Head of Learning and Participation

WALLACE COLLECTION; City Of London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious cultural institution in London seeks a Head of Learning and Participation to lead innovative learning programmes and increase audience engagement. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cultural learning and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Responsibilities include managing a team, developing learning strategies, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies. The successful applicant will help shape the future of learning at the museum, contributing to a significant Masterplan.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in cultural sector learning programmes.
• Knowledge of cultural learning strategies and best practices.
• Experience in managing professional staff and fostering inclusivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of learning programmes to diversify audiences.
• Manage relationships with freelance practitioners and partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with policies and safeguard vulnerable groups.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Program management

Budgeting

Relationship building

Education

Degree in Art History, Fine Art or related field

Job description

Head of Learning and Participation

The Head of Learning and Participation leads the strategic development of creative and inclusive learning programmes to enable participation and diversify audiences. This includes universal, targeted and revenue-generating programmes onsite, online and in the community. They play a key role in driving the Collection's commitment to accessibility and EDI; this includes and is not limited to implementing programmes for people who have additional needs, who are underrepresented in museum audiences or who may otherwise not have engaged with the Collection's mainstream learning programmes before. They also chair the Collection's EDI Working Group.

The Head of Learning and Participation will have line management responsibilities for six Learning Producer/Coordinator staff roles and a small team of Learning Assistants. They also manage the Collection's relationship with a large pool of freelance practitioners and volunteers.

As a member of the Heads of Department leadership team at the museum, the Head of Learning has input into strategic museum decisions, particularly in regard to audience engagement. A productive and open relationship with the Collection's other departments is vital.

The Wallace Collection is embarking on a transformative Masterplan to future‑prove Hertford House (Grade II listed) and deepen engagement with its exceptional collections, stories and visitor experience. Since the 2000 Centenary Project, visitor numbers have doubled, putting pressure on facilities and infrastructure. At the heart of the Masterplan is how The Wallace Collection can best meet the needs and expectations of both the current and future visitors and learning programme participants to achieve the Collection's strategic priority to broaden and deepen visitor engagement. A major bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund is being developed and this position will play a critical role in supporting the development of the application and creation of the activity plan to shape the Collection's future learning and engagement activities.

This role reports to the Director of Collections and Research.

General

• To lead and inspire Learning Department staff to achieve their objectives and ensure the Collection meets its wider strategic goals and audience development targets.
• To create and implement the Collection's strategy for learning engagement onsite, online and in the community, enabling the widest participation and diversifying the Collection's audience, consistent with the values of the EDI Working Group chaired by the postholder.
• Be directly responsible for the successful programming and delivery of the Collection's public events for adults, including free and revenue‑based programming onsite and online.
• Be directly responsible for the delivery of targeted programmes and projects that help fulfil the Collection's commitment to EDI; this includes and is not limited to implementing programmes for adults who are under‑represented in museum audiences or who may otherwise not have engaged with the Collection's mainstream learning programmes before.
• Contribute to exhibition development in terms of accessibility and maximise opportunities provided by the Collection's exhibitions to enrich the Department's programming and maximise revenue‑based activities.
• Ensure the Collection builds strong informal learning networks and partnerships to develop and enhance programme content, and to build participation in the public programme.
• Ensure learning staff work collaboratively with other departments to ensure the successful delivery of cross‑departmental projects and wider organisational aims.
• Undertake the role of Safeguarding Lead for the Collection, helping to ensure that the safety of children and adults at risk is paramount.
• Ensure the Department's proactive compliance with the Collection's policies, including carrying out risk assessments and producing Method Statements.
• Profile, set and effectively manage the Department's expenditure and income budgets, devolving responsibility for expenditure and budget tracking where feasible.
• Support the Development Department in making funding applications to underpin the Department's work, managing the delivery of KPIs and ensuring funder reporting is completed as required.
• Support the development of the application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (and other funding bids) for the Masterplan including the future activity plan incorporating activities at Hertford House, regionally and online.
• Undertake other duties as reasonably directed by the Collection; be flexible with availability outside normal working hours.

Essential

• Substantial experience of devising, leading and managing learning and engagement programmes in the cultural sector, preferably in a public museum or art collection.
• Experience of leading and delivering effective cultural learning strategies in support of audience development goals, with demonstrable knowledge of relevant learning pedagogy and best practice.
• Extensive experience of programming and overseeing the delivery of free and revenue‑generating learning programmes for adults, both online and in person.
• Experience of working effectively with subject specialists and freelance educators, artists and writers to produce creative and ambitious learning programmes.
• Experience of managing a range of professional staff, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills; have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively through direct delivery of learning content.
• Possess strong time management skills with an ability to plan effectively and manage competing priorities successfully.
• Hold a broad network of contacts outside of the organisation to draw upon for programming and partnerships.
• Experience of setting budgets and managing and reporting on financial operations.

Desirable

• A degree in Art History, Fine Art or a field related to the Wallace Collection is desirable but not essential; equivalent work experience is relevant.
• Experience working on a successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (and other funders) for a major project is desirable but not essential.

How to Apply

Please complete the Application Form, and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, following the links provided on our website. Please note the equal opportunities form is used for monitoring purposes only and does not form part of the selection process. Both forms should be emailed by midnight 14/12/2025. Please note late applications or applications via a CV will not be considered.

Interviews for the role will take place on, 06/01/2026. Candidates who have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted after the closing date. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it will not be possible to contact or give feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted for interview.

Start date: As soon as possible

Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory Basic Disclosure check. The Wallace Collection is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.