work is delivered through four global programmes: Culture Connects supports artistic and cultural exchange between the UK and countries internationally; Spotlights on Culture engages and represents the UK’s cultural diversity and creativity at high-profile cultural events; Creative Economy analyses creative ecosystems and highlights emerging trends and areas of convergence and difference between creative economies. Arts Responds to Global Challenges celebrates the transformative power of arts and culture to change attitudes and the protection and promotion of cultural expression, diversity and heritage at risk.

Purpose of the role:

This is an exciting role that will lead and manage the delivery of the International Architecture and Art exhibitions at the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale each year.

As a recognised expert in project management and exhibition delivery, you’ll ensure that the exhibitions and all associated programming are delivered to the highest possible standard within budget and to schedule.

As the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is a flagship programme within the Arts portfolio, the role leads on liaising with key partners and stakeholders, practitioners (artists, galleries, architects), partners, organisations, suppliers, contractors and stakeholders (in the UK and in Italy) and managing relationships internally.

The role is also responsible for the management of the Venice Project team, setting tasks and deliverables, ensuring that these are met within agreed schedule and budget through the creation and management of a critical path for both projects.

The Senior Project Manager Venice line manages the Venice Fellowships Programme Manager and the Venice Project Coordinator. The role reports to the Director of Architecture Design and Fashion but works across a number of Arts areas.

Job Description

Main Accountabilities:

Strategy and planning
• Contributes to the development of both the medium-term strategy and annual business plan for the Biennales and the Pavilion building management.

Financial management
• Using agreed British Council systems and processes, plans and manages the exhibition and pavilion management budget.
• Conducts quarterly and year-end reporting on income and expenditure, adhering and contributing to risk management and operational processes, and actively applying learning to improve financial planning, management and performance.
• Supports creation of a sustainable business model for the Biennale, identifying areas of efficiencies and cost savings and works with the Development team on strategies for sponsorship and in-kind support.

Leadership and management
• Sets and oversees the work plan for delivery of each exhibition and the Fellowships and building maintenance programmes, leading a range of internal and external staff based in the UK and Italy to ensure high quality and timely delivery.
• Champions an inclusive organisational culture with opportunities for continuous professional development. Actively contributes to the British Council’s anti-racism action plan and EDI strategy.

Project and Programme Management
• Oversees the commissioning process alongside production and delivery of the exhibitions.
• Sets in place a clear structure and implements project management tools including but not limited to roles and responsibilities, deliverables, meeting structures, reporting and issue escalation procedures. Ensures all aspects of the programme are of high quality, financially sustainable and aligned to the British Council’s strategic priorities while reflecting the needs of external stakeholders and demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
• Sets in place clear plans for delivery of the commissions and exhibitions. Monitors and tracks project progress against the master timeline to ensure smooth delivery.
• Manages the annual selection process working closely with the Commissioners to identify, organise and manage selection committees and juries which reflect the diversity of the UK sector.

Relationship and stakeholder management
• Develops trust-based relationships with a range of key practitioners, partners, suppliers and stakeholders in the UK and Italy to ensure the smooth delivery of the exhibitions and Pavilion maintenance.
• Drafts and negotiates key partnership contracts in a timely manner in order to manage expectations and ensure positive working relationships.

Qualifications

Requirements of the role:

• A proven track record of project managing large-scale complex projects and exhibitions involving a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience of managing large teams in a complex matrix including formal line management
• Experience of working with artists and/ or architects

Additional Information

Closing Date: Applications will close at 23:59 on 18th June 2023 UK Time.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

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