Job title: Head of Exhibitions and Events
Reports to: Head of Collections
Location: London
Job number:
Directorate: C&O
Department: Library/Collections
Band :
Competency profile :
2
D
Overall purpose: To develop and produce the RIBA ’s national programme of public-facing exhibitions and events at 66 Portland Place and the V&A in London, Mann
Island in Liverpool and touring around the UK
Responsibilities and outcomes
Knowledge, skills & experience
General role
requirements/expectations
Key responsibilities
 Developing a national public-facing exhibition programme,
supported by an outreach programme of talks, lectures, and
other events to meet the aims of the RIBA communications
and marketing strategy
 Working with the Head of Collections, their team and other
key staff to conceive and deliver creative, well interpreted and
engaging exhibition and public programmes for wide-ranging
audiences, including commissioning and managing
contributors
 Developing and managing robust Exhibitions & Events
budgets in consultation with key internal and external
stakeholders
 Working with the Director of Development to secure
external funding.
 With the Head of Collections and others, developing and
implementing an effective project management framework
and administrative infrastructure to ensure smooth delivery of
agreed programmes
 Project managing the programme including commissioning
contributors
 Working with our teams around the country to deliver a
touring programme of themed exhibitions and events.
 Leading and developing the Exhibitions and Events team
 Advising senior colleagues on public outreach issues.
 Working with the Director and Head of Collections of the
British Architectural Library, develop the V&A + RIBA
Architecture Partnership and liaise with the V&A on joint
programmes
 Assisting the Executive Director of Communications &
Outreach in developing external relationships/partnerships
 Consulting with members of the British Architectural Trust
Essential
Roles at this level are accountable for most or all
of the following:
Substantial experience in a senior public outreach role
in a cultural organisation.
Experience of managing complex projects with
multiple internal and external relationships to tight
budgets and fixed deadlines.
Experience of conceiving and delivering creative and
engaging interpretation strategies with respect to
historic materials and collections.
Experience of commissioning curators, designers,
freelance writers, market research and creatives.
Senior level experience of managing people and
budgets.
Ability to think creatively and strategically.
Scope
Full responsibility for a major area of work
reporting to Executive Director or has
deputising role across the directorate.
Translates directorate strategy into operational
delivery.
Decisions
Makes decisions that impact on a functions’
ability to achieve its annual plan and to meet
some of its longer term objectives.
Objectives and results of role are agreed, but
role holder largely free to determine how to
meet these objectives.
Understanding of marketing and audience research.
People
Desirable
An understanding and demonstrable interest in
architecture and related disciplines.
A recognised project management qualification.
Qualifications
Responsible for staff within the function.
Promote best practice standards by supervising
regularly, monitoring and appraising direct
reports and coaching and supporting team
members.
Resources
Degree or equivalent working experience.
Other
Frequent travel to London or Liverpool and other
UK destinations will be required.
Functional budget accountability; may also have
functional income generation target.
Board on our public outreach strategy and plans.
To undertake other tasks and duties as may be reasonably
required
Key outcomes
 A national programme of exhibitions and events for 66 Portland
Place, Mann Island, the V&A, and touring targeted at the
general public and delivered to schedule
 The programme will be planned 3-5 years ahead and will achieve
75% public visitors, 80% satisfaction levels and meet agreed
KPIs for footfall/visitor numbers.
 The programme will be delivered to national standards,
measured by satisfaction surveys, media reviews and stakeholder
perception studies.
 A broad-based interpretation strategy for the display and
presentation of the RIBA’s collections and the interpretation of
‘architecture’ as a cultural subject.

Ability to work evening and weekends as required by
the programme.