The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance. The V&A’s Collections Division comprises six curatorial, research, and conservation and collections care & access teams. The staff in these teams are at the heart of the founding purpose of the museum: to care for, research and develop the collections, to exhibit them to the public, to make them available for study and research, and to broaden access to the collections.

The Senior Curator, Paintings and Drawings will take leadership responsibility for the development, care of, documentation and research, presentation, and interpretation of the V&A's collection of paintings and drawings (which include four national collections – Portrait Miniatures, John Constable, British Watercolours, and Pastels).

Contemporary drawing is the main focus of current collecting and the Senior Curator, Paintings and Drawings will lead on this too. As such, they will be expected to represent the museum at the highest level and play an active role in the field of paintings studies and collecting, nationally and internationally.

The post holder will also make a significant contribution to the wider work of the V&A, contributing to policy, projects and public programmes, supporting fundraising and income generation, and supporting the Keeper in the running of the department, including by creating a positive environment, supporting change, line managing 3 staff and sharing knowledge, expertise and best practice with a wider group of Curators and Assistant Curators to help them develop and perform.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 19 September 2021 at 23.59.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on 30 September and 1 October 2021.