Vacancies and Opportunities
Trustees
The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (PMC) is a research centre and educational charity based in Bedford Square, London. Since its inception, it has played a pivotal role in generating and supporting original, open, and creative thinking on British art - work that continues to shape the field both nationally and internationally.
Founded in 1970 by the visionary American art collector and philanthropist Paul Mellon, the Centre is sustained through an endowment gifted to Yale University. It stands as a key partner to the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, Connecticut, and is an integral part of Yale’s cultural heritage portfolio. Paul Mellon’s belief in the essential role of the arts and humanities in a democratic society, and his commitment to critical thought and imaginative inquiry, remain foundational to the Centre’s mission. This enduring vision continues to drive the PMC’s efforts to expand access to British art, both through its own initiatives and through the work it enables elsewhere, for the lasting benefit of society. The Centre is committed to opening up conversations about British art and culture in ways that are inclusive, ambitious, and inspiring.
PMC Work
- The PMC advances its mission through a multifaceted programme of activity, led by a director and senior leadership team, and supported by a dedicated staff of over forty professionals.
- It brings people together by organising, hosting and supporting a vibrant and wide-reaching programme of research events, gatherings and critical discussions
- It publishes books, an online journal, and an expansive suite of digital resources that continue to inform and evolve the discourse around British art
- It undertakes and supports both individual and collaborative research, and through its influential grants and fellowships programme, funds work that deepens and diversifies understandings of British art and visual culture
- It provides public access to its specialist archives and library, located in Bedford Square and available remotely, ensuring its resources benefit an ever-widening audience
- It delivers innovative teaching and learning initiatives, and fosters professional networks that build capacity, skills and community across generations of researchers and practitioners
- It is a specialist, multi-disciplinary team dedicated to sharing its expertise and collaborating with a wide range of partners to help define the present and future of British art studies
Role specification
Following a recent review of its governance structure, the PMC is seeking to appoint two new Trustees to join its Board. As all of the current Board of Trustees are employees of Yale University, the Centre is looking in particular for applicants with governance knowledge and experience of arts or higher education charitable organisations in the UK.
Time commitment: c. 6 - 8 days per year (3 - 4 Board meetings + ad-hoc engagement)
The appointed Trustees will play a vital role in overseeing the Paul Mellon Centre’s work and activities, ensuring that these are aligned with the organisation’s strategic mission, vision and values, and the legal requirements as stipulated by the Charity Commission and Companies House. The Centre is seeking Trustees with experience of UK charity governance, grant giving / philanthropic funding initiatives, human resources and people, and accessibility.
Responsibilities include:
- Strategic Oversight and Direction: Determining the overall strategic direction of the Paul Mellon Centre, ensuring alignment with its mission, vision and values. Work with the director and senior leadership team to approve and meet strategic goals and forward plan
- Governance and Legal Compliance: Ensuring compliance with charity law, including reporting to the Charity Commission, and maintaining high ethical standards, supervising the management of the Paul Mellon Centre by acting as guardians of the public interest
- Financial Oversight and Risk Management: Overseeing financial management, approving the annual budget, deciding on major resource commitments, and helping to identify and mitigate risks to the PMC’s reputation, financial and operational health
- Leadership and Support: Providing guidance and support to the director and senior leadership team, sharing knowledge and expertise
- Ambassadorship and Stakeholder Engagement: Representing the PMC, raising awareness of its charitable mission and engaging with stakeholders to promote its work
- Board Participation and Development: Attending Board meetings, contributing expertise, and ensuring that the Board is well-equipped with the skills and experience needed to support the Paul Mellon Centre’s mission and values
Person specification
The successful candidates will bring a combination of the following areas of expertise:
- Charity Governance: Experience of the governance of UK charities and knowledge of charity law
- Leadership Experience: Ability to lead strategic work at board level and an understanding of working internationally, particularly the UK-US context of the operational and governance relationship between the PMC and Yale
- Strategic Insights: Strong leadership and a deep appreciation of the strategic role private actors can play in the global landscape, with a nuanced understanding of current international contexts
- Financial Acumen: Proven ability to provide strategic oversight of financial frameworks, ideally including the unique challenges faced by charities and not-for-profit organisations
- Risk Management: Knowledge of risk management, working across the multiple strands of activity engaged with by the PMC
- People and Culture: Understanding of the operational needs of the multiple strands of PMC activity and the development of the Centre’s team and knowledge of human resources and people, accessibility, and EDI work, particularly within a charitable or not-for-profit context
- Commitment to Mission: A belief in the charity's objectives to support the study and appreciation of British art and a willingness both act as an ambassador for The Paul Mellon Centre in the public arena
- Communication Skills: Strong communication skills and the ability to contribute to Board-level discussion and wider policy and strategy development, developing excellent relationships with fellow Trustees, PMC staff and external stakeholders
Board composition
You can read more about the governance at PMC here.
Diversity
Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Terms of appointment
This role requires attendance at two to three Board meetings (held in New Haven and London, with the option of virtual attendance) and active participation in sub-committees, as needed. Trustees are expected to serve for at least a four-year term, with the option to extend for two additional two-year terms, at the discretion of the President of Yale University.
This is a voluntary role. Trustees are not remunerated for their time but are reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.
Process
These appointments are being managed by Nurole. Once the application window has closed on the Nurole platform, their team of experts carefully assess your application against the criteria outlined in the role specification. They will select a group of the most suitable candidates to present to the PMC. They will always get in touch to let you know the outcome of your application.
As the PMC will view the applications without edits, they advise applicants to avoid using ‘see CV’ or ‘please call me to discuss further’ in your application as it may restrict your chances of progressing to the next round.
To read more about what to expect from the Nurole process, click here.
Take a look at Nurole guides on how to submit a strong application here.
Connected parties
Note: please do not contact the PMC directly about this role. Instead, if you know someone at the organisation, please mention it in your Reason for Application. Nurole members who do not respect this may risk having their membership terminated.
Appointment process
The appointment of new Trustees will follow a structured process designed to ensure transparency and alignment with the Centre’s mission and values. Interviews are expected to take place in early September 2025. Final appointments will be confirmed by the Board at its meeting in November 2025. Further details regarding the interview schedule and selection procedures will be shared in due course with those invited to participate.
Role timetable
Deadline for applications: Midnight on 8 July 2025
Candidates can expect to be contacted by: 22 July 2025