Director People's Palace Projects

Queen Mary University of London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in London is seeking a dynamic Director for People's Palace Projects, focusing on addressing social and environmental injustices through the arts. The Director will provide strategic direction, lead senior management in a not-for-profit organization, and engage in international participatory art-based research projects. The role offers a competitive salary, pension, and generous leave entitlements, promoting flexible working arrangements to enhance work-life balance.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

30 days' leave per annum

Flexible working arrangements

Personal and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent professional experience with a focus on arts, research, and community engagement.
• Proven leadership experience in participatory art-based research.
• Ability to translate research into impact within a not-for-profit organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and vision for People's Palace Projects.
• Lead senior management and raise grant funding for international projects.
• Shape strategic vision to ensure ongoing local, national and global impact.

Skills

Leadership in arts

Community engagement

Participatory arts practices

Grant funding

Education

PhD or equivalent experience

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic Director to lead People's Palace Projects (PPP), a research centre using the arts to address social and environmental injustices in the UK, Brazil and beyond. Based in the School of the Arts at Queen Mary University of London, PPP brings together artists, activists, academics and audiences. As Director, you will shape PPP's strategic vision and ensure its continued local, national and global impact.

Responsibilities

As Director, you will provide strategic direction and vision, lead senior management in a UK not-for-profit organisation, translate research into impact, and raise grant funding for and lead international participatory art-based research projects. You will hold a PhD or equivalent professional experience and have proven leadership experience in the arts, research and community engagement sectors.

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD, or equivalent professional experience, with proven leadership experience in the arts, research and community engagement sectors.
• Have strong expertise in participatory arts practices and experience of raising grant funding for, and leading, international participatory art-based research projects.
• Have the ability to provide strategic direction and vision, and experience of senior management in a UK not-for-profit organisation and of translating research into impact.

Benefits & Conditions

The post is based at the Mile End Campus in London. It is full time (35 hours per week), permanent appointment, with an expected start date of 1st April 2026. The starting salary will be Grade 7, in the range of £64,331 - £71,834 per annum (pro‑rata), inclusive of London Allowance. We offer competitive salaries, a generous pension scheme, 30 days' leave per annum (pro‑rata for part‑time/fixed‑term), a season ticket loan scheme, and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. We also provide work‑life balance and family‑friendly inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Application

Queen Mary University of London is committed to diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly, including job share arrangements. We particularly welcome applications from female applicants, persons with a disability and those from an ethnic minority, as they are under‑represented within Queen Mary at these levels.

Statement of Equality

Queen Mary's commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and under‑represented groups, in line with UK equality law.