Job Title
Collect Fair Director
Contract and Hours
Permanent. 1.0 (full time 36.25 hours) per week.*
A typical working day is 9.15-5.30pm, including a lunch break (unpaid). A minimum of three days per week are to be worked at Crafts Council office with the exception of during the build-up to and delivery of the fair when greater in person attendance in the office is required, with regular visits to Somerset House as needed. Full-time, in person attendance is required for the full tenancy of the live fair at Somerset House in Central London.
*Crafts Council aims to support flexible working and part time arrangements where it is appropriate for the role. 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.
Salary
£62,424 gross per annum based on full-time working (pro rata for part time / annualised working).
Location
Crafts Council Office and Gallery is 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.
Working with
- Collect Fair Manager (full time)
- Collect fair Coordinator (fixed term 6 months)
- Collect Market Consultant (freelance)
- Collect Marketing team and Collector Programme consultant (all freelance)
- Collect Head of Operations (freelance)
- Collect venue and other key stakeholders
- Wider Crafts Council team
About Collect
28 February - 02 March 2025 (previews 26 & 27 February)
Somerset House, London, UK
2025 sees the 21st edition of Collect. Presented by Crafts Council, 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 especially for the fair.
Read more here.
Follow @collectartfair on Instagram to keep up to date with news and views on Collect and contemporary craft.
"The Crafts Council’s flagship show is a honeypot for collectors eager to discover the next big thing or add that perfect new piece."
Design Anthology (2024)
Introduction to the Role
As a commercial selling fair delivered by a national charity, the role of the Fair Director is uniquely rewarding in the international fair market. Now in its 21st year, the fair plays a significant role in supporting the international craft market, supporting a network of galleries, dealers and artists with a key annual selling opportunity.
The fair attracts a high calibre of guests, acting as a key destination for institutions, collectors, interiors designers and enthusiasts to purchase works new to the market. In addition we have a committed set of sponsors and partners who benefit from its unique positioning and profile within the fair calendar.
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
- Developing and delivering the marketing plan
- Align Collect with wider Crafts Council objectives around diversity and inclusion
- To include championing 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