Exhibition & Research & Co-creation Officer

Sunderland City Council; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking an Exhibitions, Research and Co‑creation Officer to help support the redevelopment of the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. This role involves working closely with the Exhibition Manager on gallery preparations and fostering community partnerships. Ideal candidates will have experience in exhibition design and a strong focus on research and collaboration. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting redevelopment project in the heart of Sunderland.

Qualifications

• Experience in exhibition design and curation.
• Strong research skills focused on community engagement.
• Ability to collaborate with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support the interpretation and exhibition plan.
• Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare gallery spaces for new displays.

Job description

Exhibitions, Research and Co‑creation Officer

Come and be part of our exciting journey! Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is embarking on an ambitious £13.6 m redevelopment of its much-loved museum at the heart of the city.

With £5.2 m secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), this transformative project will deliver major changes to the museum’s ground floor, including:

• A new front entrance from Mowbray Park
• Two new collection galleries featuring revitalised displays and interpretation
• Welcoming social spaces for visitors
• A vibrant community engagement hub, The Growing Space

All of this will be supported by a four‑year activity plan packed with exciting events and initiatives designed to reach deep into our communities.

Role Overview

Led by the Senior Manager – Museum Redevelopment and supported by the museum senior team within the wider Cultural Service, we are now recruiting an Exhibitions, Research and Co‑creation Officer.

This officer will support the delivery of the interpretation and exhibition plan, embedding strong principles of research, dynamic collecting and co‑creation to shape content and design for the new galleries and spaces within the redeveloped Museum and Winter Gardens. The postholder will work closely with, and under the guidance of, the Exhibition Manager to ensure gallery spaces are fully prepared for the installation of new collection displays, interpretation, stories and wayfinding.

Research and co‑creation are central to this role, requiring the postholder to collaborate effectively with community partners, stakeholders and groups, fostering care, comfort and creativity across a range of curatorial practices.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Applications must be completed online at northeastjobs.org.uk/sunderlandcitycouncil. Please see the full Job Description and Person Specification for further information.

Note: CVs are not acceptable as an initial application.