Head of Systems, Data and Technology

Lead the development of the digital future of British art research and join the Paul Mellon Centre as Head of Systems, Data and Technology to provide visionary transformation, developing systems and services to underpin a resilient, forward facing organisation.

The Paul Mellon Centre (PMC) supports the generation of ideas and promotes the sharing of knowledge about British art to create better understandings of the past, present and potential futures. They do this through grant making, programming events and activities, publishing, assembling resources for research and creating networks.

Technology has become increasingly important to all aspects of their work and to how people discover, access and experience PMC’s work. They are a small organisation of around 45 staff, but deliver a wide range of programmes and activities to a growing number of participants.

The Head of Systems, Data and Technology will advise the organisation on how digital technologies can assist PMC in meeting its strategic priorities: opening up studies in British art, putting research at the core of everything they do and creating and sustaining pathways into British art. A key organisational objective of their five-year strategy is to improve systems across the centre. This new post will be central to delivering this objective, ensuring that PMC’s policies, procedures and infrastructure enable organisational resilience for the future and improve systems and services for all users.

Who we are

Based in London and part of Yale University, PMC is a research centre and educational charity. We are a place for conversation and community, for questioning and discovery.

We support the generation of ideas and promote the sharing of knowledge about British art to foster better understanding of the past, present and potential futures. We do this through grant making, programming events and activities, publishing, assembling research resources and creating networks.

Paul Mellon, art collector and philanthropist, founded the centre in 1970. The PMC is part of Yale University and a partner to the Yale Centre for British Art.

About the role

The Paul Mellon Centre is seeking a visionary Head of Systems, Data and Technology to join their Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Reporting to the Director, they will architect a cohesive, integrated digital infrastructure that supports a global research ecosystem. This is a newly created, high-impact role accountable for delivering their five-year strategy to modernise systems, ensuring organisational resilience and technical excellence.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Head of Systems, Data and Technology will manage the Digital and Operations Leads, fostering a culture of digital literacy and innovation. They will also serve as a strategic liaison with colleagues at Yale University to share best practices and align their technological landscape with international standards.

The PMC’s strategic priorities include:

• Opening up: Expanding access to PMC and the field of British art.
• Research led: Ensuring research remains at the heart of our mission.
• Pathways: Creating and sustaining pathways into the British art sector.

This role will underpin the systems and process changes which will enable them to deliver on these aims.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a strategic leader to support us in developing our technology and systems to equip PMC for the future.

A key part of the role will be conducting a thorough audit of PMC’s current technological platforms, infrastructure and policies. The aim is to build a comprehensive understanding of the existing landscape and analyse it systematically to ensure that future systems are secure, efficient, aligned with institutional goals, and able to take advantage of modernisation opportunities. This auditing and review process should then be carried out on a regular, ongoing basis.

The post-holder will design and implement a future-focused IT strategy that aligns with PMC’s mission and supports its dual role as a research institution and philanthropic funder, ensuring scalability and adaptability to evolving needs.

This role requires:

• Proven seniority in strategic IT leadership and the architectural oversight of complex digital infrastructure.
• Demonstrable accountability for AI strategy, including the ethical implementation of emerging technologies and organisational readiness.
• Extensive experience in data governance, cybersecurity and risk management within a research or non profit context.
• A collaborative, inclusive management style capable of leading high performing digital and operations teams.
• Strategic acumen to translate institutional research goals into robust, scalable technical solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at the Board level and translate technical concepts for non specialists.

Closing date: 9 a.m. Friday 17th April.

To find out more and apply please click below.