Programme Manager: Decorative Metiers d’Art

The King's Foundation; Cumnock; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The King’s Foundation at Dumfries House Estate, East Ayrshire, invites applications for a Programme Manager to lead the Decorative Metiers d’Art postgraduate training. You will oversee workshops, mentor learners, and coordinate industry partners to deliver a studio-based curriculum.

The role requires leadership, project management, and travel within the UK (occasional Geneva). This full-time post runs for a 3-year fixed term, emphasizing craftsmanship and professional development.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in jewellery design / manufacturing / silversmithing / applied arts, or a related subject, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of the education and training landscape including FE/HE routes into jewellery careers.
• Proven project management skills overseeing multiple creative projects and staff or freelance teams.
• Interest in the luxury jewellery and watch sector; professional network in jewellery/silversmithing industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead on planning, delivery and coordination of timetabled workshops, studio activities and exhibitions.
• Deliver high-quality tuition in enamel work and other craft techniques for a luxury standard.
• Recruitment, pastoral care and post-course progression processes.
• Write programme reports and develop risk assessments and budgets.
• Collaborate with partners to develop new content and drive industry engagement.
• Ensure a safe, inspiring learning environment and manage materials and resources.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Curriculum delivery

Enamelling

Industry networks

Education

Degree in jewellery design/manufacturing/silversmithing/applied arts

Job description

The King’s Foundation is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Programme Manager to lead an exciting new addition to our suit of craft programmes - Decorative Metiers d’Art is a fully funded, postgraduate level training, developed in partnership with Cartier.

Based at the Dumfries House Estate in East Ayrshire, this immersive programme will prepare recent graduates to enter the workplace with high level skills, industry insight and/or elevate the skills of an early career jeweller, or decorative watchmaker.

The post holder will take an operational role in the development and delivery of an industry-led, studio-based curriculum. They will lead workshops, teaching specialist techniques with a specific focus on enamelling. The Programme Manager will take an active role in leading the cohort successfully through the programme.

Working alongside a small team of visiting tutors and industry experts, the Programme Manager will ensure exceptional technical training, the fostering of excellence and professionalism whilst embedding high level skills within the cohort’s practice.

The Programme Manager will support a small cohort of 6 learners from diverse backgrounds to develop professional-level technical ability, creative confidence, and industry awareness, ensuring the programme reflects best practice in the jewellery and decorative arts sector. They will also contribute to planning, curriculum development, and industry engagement, to ensure the programme remains relevant, innovative, and impactful.

Key Tasks

Specific Duties will include:

• Deliver high-quality technical tuition in specialist craftmanship including enamel work, along with additional development in creative artisanal processes.
• Support students in developing confidence with industrial equipment and decorative watch making to a luxury standard.
• Embed broader learning themes such as sustainable practice, working with the principles of harmony, and preserving craft heritage through traditional techniques, delivered through tutorials, critiques, and peer-led reviews that promote collaborative and reflective learning.
• Guide and mentor students during self-directed sessions, helping them develop time management, self-evaluation, and the ability to meet programme expectations, while assisting in preparations for guest tutor visits, project briefs, and final project outcomes.
• Contribute to the planning, delivery, and coordination of timetabled workshops, studio activities and exhibitions.
• Ensure all workshop activity aligns with the ethos of The King’s Foundation and the values craftsmanship, and excellence.
• Manage partners and representatives to support the development of new content and delivery.
• Maintain a safe and inspiring learning environment and ensure all necessary materials, tools and resources are well managed.
• Lead on recruitment, pastoral care and post course progression processes.
• Administration tasks include writing programme reports, collating data in line with reporting requirements and developing appropriate risk assessments.
• Plan and adhere to the annual budget for tutors and resources.

Person Specification

The essential skills, knowledge and experience required are:

• Degree-level qualification in jewellery design / manufacturing / silversmithing / applied arts, or a related subject, or equivalent, up-to-date industry experience in the jewellery sector with an understanding of enamel techniques and processes.
• Strong knowledge of the education and training landscape, including, Further/Higher Education, and alternative pathways into jewellery careers.
• Proven project management skills, with experience overseeing multiple creative projects, delivering educational or apprenticeship programmes, and managing staff or freelance teams.
• An interest in the luxury jewellery and watch sector.
• Established and maintain a professional network within the jewellery / silversmithing industries.
• Understanding of and support for the ethos and principles underlying The King’s Foundation and Harmony Education.
• Ability to perform under pressure, adapt to shifting priorities, and consistently deliver high quality outcomes.
• Requirement to travel within the UK, and occasionally abroad (Geneva)
• Confident, innovative leader with excellent organisational skills and the ability to work independently.

Other:

• The post will be based at Dumfries House, Cumnock, KA18 2NJ with the requirement to travel on occasion.
• Your working hours will be 37.5 hours per week (full time)or a minimum of 3 days per week parttime (which will include occasional evening and weekend working as required to meet the needs of the centre).
• 3-year fixed-term contract from July 2026 to May 2029.
• You must have the legal right to work in the UK.
• This post is considered to be a regulated activity therefore any offer will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure check with the Disclosure Scotland.