Job vacancies

We present an ambitious programme of major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art, alongside innovative displays drawn from Wakefield’s growing art collection. Central to our work is our learning programme that engages schools, families, adults and local community groups through inspiring creative learning opportunities. In 2019, we opened The Hepworth Wakefield Garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, to complement our David Chipperfield-designed gallery and provide an inspiring public garden, free for all to enjoy.

We have recently been joined by neighbours Tileyard North, who have developed the 19th century mill complex opposite the gallery into a vibrant hub for the creative industries. We are now embarking upon two capital projects to complete our wider waterfront site, including returning our much-loved playground and creating a workshop and yard space for our Gardener and her team of volunteers.

We are committed to improving diversity within our organisation and we welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented within the arts sector. Our inclusive recruitment practices include:

• Ensuring our jobs are widely advertised to reach a diverse range of applicants
• Using an anonymised application process for shortlisting where possible
• Applying positive action where legal and appropriate
• Actively monitoring the diversity of our applicants
• Ensuring our job descriptions are inclusive
• Ensuring shortlisting and interview panels are as diverse as possible
• Staff training

The Hepworth Wakefield is a Disability Confident Employer and any applicants who identify as disabled and meet the minimum criteria will be offered an interview. If you would like to declare you have a disability in order for this to be taken into consideration during shortlisting, or you require any reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process, please contact Georgie Booth on georginabooth@hepworthwakefield.org.

The Hepworth Wakefield is proud to confirm we are a Living Wage Employer, certified by the Living Wage Foundation.

Benefits for contracted staff include:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 28 days after 3 years of service
• Hybrid working for appropriate roles
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption entitlements
• Enhanced sick pay entitlements
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health
• Free eye tests
• Group Pension Plan, including an employer contribution up to 6%
• Discount in The Hepworth shop and café
• Discounted travel schemes
• Discounted gym membership
• Free entry to a variety of national and international museums and galleries

Our mission is to create experiences that inspire, captivate, surprise and enhance everyone’s lives. Our team is bold, open and we embrace quality and innovation and we value all our staff and their commitment to driving our success. Read our Vision, Mission and Values here. If you would like to join our highly motivated team please see our current vacancies below.

Director & CEO 

£90,000 – £100,000 per annum

Permanent

Full-time – 37 hours per week

Hybrid working options available, however there is an expectation to be onsite a minimum of three days per week

Candidates must live, or be willing to relocate, within a reasonable distance of The Hepworth Wakefield. Relocation assistance may be agreed, depending on the circumstances.

The Hepworth Wakefield is seeking an experienced, inspirational and entrepreneurial leader to guide the gallery into its next chapter. Reporting to the Chair of the Trust Board, the Director & CEO will set the strategic vision, drive financial sustainability, and champion artistic excellence, community engagement, and commercial growth.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership – develop and implement the gallery’s vision, ensuring sustainability, innovation and compliance, while maximising the potential of its collection and site.
• Team Leadership – lead and inspire the Executive Team and wider staff, fostering a dynamic, inclusive and collaborative working culture with a strong focus on professional development.
• Stakeholder Management & Advocacy – build and nurture relationships with funders, partners and cultural leaders at local, national and international levels, acting as a compelling advocate for the gallery.
• Fundraising – drive ambitious fundraising strategies, cultivating relationships with trusts, foundations, donors and corporate partners to secure long-term support.
• Collection & Exhibitions – support the exhibitions programme and acquisitions strategy, promoting Barbara Hepworth’s legacy and strengthening the gallery’s reputation for artistic excellence.
• Financial Management – oversee robust financial planning and performance, working closely with the Board and Director of Finance & Operations to align budgets with strategic goals.
• Community Engagement – ensure the gallery remains rooted in its locality, championing learning and engagement programmes that broaden participation and strengthen community impact.
• Communications, Marketing & Digital – guide brand development, digital strategy and audience growth, expanding the gallery’s reach and supporting data-driven decision-making.
• Commercial Development – lead the commercial strategy, ensuring innovation and entrepreneurial approaches generate income while staying true to the gallery’s cultural mission.

Requirements:

• Senior leadership experience in a cultural or arts organisation
• Strong curatorial expertise in modern and contemporary art
• Track record in strategic planning, fundraising and stakeholder engagement
• Excellent communication, advocacy and networking skills
• Proven ability to inspire, motivate and lead diverse teams
• Entrepreneurial vision to diversify and grow income streams
• Commitment to inclusivity, community engagement and the public value of the arts

We are committed to improving diversity within our organisation, and welcome applications from candidates who are under-represented within the arts sector.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CV and a compelling cover letter merged into a single PDF document to ANTONIA JOSTEN: jobs@antoniajosten.com

Deadline for applications is Monday 20 October 2025

Head of Learning (Maternity Cover)

£38,000 per annum pro rata

Fixed-term, expected to last 12 months

Part-time – 30 hours per week across four days

Hybrid working options available

Inspiring creativity and providing opportunities for people of all ages to be creative has been at the heart of our mission since The Hepworth Wakefield was established. Our award-winning learning programme is devised in response to local need and is regularly reviewed in consultation with diverse groups to ensure our activities and engagement tools are inclusive for all. We work closely with Wakefield Council to respond to their strategic priorities to raise aspirations, achievement and wellbeing in the District. Through our impactful school projects we support teachers to encourage creative thinking across the curriculum and demonstrate the transformative impact of sustained work over several years.

We are looking for a Head of Learning to cover a period of maternity leave. They will provide strategic leadership to the Learning Team and ensure the delivery of an ambitious, effective, deliverable and financially sustainable programme to engage a range of diverse audiences and help increase public participation. They will also oversee the development of our 2026 & 2027 learning programme content, devised to enhance how people experience, engage with and learn from the art we exhibit, ensuring our offer is inclusive, audience focused and embedded within our local communities.

For more information about the role please see the job description Head of Learning JD (Mat Cover)

For details on how to apply, please see below.

Deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 27 October 2025

Interviews will take place on Monday 10 November 2025

Sous Chef 

£25,570 per annum pro rata

Permanent

Hours negotiable – minimum of 32 hours / up to 37 hours per week on varying days including weekends

Sociable working hours – usual café operation is 10am – 5pm (4pm during winter) with occasional evenings & late nights

Since bringing our café in house 4 years ago, we’ve seen year on year growth, as the gallery has driven increased visitor numbers to the site and our impressive menu converts more of those visitors to our customers. We’re anticipating more growth in the years ahead, which is why we’re looking to expand our team so that we can continue to be ambitious and maintain the highest levels of quality food and drink offer, service and guest experience.

As well as being a key feature of any visit to The Hepworth Wakefield, our café is a destination in its own right, with people travelling for miles to enjoy our seasonal and sustainable menu that champions local suppliers, attend our catered public and private events and be part of our sell-out supper clubs.

The Sous Chef role is crucial to our success, working closely with the Head Chef to support the kitchen operations and food service within The Hepworth Wakefield Café and taking responsibility for the preparation and service of a variety of dishes during service, occasional evenings and catered events to the highest standard.

If you take pride in preparing and serving lunch focused dishes, providing a smooth-running service, contributing your creative ideas to continually improve our offer, and if you are motivated to contribute to a vital income stream to fund the gallery’s work, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information about the role please see the job description Sous Chef JD

For details on how to apply, please see below.

Deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 13 October 2025

Interviews will be held week commencing 22 & 23 October 2025

Kitchen Porter

£12.60 per hour

Permanent

8 hours per week including Saturday and Sunday

Since bringing our café in house 4 years ago, we’ve seen year on year growth, as the gallery has driven increased visitor numbers to the site and our impressive menu converts more of those visitors to our customers.

The Kitchen Porter plays a crucial role in the team, responsible for washing crockery & equipment, accepting & storing deliveries, general kitchen cleaning duties and basic food preparation – all of which is essential for us to provide an exceptional service for our customers. If you enjoy carrying out a variety of tasks, working as part of a dynamic team in a busy environment and are motivated to contribute to a vital income stream to fund the gallery’s work, we’d love to hear from you.

As well as being a key feature of any visit to The Hepworth Wakefield, our café is a destination in its own right, with people travelling for miles to enjoy our seasonal and sustainable menu that champions local suppliers, attend our catered public and private events and be part of our sell-out supper clubs.

For more information about the role please see the job description Kitchen Porter JD

For details on how to apply, please see below.

Deadline for applications is 9am on Friday 3 October 2025

Interviews will be held week commencing 16 & 17 October 2025

Casual Catering Assistant

£12.60 per hour

Hours offered as and when available

Since bringing our café in house 4 years ago, we’ve seen year on year growth, as the gallery has driven increased visitor numbers to the site and our impressive menu converts more of those visitors to our customers.

We’re anticipating more growth in the years ahead, which is why we’re looking to expand our team of casuals to bolster our numbers during busy periods and maintain the highest levels of service and guest experience. If you take pride in serving up high quality food and drink, enjoy providing a memorable customer experience and are motivated to be contribute to a vital income stream to fund the gallery’s work, we’d love to hear from you.

As well as being a key feature of any visit to The Hepworth Wakefield, our café is a destination in its own right, with people travelling for miles to enjoy our seasonal and sustainable menu that champions local suppliers, attend our catered public and private events and be part of our sell-out supper clubs.

For more information about the role please see the job description Casual Catering Assistant JD

For details on how to apply, please see below.

Deadline for applications 9am on Friday 3 October 2025

Interviews will be held week commencing 16 & 17 October 2025