Art Gallery Manager

Role overview

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver exhibitions, art fairs, and special projects, including Art Dubai, Art Abu Dhabi, international fairs, and private projects.
• Oversee installation and de-installation with artists, technicians, fabricators, contractors, and external vendors.
• Manage art shipping, transportation, logistics, customs clearance, insurance, and artwork condition reporting.
• Coordinate timelines, production schedules, and technical requirements with artists, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain operational plans, schedules, deliverables, budgets, cost estimates, expenditure reports, and financial trackers.
• Manage multiple projects against deadlines, budgets, and quality standards; negotiate with suppliers and service providers.
• Ensure art-handling, conservation, installation, and logistical compliance; coordinate safe preparation, packing, transport, and installation of artworks.
• Monitor progress, resolve operational challenges, coordinate stakeholders, and keep them informed of changes and requirements.
• Maintain project plans, shipping and customs records, insurance details, condition reports, vendor quotations, and invoices.
• Conduct site visits and supervise on-site operations; support senior leadership with exhibition planning, operational strategy, and gallery initiatives.

Required qualifications and skills

• At least 5–8 years of relevant experience in gallery operations, art logistics, exhibition management, art fair coordination, or art project management.
• Proven experience managing exhibitions, art fairs, installations, and complex art projects from planning through completion.
• Strong knowledge of artwork handling, packing, transportation, international shipping, customs clearance, and insurance procedures.
• Experience coordinating with artists, galleries, collectors, museums, cultural institutions, fabricators, and logistics providers.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and operational requirements.
• Experience preparing project budgets, cost estimates, expenditure reports, and vendor quotations.
• Strong understanding of exhibition production, installation and de-installation, technical requirements, and conservation standards.
• Strong organization, planning, scheduling, coordination, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and project management or scheduling tools.
• Fluent written and spoken English; additional languages are advantageous.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel locally and internationally as required.
• A related bachelor’s degree is preferred, including Arts Management, Arts Administration, Project Management, or Business Administration.

Location and mobility

• The role is based in Dubai, UAE and requires local and international travel as needed.
• Site visits and on-site supervision are part of the work.

Allowances and benefits

• Allowances and benefits are provided according to company policy and UAE labour law.