Director of Operations

Location: London

Salary: £120,000

The Royal Academy of Arts is seeking an exceptional Director of Operations to join its Senior Leadership Team during a period of significant opportunity and transformation.

Reporting to the Secretary and Chief Executive, the role oversees Estates, People, IT, Procurement and Sustainability, providing strategic leadership across the Academy's operational functions. Responsible for driving organisational effectiveness, major capital projects and operational transformation, the Director of Operations will help ensure the Academy remains resilient, sustainable and well-positioned for the future.

Working across a diverse range of stakeholders, the successful candidate will bring clarity, pace and operational discipline, translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. They will also play a key role in strengthening organisational confidence and supporting teams through change.

This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact within one of the world's leading cultural institutions and help shape its future success.

About You

You will be an accomplished operational leader with experience gained at executive or board level within a complex organisation and a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams delivering organisational objectives. Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, you will combine strong judgement with a practical and pragmatic approach to leadership.

You will bring experience across diverse portfolio including areas such as estates, facilities management, technology, procurement, security and people services, together with a strong understanding of governance, risk, business continuity and organisational performance. Experience leading major capital projects, organisational change and operational transformation initiatives is essential, along with the ability to establish credibility quickly, navigate complexity and bring clarity and structure to evolving environments.

Credible, collaborative and influential, you will build strong relationships across the organisation, fostering high-performing teams and a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and operational excellence. You will be adept at influencing senior stakeholders, driving alignment across complex organisations and delivering both cultural and operational change.

Resilient, adaptable and organisationally astute, you will be comfortable working through ambiguity and competing priorities, translating strategic ambition into effective delivery while creating an environment in which people feel heard, valued and empowered to contribute.

The Company

The RA dates way back to 1768 when a group of artists and architects persuaded King George III to help them establish a society for promoting the Art of Design. The original Academy, in Pall Mall, was less than ten metres long. Since then, there have been many changes, though the RA's purpose of bringing art and design to a broad audience and championing art and artists remains at the heart of everything we do.

Today, the Royal Academy is a leading contemporary arts institution, hosting internationally acclaimed exhibitions, supporting the work of artists and architects, and providing education through the renowned RA Schools. As an independent charity, we are committed to creating an inspiring and inclusive environment for visitors, students, Academicians and staff alike.

Through investment in training and development, employee networks and initiatives that promote inclusion and wellbeing, we continue to foster a workplace where people feel heard, valued and supported. Our people are at the centre of our success, and our teams encompass a diverse range of disciplines including exhibitions, collections, learning, visitor experience, commercial operations, digital, fundraising and corporate services.

The Royal Academy is a truly unique place to work: a historic institution with a contemporary outlook, dedicated to supporting creativity, culture and artistic excellence for generations to come.

The Royal Academy of Arts is being supported on this appointment by the search consultancy MRG. To arrange an initial confidential conversation, please contact our retained advisors: Sian Gardiner and Michael Hewlett.

Applications should be sent to Sian Gardiner and should consist of a comprehensive CV and supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 15th November 2026

Royal Academy of Arts

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Director of Operations