Visual Arts Manager (Built Environment)

Job overview

rb&hArts delivers a wide‑ranging arts and health programme across Royal Brompton Hospital, Harefield Hospital and the Heart, Lung and Critical Care Clinical Group within Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

The programme uses charitable funds to enhance the hospital environment, improve patient and staff wellbeing, and support community health through creative engagement.

Our work is guided by three strategic aims:

• Enhancing the Healing Environment through visual arts, including temporary exhibitions, site‑specific commissions and development of the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity’s permanent art collection.
• Improving the Patient Experience through creative opportunities for inpatients and outpatients, including participatory arts and performance.
• Supporting Health Outcomes by delivering community‑based creative health initiatives that promote wellbeing.

We are pleased to be recruiting a Visual Arts Manager to join the team.

The Visual Arts Manager (Built Environment) plays a key role in delivering rb&hArts’ strategic aims by managing the visual arts programme within the built environment. This includes capital projects, site‑specific commissions, and stewardship of the RBH Charity’s permanent art collection (c. 2,000 works).

Main duties of the job

The post holder leads on integrating art and design into clinical and non‑clinical spaces, working closely with Estates, Capital Projects, clinical teams, contractors and artists. The role requires strong project management skills, excellent communication, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

This is a cross‑site role requiring regular on‑site presence at Royal Brompton Hospital and regular travel to Harefield Hospital. Some evening or weekend work may be required, with time off in lieu.

The post holder works alongside the Visual Arts Manager (Exhibitions and Engagement) and the Arts Officer, and is line‑managed by the Head of Arts.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Creative Project Management

• Lead and manage the built environment arts programme, including capital works, refurbishments, and site‑specific installations.
• Work with Estates, Capital Projects and clinical teams to integrate art into clinical and non‑clinical areas.
• Oversee projects from concept to completion, including planning, implementation, installation, evaluation and documentation.
• Recruit, brief and manage artists and creative practitioners.
• Ensure commissions align with Trust values, patient needs and standards for safety, infection control and accessibility.
• Work with colleagues in the arts team and patient experience team to ensure patients’ voices are represented in new commissions through consultation, focus groups and/ or co-creation models.

Permanent Art Collection

• Manage the RBH Charity’s permanent art collection of approximately 2,000 works.
• Oversee installation, maintenance, conservation and rotation of artworks across both hospital sites.
• Maintain accurate inventory records, including donations, loans, purchases and commissions.
• Ensure artworks are appropriately insured and documented.
• Maintain interpretation and signage for the works in the collection

Communication

• Contribute to the development and delivery of rb&hArts’ communications strategy.
• Support content creation for newsletters, social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and internal communications.
• Promote engagement with the arts programme among patients, staff and the wider community.

Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate records on all art projects, including documenting process and end results
• Work with colleagues in the arts team to gather patient and staff evaluation and feedback on the art projects you manage

People Management

• Manage short‑ and long‑term contractors, including artists, designers, performers, writers, fabricators and volunteers.
• Provide guidance, supervision and support to ensure high‑quality delivery.

Funding and Finance

• Maintain accurate income and expenditure records for project budgets.
• Work with the Head of Arts and Charity team to identify funding opportunities and contribute to fundraising bids.
• Support the development of new fundraising opportunities