Careers at the RA
Where could your talent take you?
Careers at the RA
Like any leading organisation, we know how important it is to value the people who do the hard work day in, day out.
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Working here
It is the dedicated and talented people behind the scenes who help make what we do possible. You might be surprised by the variety and scope of the opportunities here at the RA. From art handlers to fundraisers, event managers to accountants, we are a diverse group of people committed to delivering the highest standards to our visitors.
We offer a number of unique benefits including free entry to exhibitions across London, discounts in our shops and cafés, exclusive after hours family and friends events in the galleries, free life drawing classes, a staff gallery and much more.
Working here is to be part of a very special community and we pride ourselves on making sure our staff feel valued.
We host some of the world’s most celebrated exhibitions, are home to Britain’s first art school, and have big plans for the future. Come and be a part of our story.
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Video
What's it like working at the RA?
Watch our video to find out more.
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Current vacancies
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Temporary IT Support Officer - fixed-term contract to 31 July 2015
We now have a rare and exciting opportunity to join our Operations Department as an IT Support Officer. Providing support to 300 users, the successful candidate will have at least 2 years’ experience of working in a helpdesk/desktop environment, and a comprehensive knowledge of: Cisco switches and networking; Windows 7 workstations; server 2008 and exchange server 2010 configuration and maintenance; troubleshooting network issues; TCP/IP, Active Directory Administration and supporting Cisco Call Manager 9.x onwards. Previous experience of Apple Mac OS and SQL Server administration installation and configuration is essential.
Candidates who meet our criteria will be invited to interview and must be able to start work immediately.
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Project Manager, Masterplan
Our Masterplan will redevelop our 2.5 acre site in Mayfair, uniting our two buildings, Burlington House and Burlington Gardens. This is one of the most exciting and aspirational projects in the cultural sector, and envisioned by Sir David Chipperfield RA.
The Masterplan project team is responsible for the delivery of this ambitious programme of works and an unrivalled opportunity has arisen for an exceptional individual to join the team as its internal Project Manager. Assigned to the capital building project, and working with some of the UK’s leading Royal Academician architects and best in class heritage contractors and consultants, you will assist the Project Director in co-ordinating activities leading to the successful implementation of the project. A relevant professional qualification and prior industry experience of delivering large-scale capital projects in a complex, culture-driven environment are essential.
Candidates who meet our criteria will be invited to interview immediately.
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Senior Financial Accountant
We are looking for a qualified accountant to join the Finance Department as the “number two” in the Accounting Services team (currently a team of 12), which provides transaction processing services and oversees the control and compliance activities for the RA. You will be a recently qualified accountant, perhaps looking for a first move out of practice, with strong technical skills. An audit background is desirable, as a major part of this role is supporting the statutory accounts reporting process and wider compliance activities at the RA. Experience of charity SORP accounting is highly desirable.
You will be an advanced user of Excel and ideally will have had exposure to Sun Accounts (Vision/Executive) and i-POS.
You will be well organised, with excellent attention for detail and possess strong analytical skills. The ability to advise non-specialist colleagues on complex technical financial matters, build rapport and establish collegiate professional working relationships are all key to this role.
Candidates who would like to be considered should send their CV and cover letter to recruitment@royalacademy.org.uk. We will meet candidates meeting our criteria on an ongoing basis.
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Learning Department Administrator
An exciting opportunity has now arisen for a vibrant and versatile individual to assist our Learning Department in the delivery of an innovative programme of events, and to provide administrative support to the whole team, ensuring the smooth running of the Learning office. This role will suit a strong and experienced administrator with well-honed organisational skills, exceptional attention to detail and the ability to prioritise effectively.
Highly computer literate, supremely well-organised and a team player, you will be structured and methodical in your approach whilst remaining flexible to meet the varied tasks, priorities and deadlines required by the Learning team.
Closing date for applications: 05 March 2015 Interviews to be held w/c: 16 March 2015
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Stay in touch
Keep up to date with all our latest vacancies, work experience and a look at what it’s like to work at the Royal Academy of Arts.
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How to apply
What to do next
If you are interested in any of our vacancies and feel you meet the criteria, send your completed application form, with the job title clearly stated in the subject line, to: recruitment@royalacademy.org.uk
If you haven’t been contacted by us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
If you are offered the position, you will be required to provide official documentation to confirm your right to work in the UK and details of two referees.
We strive to ensure that opportunities at the RA are open to all. We treat all job applications equally - regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.
Unfortunately we cannot accept speculative applications.
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Other opportunities
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Community Art Project Volunteers
The Royal Academy of Arts will be running a series of activities designed to encourage people to learn about and engage with its history and collections. The first activity is a fantastic interpretative community art project, planned to take place in the Spring. We are looking for two passionate and outgoing volunteers to support both the freelance artist and the project participants.
This project will run from March – October 2015, we are looking for volunteers who are able to commit for the duration. For further details about the role, and to apply, please download the role information and Expression of Interest form via the links below.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 1st March 2015 Informal interviews: Wednesday 11th or Friday (am only) 13th March 2015.
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Work Placement, Marketing Department
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic university student with a passion for the visual arts to join us on a two-week work placement.
The marketing team, part of the wider Public Engagement department, creates marketing campaigns to support the activities of the Academy. Our activities include audience insight, CRM, advertising, collateral creation, promotions and grassroots marketing. We are keen to offer a student the opportunity to work across several areas of the marketing team.
We are pleased to offer this placement during the Easter Break, over the period of Monday 30 March – Friday 17 April. For further details about the placement, and to apply, please download the placement information and application form via the links below.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 8 March 2015 Interviews week commencing: 16 March 2015
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Development Department Work Placement
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic university student with a passion for the visual arts to join us on a two-week work placement.
The development team is responsible for generating over 50% of the RA’s operating income through exhibition sponsorship, corporate, Friends and Patrons Membership and fundraising events. We are keen to offer a student the opportunity to work across several areas of the development team.
We are pleased to offer this placement during the Easter Break, over the period of Monday 30 March – Friday 17 April. For further details about the placement, and to apply, please download the placement information and application form via the links below.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 8 March 2015 Interviews week commencing: 16 March 2015
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Internships & apprenticeships
From time to time we offer internships and apprenticeships and when we do, they will be advertised here. If you are interested in a student internship at the RA as a requirement of your course, please get in touch via internships@royalacademy.org.uk
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Reaching your potential
Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about allowing staff to grow and fulfil their potential. Recent initiatives include:
Inspiring Managers
A year-long programme for all managers covering a range of topics from leading a team to managing budgets and projects.Inspiring Employees
Monthly lunch and learn sessions open to all, featuring guest speakers such as Harvard Business Review award winner and London Business School professor, Rob Goffee.Training for individuals or teams
From British Sign Language to ACCA financial certification to History of Art evening classes at the Sotheby’s Institute to public speaking, we help staff to acquire and hone the skills they need to reach their potential.![]()
Lunch & Learn lecture, Why should anyone be led by you? with London Business School’s Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Rob Goffee.
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