Are you a dynamic project manager looking for your next challenge? Are you passionate about design's ability to transform this country's future? Could you lead the operational delivery of a new collaborative research and innovation programme? The Design Museum is seeking to appoint a Programme Manager (Maternity Cover) for Future Observatory: an exciting new programme of research, debate and training supporting the UK's response to the climate crisis.
Launched in November 2021, the programme is coordinated by the Design Museum in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The programme funds, commissions and curates cutting-edge design research for broad audiences, making design research for the green transition accessible and engaging, and enabling it to have greater impact.
The Future Observatory Programme Manager maternity cover will support the Future Observatory Director and wider team to deliver the final year of a £25m three-year partnership and will have operational responsibility for the successful running and evaluation of Future Observatory as well as developing the strategic plan for .
The post holder will own the milestones in the three-year Delivery Plan, have operational responsibility for the delivery of the programme and will work closely with senior AHRC, UKRI and Design Museum staff on the evaluation of the programme. The role reports to the Future Observatory Director. They will be responsible for a Future Observatory Coordinator and the Future Observatory Community Manager.
Delivery
- Working with the Future Observatory Director to deliver the Future Observatory programme.
- Own the milestones in the three-year Delivery Plan and have operational responsibility for the delivery of the expanded programme.
- Develop and own specific Future Observatory delivery, policy and governance documents, such as delivery timeline, budget, risk register and communications strategy.
- Work with the Future Observatory Director to develop a delivery plan to support the strategic vision for 2025-28.
Management and leadership
- Act as operational lead for the Programme, ensuring robust monitoring, evaluation and risk registers mechanisms are in place; supporting the Future Observatory Director to realise the Delivery Plan.
- Support the Future Observatory Director in developing a delivery framework for the scaled up second phase of Future Observatory: Design the Green Transition .
- Ensure operational and managerial coordination and coherence across the programme, both across its two phases and across the range of projects commissioned as part of each phase.
- Support Future Observatory Director in the day-to-day management of the programme, with the support and guidance of an AHRC Senior Investment Manager.
- Support Future Observatory Director with the Advisory Board.
- Line-manage a Future Observatory Coordinator and the Future Observatory Community Manager.
Engagement and evidence
- Support the Future Observatory Director and Future Observatory Curatorial Director to deliver a UK 2040 Vision strategy report.
- Work with the Future Observatory Director and Future Observatory Research Manger to deliver a £16m Green Transition Ecosystems funding strand, and act as the engagement hub for 4 new consortium clusters across the UK.
- Support the Curatorial Director in convening regular summits, symposia and offsite/national partnership events according to an agreed schedule.
- Provide assistance to the Future Observatory Director and Curatorial Director on Future Observatory commissioned research and any associated exhibitions as required.
- Support horizon scanning with the Future Observatory team, seeking to capitalise on partnerships and collaborations.
Governance and reporting
- Be accountable for reporting to Future Observatory Director and AHRC on the programme's progress against time, milestones and budget.
- Report quarterly to the AHRC and the Future Observatory Director and be prepared to present all or sections of reports to Design Museum Executive and AHRC's Executive Chair and Directors Group.
- Coordinate the development of a three-year reporting document on the programme , ensuring the clear communication of any data and analysis.
Communications
- Oversee the Future Observatory community network and communications strategy.
- Work with the Future Observatory Community Manager and the Design Museum communications team to deliver a unified campaign across the three years of Future Observatory: Design the Green Transition.
The above list is not exhaustive, and applicants for the Programme Manager role are encouraged to present their approach to the successful delivery of the programme and its continuation strategy.
Terms and conditions
Salary: up to £38,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Holidays: 25 days per annum + Christmas eve (museum closed)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Design Museum Kensington is the place of work, with a hybrid arrangement of 60% of an employee's role to be performed at the museum and 40% remote
Contract: fixed-term, until 31 March 2025
Closing date: Sunday 10 March 2024, midnight
Interviews: 20-21 March 2024
How to Apply
More information and detailed Job description and person specification can be found at our website via the button below.
Please note, we can only accept applications made via our online recruitment portal- click link to be directed.
Applications should address the aims of the programme and person specification sections and should be structured as follows:
- A covering letter to include relevant interest, skills and experience (max 2,000 words)
- CV
- Availability to start in role
In case of questions related to the application process, please contact
Design Museum Staff Benefits
Employees are entitled to 25 days holiday, rising to 26 days after two years' service and 27 days after five years' service, plus 8 days Bank Holiday and Christmas Eve (museum closed), pro-rata for part-time employees. Other benefits include flexible working, hybrid working and core hours (10.00am - 4.00pm), where feasible for the role, access to a defined contribution pension scheme, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, an employee assistance programme, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, free entry for friends and family to the museum, a variety of staff discounts including the museum shop, cafes and free entry to a wide number of galleries and museums in London.