Southend-on-Sea City Council is seeking to appoint a Head of Contemporary Visual Arts to strategically lead, manage and support contemporary visual arts across Focal Point Gallery and the wider City, including Southend Museums and Galleries.  The Focal Point Gallery is situated in Southend-on-Sea on the ground floor of The Forum building, a unique and exciting partnership project which opened in 2013, bringing a state-of-the-art library and learning facilities to the heart of Southend City Centre.

About Focal Point Gallery

Focal Point Gallery is South Essex’s only public contemporary art gallery, open to all. Offering an exciting and ambitious programme of workshops, talks, outdoor film screenings and offsite projects, we also present four free major exhibitions a year featuring international and local artists. We believe in building a community and a safe space to enjoy art and the creative process, where everyone is valued. Our aim is to inspire curiosity by supporting artists to produce and present thought-provoking art made today that explores our locality, sense of self and the importance of communities through investigating current concerns that resonate internationally.

Exhibitions have included new commissions by critically acclaimed artists including Elsa James, Rafal Zajko, Cui Jie, Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings, Lindsay Seers and Rosa-Johan Uddoh, as well as group exhibitions in partnership with Hayward Gallery touring and Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange. We have produced temporary public artworks with George Morl, Janette Parris, Bridget Smith and Rosie Grace Ward, and upon moving to our current site in 2013, a series of permanent commissions by Marc Camille Chaimowicz, Mike Nelson, Allen Ruppersberg and Tris Vonna-Michell. Off-site projects include ‘Made from this Land’ by Emma Edmonson and the yearly Railway Bridge commission.

We set out to enrich the cultural lives of local residents of all ages and backgrounds, providing them access to world-class, pioneering art, and creating opportunities to develop their own creative skills and thinking. We strengthen our offer through partnerships and networks, working together to co-design projects and initiatives with a belief in working openly with partners. As a key focus of our output, Focal Point Gallery’s learning programme aims to engage people of all ages in current debates around contemporary art and looks to extend and develop new audiences. We consider the philosophies and working methods of the artists in our exhibitions programme as the starting point for inspiration, aspiration and discussion in the community. On this basis, the gallery seeks to proactively engage with a wide range of local community groups, schools, young people and children.

Founded in 1990, the gallery has developed from a corner of the old Southend library to a front facing, accredited and nationally regarded visual arts institution. Our building, The Forum, is shared with Southend City College, University of Essex and the Southend Library. The building partners collaboratively programme Big Screen Southend, a purpose-built outdoor digital display screen adjacent to The Forum.

A local gallery with an international reach, for over 30 years Focal Point Gallery has championed Southend-on-Sea, attracting visitors to the city and work to change perceptions of Essex, England’s most misunderstood county through Radical ESSEX; an on-going project that re-examines the history of the county in relation to radicalism in thought, lifestyle, politics and architecture. We advocate for culture led regeneration and investment opportunities to support growth of the local economy and positive placemaking for our region.

Southend on Sea City Council is seeking to appoint a full time, permanent Head of Contemporary Visual Arts to strategically lead, manage and support contemporary visual arts across Focal Point Gallery, the Southend Museums and Galleries and the wider City.  

This exciting new role will lead on a programme of high profile contemporary visual arts exhibitions, events, public realm and offsite projects within Focal Point Gallery and the City of Southend on Sea.

Applicants need to be an inspirational leaders with vision, energy, experience and commitment to take a leading role in contributing to the vision of the organisation and the City. You will need to be a creative and strategic thinker, well networked and experienced at working with artists both nationally and internationally in order to research, curate, plan and deliver a programme of high-profile exhibitions in contemporary visual arts.

Supported by a committed and highly motivated team, you will build on the success of recent years and develop a range of new and exciting projects, exhibitions, offsite, public realm and educational outreach programmes. Demonstrating strong communication skills, with the ability to engage persuasively with the team, internal and external partners and stakeholders, you will champion inclusivity and diversity, sharing the Council's core values.

Focal Point Gallery is part of Southend City Council and receives funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.

Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.

Interviews will be held on w/c 18th August 2025, the interview process will require a presentation.

All applications should include details of your relevant experience, and a statement of no more than two sides of A4 as to why you feel you are a good fit for this role.

To be successful in this position, it is essential that you hold a degree in visual arts or media related discipline. A postgraduate qualification or equivalent in gallery or museums studies, arts management, education or another related field is also desirable.

You will need excellent current knowledge of contemporary, artistic practice and current critical debate in the contemporary visual arts, and experience of commissioning and delivering art in the public realm.

Have an understanding of sector external funding systems and have a working knowledge of issues relating to community development, social inclusion and arts led regeneration are requirements of the role.

Experience of working in a contemporary visual art, or cultural organisation, and a track record of successfully, curating planning and organising exhibitions of contemporary visual arts are essential to this role.

Having an extensive professional network with artists, galleries and other private and public institutions would be desirable for this role.

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

If you would like a copy the Job Description, please Click here

If you are wanting further information that isn't in the JD, please contact Nathalie Nathalie.s@hays.com

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.