Curator: Sanlam Art Collection

Sanlam; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 30 000 - 50 000; Full time

Job summary

A diversified financial services group in Bellville seeks a Curator to manage and strategically grow its corporate art collection. The ideal candidate will have over five years of experience in curatorial settings, with a strong background in art history and communication. Responsibilities include curating exhibitions, engaging stakeholders, and implementing innovative digital experiences. This role offers opportunity for personal and professional growth in a dynamic, inclusive environment.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and development

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in curatorial environments, preferably in a museum or gallery.
• Experience managing large-scale collections and exhibitions.
• Ability to engage audiences and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage, preserve, and grow the corporate art collection.
• Curate exhibitions and interpretive materials.
• Engage stakeholders through tours and workshops.
• Implement long-term strategies for the art collection.
• Explore digital platforms for exhibitions.

Skills

Art curation

Communication skills

Collection management

Exhibition design

Digital platform experience

Education

Postgraduate Qualification in Art History or related field

Tools

Digital archiving software

Job description

Who are we?

Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian stock exchanges. In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of the largest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 31 countries and has the biggest non-banking financial services footprint on the African continent.

The Group's five business clusters (Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz and Santam) house the Group's business operations. The Group Office provides strategic direction and support to the five clusters, assisting them in realising their strategies and meeting their business objectives. The Group Office is responsible for governance and for the Group's centralised functions, which include: Finance, Actuarial, Risk and Balance Sheet Management, Strategy, Human Capital, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

What will you do?

The Sanlam Art Collection consists of over 2200 artworks by South African artists dating from 1879 to the present. The collection is primarily housed at the Sanlam Head Office in Bellville. Art works are exhibited in the two galleries; the Sanlam Art Gallery at the Sanlam Head Office in Bellville and in the Sanlam Art Lounge at 11 Alice Lane, Sandton as well as in company office environments in various locations in South Africa.

This role exists in the Corporate Affairs and Sustainability division within the Sanlam Group, reporting to the Chief Transformation Officer. To manage, preserve, and strategically grow the organisation’s corporate art collection, ensuring it aligns with the company’s brand, values, and cultural objectives. The curator will enhance employee and visitor experience through thoughtful curation, storytelling, and engagement initiatives.

What will make you successful in this role?

Collection Management

• Maintain a comprehensive inventory and condition reports of all artworks
• Oversee conservation, restoration, packaging, shipping, framing, loans and insurance of the collection
• Manage acquisitions, loans, and deaccessions in line with corporate policies
• Complete regular updates of insurance values and liaise with insurance providers

Curation and Interpretation

• Curate exhibitions in the Sanlam Art Gallery and Sanlam Art Lounge, displays across corporate spaces (e.g., lobbies, boardrooms, campuses) and travelling exhibitions for suitable venues in South Africa
• Develop interpretive materials (labels, catalogues, digital content) to contextualize the collection
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align art displays with brand messaging and values

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with various divisions within the Sanlam group and businesses to integrate art into employee experience, wellness programmes and stakeholder events
• Organise tours, talks, and workshops to engage staff, visitors and various stakeholders
• Liaise with local and international artists, galleries and cultural institutions for collaborations and commissions

Strategic Planning and Reporting

• Develop and implement a long-term strategy for the Sanlam Art Collection, Sanlam Art Gallery and Sanlam Art Lounge
• Prepare budgets, acquisitions proposals, and annual reports
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and cultural standard

Innovation and Digital

• Explore digital platforms for virtual exhibitions and interactive experiences
• Use data and feedback to evaluate impact and engagement

Qualification and Experience

• Postgraduate Qualification in Art History, Fine Arts, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience within curatorial environment, preferably in a museum, gallery, or within a corporate setting
• Experience managing large-scale collections and public facing exhibitions
• Experience with digital platforms to showcase collections
• Experience with public engagements including lectures to professional and lay interest groups and conference presentations

Compentencies

• Art History and Theory
  • Deep understanding of South African artistic movements, styles and cultural significance
• Collection Management
  • Experience in cataloguing, conservation, provenance research, evaluating and handling of artworks
  • Digital image management and manipulation
• Exhibition Design
  • Skills in conceptualising exhibition content, spatial planning, lighting. Installation of art works and audience engagement
• Legal and Ethical Standards
  • Familiar with copyright, acquisition procedures and cultural sensitivity which conform to international acceptable best practices as published by International Council of Museums (ICOM)
• Communication Skills
  • The ability to write, speak and engage audiences on a diversity of levels, and in executive engagement
  • Ability to represent the art collection in person on a diversity of media and related communications platforms
• Digital tools
  • Proficiency in managing collection databases, digital archiving, and virtual exhibition platforms
  • Post and engage on social media platforms

Knowledge and Skills

Deal with and resolve ad-hoc complaints, enquiries and investigations Supervision of output of employees Process more complex transactions and assist juniors with complex transactions Good understanding of regulatory and statutory environment

Personal Attributes

Balances stakeholders - Contributing independently Decision quality - Contributing independently Directs work - Contributing independently Plans and aligns - Contributing independently

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Cultivates innovation - Contributing independently Customer focus - Contributing independently Drives results - Contributing independently Collaborates - Contributing independently Being resilient - Contributing independently

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.

The closing date for applications is 1 Febraury 2026.