Collect Fair Director

Job Summary

As a commercial selling fair now in its 21st year, Crafts Council's Collect Fair Director plays a uniquely rewarding role in steering and overseeing the Fair, supporting a network of galleries, dealers and artists with a key annual selling opportunity in the international craft market.

Job Description

Collect Fair Director, Permanent. 1.0 (full time 36.25 hours) per week.

Salary- £62,424 gross per annum based on full-time working (pro rata for part time / annualised working).

Location- Crafts Council Office and Gallery based on the Pentonville Road in Islington, London, with some hybrid / home working.

Period of Role- Permanent or fixed term. To commence as soon as possible from March 2025 onwards.

Reporting to- Director of Finance and People.

About Collect and the Role

Presented by Crafts Council, 2025 sees the 21st edition of Collect (28 February - 02 March 2025, previews 26 & 27 February, Somerset House, London, UK). Collect is the leading international art fair for contemporary craft and design, representing the pinnacle of artistry and creativity. Collect presents collectors with the most exciting international living artists making contemporary craft and design today. 40 international galleries representing over 400 exceptional contemporary craft artists fill Somerset House. Approved by an external Advisory Panel, over 80% of the work has been made in the past five years with many newly commissioned pieces made especially for the fair.

The role of the Fair Director is uniquely rewarding in the international fair market. The incoming Fair Director will steer and oversee the success of Collect, working with the Collect team to grow and develop the fair ensuring it remains fresh and relevant and acts as an inspirational flagship event for the crafts community, supporting a network of galleries, dealers and artists with a key annual selling opportunity.

We are open to receiving applications from candidates wishing to fulfil this role on a full time, permanent basis and proposals of different approaches to delivering the role. This could include the potential for flexible annualised hours linked to the annual Collect Fair cycle and job shares. Proposed approaches can be shared in applications, and / or discussed during the interview process.

Job Requirements

Role Objectives

The postholder will:

• Lead on the forward strategy for Collect, working with the Senior Management team to consider scope to evolve the fair over a 3-to-5-year horizon.
• Be accountable for Collect, growing and securing income targets, cultivating and stewarding relationships with galleries & sponsors and increasing profitability.
• Be responsible for the Collect budget to deliver its financial targets after direct costs and payroll.
• Deliver Collect annually, overseeing the team, stewarding and managing key external relationships with galleries, venues, sponsors and supporters.
• Develop and deliver the marketing plan.
• Align Collect with wider Crafts Council objectives around diversity and inclusion.
• Champion emerging curatorial and creative talent from diverse communities; introducing new, pre-commercial or under-represented makers to the fair and securing support for Collect Open bursaries.

Job Responsibilities

Main Duties

• Steer and oversee the success of Collect, working with the Collect team to grow and develop the fair ensuring it remains fresh and relevant and acts as an inspirational flagship event for the crafts community.
• Work alongside the fair's Market Consultant to cultivate, secure & sustain relationships with key galleries and prospects.
• Steward key sponsorship & commercial relationships, leading on annual negotiations with key partners.
• Support the Collect Manager to deliver the fair and shape and manage the team, ensuring learning and development opportunities are identified and any issues addressed.
• Undertake a scoping exercise to review Collect's growth and development potential over the next 3-5 years.
• Ensure there is accurate and timely reporting across all areas.
• Keep abreast of opportunities and threats in the marketplace that may impact on commercial activities.
• Support team members to instil commercial acumen across activities.

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