Head of Learning & Engagement

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

This post will drive forward the vision for Learning and Engagement at East, ensuring that our new sites function as accessible and relevant resources that support local communities and that actively contribute to creative and careers education for young people. At the heart of this role is a commitment to collaboration and creative leadership that includes close work with the V&A East Chief Curator, to ensure Learning and Engagement contributes actively to the growing creative programme at V&A East, and that outputs are in tune with community need.  

Over the next 12 months this post will work with colleagues across V&A East and the wider museum to deliver final pre-opening programme activity including our Schools Tour, Youth Collective and Make Space.  Simultaneously, the successful candidate will oversee the finalisation of co-creation projects, will plan and deliver launch events for Learning and Engagement and establish business as usual programming in our new buildings.  

This will require careful and coordinated work that brings young and community stakeholders into the heart of decision-making, but that also is practically aligned with multiple internal stakeholders.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

Strategy

• Strategically oversee and build on an ambitious diverse community engagement and learning vision and programme for V&A East
• Lead on achieving our aim for V&A East to reflect the interests and needs of local communities with a particular focus on young people and creative sector through a programme of consultation and collaboration. Oversee community and local stakeholder relationships to enable productive two-way dialogues with future users and collaborators of V&A East. 
• Build a framework for engagement and participation at V&A East that communicates the unique and collaborative approach that puts diverse young voices at the heart of all programmes.
• Facilitate internal relationships that enable the Learning and Engagement programmes and team members to work in an integrated way with colleagues across V&A East and in the wider organisation, including close collaboration with Visitor Experience, Curatorial and Collections Care and Access.

Programme Delivery 

• Lead the team responsible for the development and delivery of learning, youth practice and community engagement for V&A East. This includes providing mentoring, motivation, and supporting their development.
• Support sustained and productive relationships with communities and organisations across East London; championing and advocating for these communities internally, and constructively challenging internal stakeholders as needed.
• Support the delivery of finalised collaborative and co-created exhibits and programmes. 
• Lead on the design and implementation of a strategic programme of post-opening learning and engagement activities including V&A-led, collaborative and co-created outputs, contributing to the development of multisite strategies for learning at V&A with Learning and Engagement peers at other V&A sites.
• Work with colleagues in the People team and external organisations such as LLDC, the Good Growth Hub, and East Bank Partners to develop career pathways in particular for entry-level roles across V&A East.
• Champion a people-centred and community-engagement approach to the vision and development of V&A East in relation to staffing, operations, content programming and partnership planning and ensure aspirations to make this a ‘locally-owned’ and relevant institution are met.
• Maintain awareness of best practice and a research-led approach. Bring sector specialist skills and innovative thinking to the project to develop new models of public engagement, participation and co-creation practice for V&A East.
• Represent the V&A and the V&A East project within and external to the Museum, including with East Bank partners. 
• Within the multi-site strategy for learning lead on V&A East working collegiately with South Kensington and Young V&A teams.
• Oversee the establishment of spaces for learning and engagement across V&A East sites, including the Creative Workshops and Studios. And work closely with relevant colleagues including Projects, Operations to achieve this.
• Oversee Learning and Engagement budgets ensuring careful and effective allocation of resources and accountability in relation to income targets where applicable. 

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Skills

• Proven ability of having effectively managed complex budgets and resources.
• Excellent communication and writing skills. 
• Evidence of practical and organisational skills. 
• Demonstrable computer skills, competence in standard software in professional use, experience of working with social and other digital media, and ability to manage information systematically and accurately. 

Experience

• Experience and evidence of developing key relationships with communities and / or organisations in east London.
• Relevant experience of developing and leading learning programmes in museums, galleries or equivalent community / cultural / arts organisations.
• Experience of working collaboratively with culturally and socially diverse audiences to ensure a responsive and relevant programme.
• A proven track-record of developing and delivering engagement and outreach programmes. 

Behaviours 

• Demonstrable evidence of practice in creative education.
• A resilient, independent self-starter with excellent advocacy and interpersonal skills. 
• Demonstrate creativity and an appetite for innovation with the ability to plan and deliver programmes related to art, design and performance.  
• Evidence of ability to work under pressure, to multi-task and to work effectively as part of a team. 
• Proven ability to develop and maintain excellent relationships with individuals across the Museum.

To view the full job description, please click here –>V&A East Head of Learning & Engagement JD