Senior Project Manager- Venice
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.
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
Closing Date: Applications will close at 23:59 on 18th June 2023 UK Time.
Interviews will be held around the first week of July.
You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.
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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.
The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.
We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.
Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.