Gallery Manager

Role Overview

The Collections and Gallery Operations Manager holds a senior operational and quasi-curatorial position, tasked with the stewardship, documentation, and logistics of artworks and design objects. This position also oversees the daily functions of the gallery, ensuring museum-level professionalism in handling pieces throughout exhibitions, sales, consultancy ventures, and collection management.

Reporting Structure

Reporting directly to the Director of Commercial Art & Design, this role supervises the workflows of two Gallery Associates and ensures compliance with art handling and documentation standards. The manager acts as the lead operational authority in the Director’s absence.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief registrar maintaining detailed records of artworks and design objects, assisting with provenance and condition reports.
• Maintain and update the gallery's inventory management system to accurately catalog artworks, design pieces, and client information.
• Coordinate all logistics surrounding rentals, consignments, and sales, including contract management, insurance, shipping documentation, customs processes, and couriers.
• Define packing and installation requirements for artworks.
• Manage artwork insurance policies and risk mitigation both in transit, storage, and display.
• Collaborate professionally with artists, collectors, and logistics providers to adhere to international museum handling standards.
• Oversee day-to-day gallery operations, establishing policies, schedules, and systems for front and back-of-house, vault storage, exhibitions, and consultancy projects.
• Coordinate exhibition planning, events, VIP visits alongside the Director and marketing team.
• Manage vendors and service providers related to fabrication, facility maintenance, security, and cleaning services.
• Supervise Gallery Associates including scheduling, delegating tasks, and enforcing art handling protocols.
• Act as the Director’s deputy on operational matters including logistics, staffing, and client relations.
• Assist in strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting related to artworks, design objects, and gallery operation costs.
• Lead the procurement and acquisition process for the design gallery's retail and limited-edition items, aligning with curatorial and commercial strategies.
• Present purchasing and inventory reports to procurement teams and maintain strong relationships with designers, studios, manufacturers, and suppliers at local and international levels.
• Manage purchase orders, pricing, and margin frameworks for design inventory, monitoring stock levels and sales to optimize replenishment strategies.
• Conduct artist and artwork research including availability, pricing, provenance, commissions, and exhibition history to support consultancy projects.
• Prepare materials for proposals, reports, and presentations to support the Director.
• Serve as a principal liaison for galleries, artists, clients, and architects on consultancy assignments and artwork handling on site.
• Ensure compliance with international best practices concerning collection care, customs regulations, and anti-money laundering documentation as required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventory records, delivering quarterly and annual reports on inventory statistics, movements, and risk management.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 8 years of experience working within commercial galleries, museums, or art logistics focused on collections and sourcing.
• Proven procurement and buying experience within museum or commercial gallery settings.
• In-depth expertise in international standards for artwork handling, documentation, shipping, and insurance.
• Familiarity with collections management software such as ArtLogic, Arternal, ArtBase, TMS, or counterparts.
• Strong understanding of commercial and market dynamics in both the art and design sectors.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex projects with precision and confidentiality.
• Degree or similar certification in Art History, Museum Studies, Fine Art, or closely related disciplines.

Key Competencies and Attributes

• Outstanding organizational and documentation capabilities.
• Effective negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail with a compliance and risk awareness focus.
• Excellent problem-solving aptitude.
• Discreetness, professionalism, and trustworthy handling of valuable works and confidential information.