Lead Art Handling Technician

Lead Art Handling Technician

Tate Gallery Closing date: Tue, 19 May 2026

Artform: Museums
Role: Technical & Production
Contract: Permanent
London
South West

Fri, 08 May 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

We are currently recruiting for a full-time Lead Art Handling Technician to support the delivery of Tate's programme and make sure that standards are maintained for object packing, handling, movement, documentation, storage and display.

Job Description

We are currently recruiting for a full-time Lead Art Handling Technician to support the delivery of Tate's programme and make sure that standards are maintained for object packing, handling, movement, documentation, storage and display. The successful applicant will lead on Health and Safety and training for the Art Handling team, based at Tate Stores (Southwark and Wiltshire) and across Tate's other sites.

You will have a high level of expertise in the handling, installation and care of a variety of complex artworks. The role also requires you to have the ability to work confidently and accurately under pressure.

We don't accept CVs, so please complete all sections of the form, including your education and work history. Use this space to share specific examples of what you've done and how you work.

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Our jobs are like our galleries, open to all.

Job Requirements

A high level of expertise and significant experience in the handing, installation and care of a variety of complex artworks in a gallery or museum environment.
Ability to identify training needs and lead formal and informal training sessions, including staff induction in departmental and interdepartmental procedures.
Demonstrable supervisory or people management experience with the ability to lead and motivate a team. Give advice and feed-back to team members and manage performance effectively, liaising with Human Resources as appropriate. Carry out the Performance Review (PR) process for direct reports.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively at all levels, to work collaboratively with colleagues across Tate and with external contacts.
A pragmatic approach to problem solving and the ability to work confidently and accurately under pressure, with a flexible and adaptable approach.

Job Responsibilities

To lead, manage and participate in Art Handling operations, individual exhibitions and other collection projects, and planning the day-to-day workload of a team of Technicians.
Ensure all technicians are inducted in departmental policies and procedures and have awareness of their task. Help champion the unite approach amongst all Tate sites.
Lead and provide art handling expertise as a member of selected projects from planning to completion.
Ability to problem solve and find technical solutions to installation problems and advise the Art Handling Manager and team on risks and achievable schedules.
Bring fresh thinking and encouraging new ways of working and a collaborative, multi-site approach, leading and supporting change in the team.
To lead on training needs for the Art Handling team across all London sites, and lead formal and informal training sessions on Art Handling techniques and procedures.

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Lead Art Handling Technician
  • Salary: £30k-£40k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Museums
  • Role: Technical & Production
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Closing date: Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Location:
    London
    South West

How to Apply

Our opportunities are open for you to apply online. Please visit: https://jobsearch.tate.org.uk/ to create an account by registering your details or, if you are an existing user, log into your account.

For all opportunities we ask candidates to complete an online application form for the vacancy they are interested in. If you need an application form in an alternative format please call us on 020 7887 4987. Once you have submitted your application you can keep track of its progress by logging into your account.

The closing date for the submission of completed application forms is Tuesday 19 May 2026 by midnight. Interviews will be held on the week commencing 8 June 2026.