Assistant Production Manager
Salary £ 30,600 (pro rata 24,800)
OX1 1BP
Vacancy listed 14/01/2026
Application deadline 08/02/2026
Details
Modern Art Oxford is one of the UK’s leading contemporary art spaces with an international reputation for innovation and ambition. The gallery presents a programme of changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art each year, coupled with an extensive programme of education, events and performance projects involving several thousand people of all ages and backgrounds. 

This post is a vital part of the Programme Team. Reporting to the Production Manager, this role is responsible for a range of practical and production focused activities and objectives relating to realising the exhibitions and live programme to deadline and in budget.

The successful candidate will be a proactive and positive member of the Exhibitions team, attending quarterly programme meetings, weekly production meetings and other meetings as required. In addition to supporting the Exhibitions and Communities, Practice and Participation teams, they will assist the Commercial team with event support, the packaging of limited editions for the shop and the installation of commercial displays. They will also be required to assist the Production Manager and Head of Operations with building maintenance and have key holder responsibilities. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Support the Production Manager and Curators in the efficient design, planning and delivery of the exhibition programme.
Research production and material costs for artwork fabrication and exhibition displays to help develop exhibition budgets.

  • Produce 3D digital layouts for exhibitions in Sketch-Up. 
  • Support with the design and fabrication of commissioned artworks and exhibition displays, using both in-house resources and external fabricators. 
  • Order materials and equipment in good time to ensure best value. 
  • Work with the Production Manager in drafting exhibition installation plans.
  • Liaise with freelance technicians to plan availability and confirm schedules.
  • Work with the Production Manager to produce accurate and timely health and safety and risk assessment plans.
  • Support the financial administration of exhibitions by ensuring all budgets and finance reports are accurately maintained.
  • Be a proactive and positive member of the Exhibitions and CPP team by attending quarterly programme meetings, weekly production meetings and other meetings as required.
  • Liaise with the Exhibitions, CPP and Commercial teams to support programme delivery and forward planning.

Support the Production Manager to oversee the installation of exhibitions. 

Assist the Production Manager with installing exhibitions. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: supporting artists to fabricate new artworks, packing, unpacking and handling artworks, liaising with external manufacturers and suppliers, designing and building exhibition furniture and vitrines. 
  • Be on-site at all times during installation hours.
  • Deputise for the Production Manager when required, including directly overseeing areas of exhibition installation when necessary. 
  • Manage installation schedules and ensure technicians remain on time and schedule. 
  • Monitor any minor changes in expenditure during installation and report to the Production Manager and Curator.
  • Liaise with supporting museum couriers on-site during installation.

Support the Production Manager and Curators in the efficient planning and delivery of the live programme.

Research, manage and deliver the audio-visual requirements for live events, including setting up equipment, overseeing AV during evening events and managing take-down after events. 
  • Research production and material costs for AV requirements for events to help develop live programme budgets, liaising with external suppliers when required. 
  • Manage and maintain in-house AV equipment on an ongoing basis. 

Maintain the high quality of the workshop and galleries.

  • Implement clear systems to ensure the workshop is tidy and in safe working order at all times, including during installation and interim periods between production of shows.
  • Maintain stock levels of regularly used materials.
  • Ensure workshop equipment is properly and regularly maintained.
  • Carry out weekly walkthroughs of galleries to ensure exhibition displays are maintained, all artworks are in good condition, and AV equipment is fully functional.
  • Maintain the COSHH register and cabinets.
  • Ensure recording ladders are maintained.
  • Ensure the temperature and humidity in the galleries are maintained, monitored and recorded.

Building Maintenance

Support the Production Manager and Head of Facilities & Visitor Experience with building maintenance and upkeep of the fabric of the building, undertaking key holder responsibilities, liaising with external contractors and overseeing recycling


Person Specification:

Essential

  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Good IT skills.
  • Strong Organisation skills
    Good knowledge of AV and sound installation.
  • Excellent time management. 
  • Excellent communication skills.  
  • Ability to see through projects from concept to delivery. 
  • Positive approach to collaboration and team working.
  • Efficient approach to working with effective use of resources.
  • Good knowledge of artwork fabrication and exhibition displays.
  • Basic carpentry skills. 
  • Experience installing, packing and handling 2D and 3D artworks.

Desirable
  • Budget Management. 
  • 3D software (Sketch-Up).
  • Knowledge of metalwork.
  • Basic knowledge of electrics.
  • Experience of working with artists.
  • Interest in contemporary art.
  • Experience of risk management.
  • Experience of managing others.

Benefits
Pension
An auto-enrolment pension scheme is in place with Legal & General. Under pension auto enrolment legislation, the employee will pay 5% (before tax relief) and the employer will pay 3% of qualifying earnings to the Legal and General plan.

Holiday 25 days annual leave plus eight public bank holidays (Pro-rata).

Staff discount in Cafe and shop

Attached documents
Title File
Job Description PDF _Job_Description_Assistant_Production_Manager.docx_(1).pdf
Job description Word _Job_Description_Assistant_Production_Manager_(1).docx
apply