Ko wai mātou - Who are we
Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu - New Plymouth District Council is a local government organisation located in the heart of New Plymouth. Our vision is to be the Sustainable Lifestyle Capital, and our district boasts a spectacular natural beauty from Taranaki Maunga to the moana. In 2021, we were awarded the most liveable city (for a population between 75,000 and 150,000) by the International Awards for Liveable Communities. We work collaboratively with iwi, Government, not-for-profits and businesses to achieve outcomes that benefit our community.

Te āheinga - The opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most important spaces for contemporary art in Aotearoa. Applicants for this role will have a compelling ambition for the future of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery-Len Lye Centre in accord with its purpose, and a vision for inspiring interconnected programs of exhibitions and events that foster the practices of contemporary artists, offer experiences for diverse audiences, and prioritise mana whenua. As a thought leader in contemporary arts and bringing demonstrable experience in leading a passionate team in a cultural organisation, you will ensure excellent collaborative outcomes working across teams, maintain positive relationships with stakeholders and supporters, and best practice collection care, conservation and access.

You will bring professional expertise and an up-to-date knowledge of contemporary art and ideas, and a track record of empowering leadership that will uphol the positive culture of the gallery's professional team. You will be responsive to the obligations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and continue to grow the relevance and relationships of the gallery with local iwi, hapū and whānau and Ngāmotu communities. As Director you will develop the external support for gallery operations. Exciting elements of this role are to help shape the Cultural Experiences team (the group of Puke Ariki Museum and Libraries with GBAG-LLC) direction, cement the Gallery's leadership in research, programming and community participation, welcome all audiences, and promote lifelong curiosity about the world we live in. If this is your future, we want to hear from you.

Tino takohanga - Key responsibilities
Reporting to the Cultural Experiences Director:
- Manage the day-to-day program operations of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery- Len Lye Centre according to the Cultural Experiences' purpose and strategy and Gallery's priorities and KPIs, ensuring that the programs, audience engagement and collection care is of high quality, relevant to communities of interest and engage a wide audience
- Manage the coordination and meaningful outcomes of the curatorial and registration and exhibitions team, and overall coordinatation with the CE Public Programs and Learning and Community Engagement teams
- Demonstrate leadership in research and production of your area of programming expertise
- Work with the CE Director and Cultural Experiences leaders to represent GBAG-LLC in the development of purpose, strategies and priorities and their implementation
- Be responsible for GBAG-LLC evaluation and accountability, including audience engagement and budgets, as part of the Cultural Experiences Group and regularly report to the Director
- Manage gallery fundraising, grant applications and in-kind and financial sponsorship for the program or collection
- Coordinating with the CE Director, represent the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery- Len Lye Centre with the Govett-Brewster Foundation, Len Lye Foundation and Govett-Brewster Friends, Advisory Groups and stakeholders
- Be responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day operations of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre
- Ensure compliance with national and international museum standards, and GBAG-LLC contractual relationships
- Ensure the Gallery operates with sustainable and effective process and use of resources, and complies with health and safety requirements
- Ensure a positive team culture and collaboration across Cultural Experiences, and maintain a positive culture in the gallery, supporting team members' well-being and professional development

Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako - Essential skills and experience:
- Significant experience leading a programming or related team in an art gallery or museum environment or related experience demonstrating excellent capability in the cultural sector
- Tertiary qualification in museum studies, art history, curatorship or relevant qualification
- Proven ability to lead a team and to motivate cohesive work across teams
- Demonstrated current knowledge of contemporary art and related ideas in Aotearoa and Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa, museum best practice, and experience in developing impactful programs
- Proven ability to project manage and problem-solve, and accountability with budgets
- High level of written and oral communication skills and understanding of their importance in teamwork
- Experience in grant writing, and maintaining excellent relationships with key stakeholders
- Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga and Te Reo.

He aha ai a Taranaki? - Why Taranaki?
With the stunning Mt Taranaki as a backdrop and the warm iron sands along our coast, it is no wonder Taranaki is one of the best regions in New Zealand and the world. In Taranaki it's easy to achieve an enviable lifestyle without having to compromise your career. Our regions'; dynamic surf, multitude of parks and gardens, iconic walkways, major events calendar and mountain playground make this the place to live!

Ōu mātou rourou - What we offer
At the New Plymouth District Council we aim to create and sustain a truly rewarding workplace environment for our staff including solid career pathways, learning and development opportunities as well as personal and professional development.

You can expect to start in this full-time role with us between $117,496 and $126,634.

If you think this sounds like you, then New Plymouth District Council would love to hear from you!

Applications close on Rāhina (Monday), 1 Hōngongoi (July) 2024.

APPLY ON THIS LINK

Image: Govett-Brewster / Len Lye Centre. Photo ny Patrick Reynolds