Chief Operating Officer
The National Portrait Gallery is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to join its Executive Leadership Team in London. This newly created leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the future of one of the world's leading cultural institutions, overseeing operations, people, technology, estates and audience experience as the Gallery delivers its next phase of strategic growth following its landmark redevelopment.
About the role
Reporting directly to the Director, the Chief Operating Officer will become a key member of the newly established Executive Leadership Team, working alongside the Chief Curator, Chief Development Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
The successful candidate will help ensure the Gallery operates as a connected, high-performing organisation while leading the next stage of organisational transformation. The role combines strategic leadership with operational delivery, bringing together people, technology, estates, communications and visitor experience to support the Gallery's long-term ambitions.
The National Portrait Gallery recently completed its £44 million Inspiring People redevelopment and is now focused on expanding audiences, strengthening financial resilience and enhancing its digital and operational capabilities. The COO will play a central role in delivering these priorities.
Key responsibilities
- Lead operational strategy across estates, facilities, security and capital projects
- Oversee technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity and data strategy
- Provide leadership for People & Culture, Information Technology, Estates and the Audiences Directorate
- Drive organisational planning, governance, compliance and business continuity
- Improve visitor experience and audience engagement
- Lead communications and digital engagement strategies
- Champion organisational effectiveness and continuous improvement
- Work closely with the Director and Executive Leadership Team to deliver the Gallery's ten-year strategy
- Strengthen collaboration across departments while building a high-performing organisational culture
About you
The ideal candidate will bring substantial executive leadership experience within a complex organisation and demonstrate success leading large-scale transformation programmes.
You'll likely have experience in:
- Delivering organisational transformation and operational change
- Leading technology and digital innovation
- Managing significant estates or infrastructure programmes
- Financial planning and investment prioritisation
- Building inclusive, collaborative organisational cultures
- Working effectively with Boards, Trustees and senior stakeholders
- Translating long-term strategy into measurable operational delivery
Strong communication skills, commercial awareness and a collaborative leadership style will be essential.
About The National Portrait Gallery
Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery houses the world's largest collection dedicated to portraiture. Through paintings, photography, sculpture and other media, it tells the story of Britain through the people who have shaped its history and culture.
Following its major redevelopment and reopening in 2023, the Gallery welcomes almost two million visitors each year and continues to expand its collections, exhibitions, learning programmes and digital engagement while increasing accessibility and representation across its work.
