Organizer Information
The Southbank Centre is the United Kingdom’s largest arts centre and one of Europe’s leading multidisciplinary cultural institutions. Located on London’s South Bank, the organization operates an extensive 11-acre cultural campus that includes the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, and the internationally renowned Hayward Gallery.
As a charitable organization, Southbank Centre presents a broad range of visual arts, music, performance, literature, and public engagement programs. Its mission focuses on supporting artists, engaging audiences, and creating accessible cultural experiences for diverse communities. Through its Visual Arts department and Site Design team, the organization commissions and delivers ambitious public art installations, exhibitions, architectural interventions, and artist-led projects throughout its cultural campus.
Title & Description
Assistant Curator – Site Design (Full-Time Permanent Position)
Southbank Centre is seeking an Assistant Curator – Site Design to join its Visual Arts department on a full-time permanent contract. This position forms part of a specialist team responsible for developing and delivering artistic projects, installations, exhibitions, and site-responsive commissions across the Southbank Centre campus.
Working closely with the Hayward Gallery and other departments, the successful candidate will contribute to the realization of large-scale public-facing visual arts projects. The role combines curatorial research, project management, artist liaison, commissioning support, and exhibition coordination.
The position offers an opportunity to work within one of Europe’s most influential arts institutions while helping shape artistic programming experienced by millions of visitors annually. The successful applicant will support the development of innovative visual arts projects that reflect both the Hayward Gallery’s exhibition program and Southbank Centre’s wider artistic vision.
The Role Overview
- Position: Assistant Curator – Site Design
- Department: Visual Arts
- Organisation: Southbank Centre
- Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
- Workplace Type: Onsite
- Location: Southbank, London, United Kingdom
- Annual Salary: £39,800 per year
- Reporting To: A member of the exhibitions team within the Visual Arts department
- Contract Type: Permanent Employment
- Programme Area: Site Design and Visual Arts Programming
- Application Method: Online application only
Position & Tasks
The selected candidate will contribute to the planning, coordination, and delivery of visual arts and site design projects across Southbank Centre.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the development and management of exhibition and site-design projects
- Assisting with curatorial research and project development
- Coordinating project schedules and timelines
- Contributing to artistic programming discussions and planning
- Working closely with artists, curators, architects, designers, and fabricators
- Supporting the commissioning and management of external contractors
- Assisting with the production and installation of public art projects
- Monitoring project progress and ensuring deadlines are met
- Maintaining project documentation and administrative records
- Collaborating across departments to support successful project delivery
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Curatorial Practice
- Art Management
- Public Art
- Installation Art
- Architecture
- Exhibition Design
- Site-Specific Art
- Contemporary Art
- Cultural Programming
- Arts Administration
- Project Management
Eligibility
- Experience delivering large-scale art, exhibition, architectural, or public-space projects
- Experience working with artists, curators, and creative practitioners
- Strong organizational and project-management skills
- Excellent research and administrative abilities
- Attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom (according to applicable employment regulations)
The employer welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and actively encourages diversity and inclusion within its workforce.
Program Benefits
- Annual salary of £39,800
- Permanent full-time employment
- Employer pension contribution starting at 5% and increasing up to 9% depending on employee contributions
- 28 days annual leave plus public holidays
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced family leave benefits
- Up to 30% discounts at onsite retail, food, and beverage outlets
- Staff ticket offers for Southbank Centre events
- Free admission to Hayward Gallery exhibitions
- Free or discounted admission to partner cultural institutions
- Free staff yoga sessions
- Professional development opportunities within a leading international arts organization
- Direct experience working with high-profile contemporary art projects and artists
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Online application form
- Professional CV or résumé
- Employment and personal information are requested through the application portal
- Any additional materials requested within the official job application system
Applicants are strongly advised to review the official job description document before applying.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 7 June 2026
- Employment Type: Permanent Position
- Start Date: To be determined by Southbank Centre following recruitment and selection
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process for applicants who require accessibility support.
- The role is part of a four-person Site Design team within the Visual Arts department.
- The position involves collaboration with the Hayward Gallery and other departments across Southbank Centre.
- Experience in exhibition organization and public-space art projects is highly desirable.
- The organization values diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in recruitment.
- Candidates from arts and non-arts backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they possess relevant transferable skills and experience.