Director

Shape the future of New Zealand’s leading art gallery as Director, driving vision, growth, and global advocacy for art and culture.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is a cultural leader in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Gallery is a cornerstone of Tāmaki Makaurau’s artistic life and fosters community engagement through exceptional art experiences. With multiple exhibition spaces in its award-winning building, the Gallery cares for more than 18,000 artworks, making it the largest visual arts experience in Aotearoa. Audiences are at the heart of its work, with 507,500 annual visitors and 7,500 members enjoying fresh ways to think about art and engage in creativity. The Gallery’s offerings include exhibitions and artist commissions, exhibition and collection services, public programmes, learning and outreach, retail and services for scholars, visitors, and the wider art community at home and abroad.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is now inviting applications for the Director role. This is a pivotal leadership position charged with oversight of the Gallery’s strategic planning, budgeting, and operational execution, ensuring continued growth in patronage, profile, and long-term sustainability. The role requires a leader who brings a deep and abiding passion for the visual arts, alongside an exceptional commercial acumen. Auckland Art Gallery is governed and managed by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), a council-controlled organisation of Auckland Council. The Director will sit on the Executive Leadership Team of TAU and will contribute their views and experiences to the wider group.

Relationship-building is central to the success of this role. The Director must cultivate strong, authentic connections with the Gallery’s donors and members. They must also ensure the Gallery’s meaningful collaboration with the Auckland Art Gallery Advisory Committee and Haerewa, the Gallery’s Māori Advisory Group.

A key responsibility of the Director is to lead with cultural sensitivity and uphold the mana of Māori and indigenous artists across all levels of the institution’s work. This includes meaningful advocacy and championing indigenous art both at home and abroad.

Role requirements:

• A tertiary qualification in art history, fine arts, museum studies, or a relevant arts and/or management discipline.
• Five to ten years’ experience in a similar senior management position within the art gallery or museum sector.
• In-depth knowledge of, and experience in, the visual arts sector, coupled with a strong commercial acumen.
• The natural ability to foster relationships at all levels of the institution.
• A strong connection to indigenous art.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is partnering with Kerridge & Partners on this appointment. To express interest in this opportunity or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact Elizabeth on elizabeth.gretton@kerridgepartners.com by September 28th.