Visual Arts Events & Relationships Manager

Visual Arts Events & Relationships Manager

Barbican Closing date: Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Artform: Events
Role: Creative
Contract: Contract
London

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 "> published -

Job Description

The Barbican is a multidisciplinary international arts centre in the City of London.
Across its theatres, concert halls, cinemas, galleries, business venues, public and community spaces, the Barbican showcases the most exciting artists and performers from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways.

Barbican Visual Arts produces major exhibitions, solo artist commissions and a public events programme encompassing contemporary and modern art, fashion, design, architecture, performance, film, and photography. We also collaborate with international partners on an exhibition partnership programme. We are committed to delivering a diverse programme that is international, inclusive, and explores pivotal issues and themes of the day while rethinking a received art history.

We are looking for an Events & Relationships Manager to manage our Visual Arts events programme and to work with the Head of Visual Arts and curators on stakeholder management.

About the Role

The Visual Arts Events & Relationships (E&R) Manager will be responsible for leading on the development and management of Visual Arts events including private views, receptions and dinners, as well as developing and supporting other internal and external Visual Arts events when required.

Reporting to the Deputy Head of Visual Arts, they will work closely with the Head of Visual Arts and curators on event strategy and relationship management with key stakeholders, including facilitating VIP visits and acting as a point of contact for key patrons and friends.

Job Requirements

Extensive experience of coordinating and managing private view and dinner events in the visual arts sector, ranging from small scale to complex
Strong project management skills
Experience of high-level relationship management (including artists, gallerists, lenders and funders)
Experience of supervising and coordinating event staff
Experience of researching and securing event venues and locations
Proven experience of managing contact databases and working with IT teams to identify technical solutions/improvements where needed
Experience of working with departmental budgets, raising purchase orders, managing invoice payments and expenses in line with Procurement rules and requirements
Experience of learning new systems and processes

Job Responsibilities

To lead on the development and management of Visual Arts opening events (special previews, private views and dinners)
To plan and oversee event logistics in liaison with internal and external stakeholders to ensure their safe and smooth delivery, including developing and maintaining event schedules and acting as key link with teams including Curatorial, Communications, Development, Centre Management, External Affairs and Front of House
Event planning including developing, researching and maintaining mailing lists, making recommendations on guests/stakeholder groups, researching key guest profiles, and ensuring information relating to VIP guests is communicated
To manage the invitation process for events, including creating electronic invitation campaigns and other event communications such as pre-visit information emails, and managing and reporting on RSVPs
To manage use of event management platform Zkipster, the Barbican Centre event/space booking system Artifax and the contacts

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Visual Arts Events & Relationships Manager
  • Salary: £30k-£40k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Events
  • Role: Creative
  • Contract: Contract
  • Closing date: Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Location:
    London

How to Apply

To apply, please click on ‘Apply Now’ or visit the City of London jobs page.

Your supporting statement should be no more than 750 words and clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification, using specific examples.

If you have any questions or issues with the application process, please contact the Barbican Careers team at careers@

Deadline is 23:55 on Tuesday 14th April 2026

Interviews on 29 and 30 April 2026/ Potential Start Date – 6th July 2026
Please note that we are unable to accept late applications. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback on your application.

The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation – and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors.