Collections Manager - Ref: EE04026
G9: £42,839 - £46,142 per annum.
The New Art Gallery Walsall (Permanent, 37 hours per week)
Monday – Friday. Weekend working and evenings will also be required.
The venue:
The New Art Gallery Walsall is one of the leading visual arts venues in the West Midlands. Situated in the heart of Walsall town centre, the Gallery is a busy and vibrant building with an exciting programme of contemporary art exhibitions and collections displays, lively learning, education and community events, an artist studio, library, café, conference facilities and shop.
The Gallery is home to the prestigious Garman Ryan collection, including works by Jacob Epstein and Lucian Freud, as well as Constable, Degas, Matisse, Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. The New Art Gallery Walsall has also an impressive Permanent Collection of over 3500 works - as well as Victorian history paintings and works with a resonance to Walsall, the Gallery retains a strong commitment to contemporary collecting. Additional information is available through the Collections page of our website.
The Gallery provides a truly unique place for its visitors to experience, learn from, and participate in the visual arts. As part of Walsall Council and funded as a National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England, the Gallery is committed to delivering ambitious artistic programmes and meaningful engagement with diverse audiences.
The role:
We are seeking an ambitious and experienced Collections professional to lead the care, development and interpretation of our Collections, Archives and Art Library.
Reporting to the Head of Exhibitions & Collections, you will play a central role in shaping how our collections are managed, displayed and shared with audiences. You will oversee collections management to accreditation standards, develop policies and procedures, and curate a dynamic programme of exhibitions and displays.
You will also:
Lead on the accessioning, conservation and long-term care of the Gallery’s collections and archives
Develop and manage loans, acquisitions and collections policies
Curate and deliver exhibitions and displays from the collection
Increase public access and engagement through innovative interpretation
Build partnerships with artists, donors, communities and sector peers
Line manage the Collections and Archives Assistant and support wider team development
This is a key role for the organisation, acting as an advocate for the Collections and contributing to the Gallery’s wider artistic and strategic ambitions.
You:
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic individual, with good attention to detail and an excellent team player to join us for the next exciting stage in the Gallery’s future.
As a skilled and motivated professional with a passion for collections and public engagement you will bring:
Strong experience in collections management within a museum or gallery setting.
Knowledge of historic, modern, and contemporary art.
Experience of curating exhibitions and developing engaging displays.
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence to work across teams and with partners.
Creative thinking and the ability to develop innovative approaches to interpretation and audience engagement.
Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively.
Why join us?
At The New Art Gallery Walsall, you’ll be part of a passionate and supportive team working within a nationally recognised cultural institution. We offer:
The opportunity to work with an important and diverse art collection
A leading role in shaping how collections are experienced by audiences
Professional development and opportunities to grow your career
The chance to contribute to an ambitious Arts Council England funded programme
Benefits:
Whilst working with Walsall Council you can take advantage of a host of employee benefits, including:
Generous annual leave entitlement (increasing after 5 years)
Access to the LG Pension scheme
Wide range of training opportunities
Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health support
Cycle scheme and car leasing scheme
15% selected membership discount for Walsall Leisure centres + other local discounts
As part of Walsall Council, you will also benefit from a strong organisational commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and flexible working.
Additional Information:
Based at The New Art Gallery Walsall, with some flexibility to work at other locations
Includes occasional evening and weekend working and public engagement activity
Opportunity to represent the Gallery at events, previews and sector networks
We want our staff to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve in Walsall, and at The New Art Gallery we are committed to promoting equality and anti-discriminatory practice. We welcome applications from people of all cultures, races, ethnicities and religions, of different genders, ages, sexual orientations, and abilities, and recognise unique perspectives and contributions.
For more information on the role, or to discuss aspects of this role, please contact Deb Robinson, Head of Exhibitions & Collections.
[email protected] . Additional information is also available on our website thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
View Job Description and Employee Specification
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
Closing Date: Sunday 28th June 2026
Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That's why - as well as a satisfying and rewarding job - we offer a range of attractive benefits . Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.
We advertise vacancies because we want the best talent available. If that's you, we're waiting for your application.
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Part of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages.
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