Capital Project Manager

Overview

The Design Museum is embarking on an exciting project to rethink its permanent collection gallery – Designer Maker User.

Our goal is to give more visibility and prominence to the collection, ensuring it plays a more impactful role within the museum. This deeply collaborative project that seeks to consult with different communities will create a more dynamic, inclusive, and accessible experience for all visitors. Our ambition is that it will set a new benchmark for low-carbon exhibition design and collection care.

Job scope

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the end-to-end delivery of the project including the safe removal of the existing Designer Maker User gallery and to deliver the design development, construction and installation of a brand-new gallery.

The museum has secured development phase funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), providing the funds required to fully scope out further detail and costings for full project delivery. We are now looking for a Capital Project Manager to oversee all aspects of this £3.5 million capital project, from planning through to implementation, including developing the Delivery Phase Funding application to the Heritage Fund.

Job description

• The complete job description/person specification is available to download from our careers portal vacancy listing.

Project leadership

• Lead on the planning, development, and delivery of the new collection display as part of the transformation of the permanent collection gallery, ensuring alignment with the museum's strategic goals and the objectives outlined in the NHLF funding proposal.
• Establish and maintain a project documentation structure, including definition of roles and responsibilities.
• Ensure that all project deliverables meet the highest standards of quality, whether they relate to design, interpretation, technology, or visitor experience. Ensure that all work adheres to the museum's strategic vision and the NLHF's requirements.

Project delivery

• Oversee procurement and management of the necessary consultant and contractor appointments to the requirements of Design Museum policy and the Heritage Fund requirements.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and key deliverables. Ensure that the project remains on track, create and maintain project risk registers, addressing any potential risks or delays promptly. Coordinating operational requirements, liaising between staff members, the landlord's agents and contractors to minimise negative impacts of project delivery.
• Oversee the project budget, ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Manage procurement processes and external contractors, ensuring that the project stays within budget and scope. Coordinating all information required for the Heritage Fund and other grant funder reporting, including Heritage Fund draw down.

Reporting and documentation

• Prepare and present regular project updates and reports to senior leadership and the NHLF, tracking progress against objectives, budget, and timelines.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of all project-related materials for future reference. Producing a clear and accurate project documentation pack at completion.

Person specification

Essential

Experience

• Significant experience in project management, ideally within the museum, heritage, or cultural sector.
• Experience in managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects and working with large teams and external stakeholders.

Skills

• Exceptional project management skills, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and resource management.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities, with a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams, and a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and external partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to a range of stakeholders, including senior leadership, funders, and the public.
• Ability to negotiate and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels and find appropriate solutions to conflicting priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of museum collections, exhibitions, and gallery displays, particularly in relation to design, visitor experience, and accessibility.

Salary: up to £36,000 per annum (based on a full-time equivalent of £45,000 per annum), dependent on experience

Holidays: 25 days per annum (pro rata) + Christmas eve (museum closed)

Hours: 28 hours per week, part-time, 4 days per week

Contract: Fixed term, 36 months

Location: on-site at the Design Museum Kensington, with the possibility of hybrid working in accordance with the museum's policy and, depending on the needs of the project

Closing date: Sunday 16 November (midnight)

Interviews: Tuesday 25 November

Application process

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

If you encounter any issues while completing your application, please email before the vacancy closing date. We will be in touch as soon as possible; (please note the inbox is monitored Monday-Friday).