Curator

Job title: Curator- Art on the Underground
Salary: £41,000
Grade: Band 2
Contract type: TfL
Reference: 4217
Team: Cust Insight Strategy and Experience
Contract details: FTC /13 months Matt cover
Location: Palestra/Hybrid

Application closing date: 15th May 2026 @ 23:59

Interviews will be scheduled for w/c 11th June 2026.

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right‑to‑work checks.  Candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.  At the present time TfL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.   

Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.  

Overview of the Role

Art on the Underground commissions world‑class contemporary artists to create ambitious projects across London’s Underground network, seen by millions of people every day. The programme includes permanent artworks, temporary commissions and live performances, placing contemporary art at the heart of public space.

Since its inception, Art on the Underground has presented commissions by UK-based and international artists including Heather Phillipson, Hastings & Quinlan, Claudette Johnson, and Larry Achiampong, allowing the programme to remain at the forefront of contemporary debate on how art can shape public space.

We are seeking a Curator (Maternity Cover) to join this specialist team on a fixed‑term contract of up to 13 months. The Curator will lead the delivery of major art commissions, working closely with artists, producers and internal TfL teams to deliver high‑quality, engaging projects that reflect London’s cultural diversity and align with TfL and Mayoral priorities.

This is an opportunity to work on an internationally recognised visual arts programme in a fast‑paced, high‑profile environment.

Key Accountabilities

• Oversee the development and delivery of contemporary art commissions across the TfL network
• Lead the day‑to‑day management of major artwork projects, ensuring objectives are delivered on time and to a high standard
• Collaborate closely with the Art on the Underground team, Visual Art Producer and wider TfL stakeholders
• Plan and deliver events, launches and engagement activities for customers, Londoners and TfL staff
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Art on the Underground programme
• Propose and initiate new commissions and creative activity in line with TfL strategy and Mayoral policy
• Manage internal and external communications to maximise engagement and impact
• Monitor project risks, progress and delivery throughout project lifecycles
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with artists, cultural partners and internal teams

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience working in contemporary visual arts or cultural programming
• Experience working directly with artists and creative practitioners
• Strong knowledge of contemporary art practice and the London art scene
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment
• Strong planning, organisation and time‑management skills
• Collaborative approach and ability to build effective working relationships
• Passion for public art, inclusion and audience engagement

Desirable

• Experience delivering art or cultural projects in public spaces
• Experience working within large or complex organisations
• Understanding of customer experience and public engagement strategies
• Experience contributing to engagement or learning programmes
• Familiarity with project reporting, risk management or evaluation

Application Process    

• Please apply using your CV only 

• Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV 

• PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images 

Equality, diversity and inclusion 

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs to make the process fair. 
  
Benefits  

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below: 
 

• Final salary pension scheme  
• Free travel for you on the TfL network  
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home 
• 29/30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays 
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow 
• Private healthcare discounted scheme Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme 
  Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
• Discounted Eurostar travel 

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice. 

Vetting Process 

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/our-vetting-process) explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.