Workshop Manager (Fixed-Term)

UCL; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

UCL's Slade School of Fine Art is seeking a Workshop Manager for a fixed-term role to oversee the workshop. The position involves technical instruction, team management, and ensuring compliance with safety standards, offering a dynamic environment for students and researchers.

Qualifications

• Experience in a technical role at an art school.
• Line management experience in a workshop environment.
• Specialist knowledge of woodwork, ceramics, and casting processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Slade workshop and lead a team of technicians.
• Provide technical instruction and ensure a safe environment.
• Respond to feedback from staff and students to improve the workshop.

Skills

Workshop management

Technical instruction

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

About us

The Slade School of Fine Art is an art school where staff and students approach contemporary art practice, and the history and theories that inform it through experimentation, imagination and research-oriented practice.

In 2025, the Slade is launching a new BA Art and Technology programme, which is an interdisciplinary degree focused on the interconnections between art practice and a range of new and disruptive technologies. It will also open a new studio space at UCL East to support students, academic staff and researchers to explore the intersection of art, technology and society through critical enquiry and studio practice.

About the role

Please note: This is a fixed-term role for approximately 11 months to provide cover for maternity leave.

We are recruiting for a Workshop Manager (fixed-term) who will be responsible for managing the Slade workshop and team of technicians and participate in its day-to-day running. The job is ‘hands on’ and the postholder will provide technical instruction, supervision and will work day-to-day in the workshop as part of the team.

The postholder will continue with ongoing improvements monitoring and reviewing the workshop’s safety arrangements. Through their management of the workshop the role holder will provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for our students and researchers. The successful candidate will lead on providing a high standard of support to all workshop users, taking timely action on staff and student feedback. They will provide technical instruction and ensure students are equipped with skills and confidence to use the Slade Workshop.

This is a full-time role which equates to 36.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday), working on-site

Please note: Due to the time critical nature of this role, you must already have right to work in the UK and need to be eligible to start work from 1^st September 2025.

About you

Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

The successful candidate will have experience working in a technical role at an art school or similar, delivering inductions, technical workshops and working with students (individually and in groups). They must have experience of line management, supervising a technical resource and health and safety management in a workshop environment, ensuring compliance and maintaining currency in regulatory requirements. Extensive specialist knowledge on a broad range of workshop processes, with particular emphasis on woodwork, ceramics and casting, and experience of reviewing operational arrangements, strategic planning and report writing are essential.

Skills and Abilities:

The candidate will have the ability to effectively manage workshop operations whilst organising a complex workload. They must also possess the ability to line manage staff effectively and make best use of experience, specialist knowledge and skills within the workshop team. The candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively, while responding sensitively to the needs of staff and students, and display excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

How To Apply

Please apply on the UCL Jobsite where you will find the job description and further guidance.

What We Offer

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

Customer advert reference: B03-02509