Open Call: Deputy Director

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, HAMPI ART LABS

Location: JSW Vidyanagar Campus, Karnataka

Domain: Contemporary Art & Culture

Reporting to: Founder , Creative Director and Director of Hampi Art Labs

Degree of Travel: Moderate to High

Working Days: 5 days, with occasional evenings and weekends during programmes and events

About the Role

The Deputy Director will be a key leadership position at Hampi Art Labs, responsible for

translating the institution's vision and strategy into effective programmes, systems and

partnerships.

Working closely with the Director, the Deputy Director will oversee the coordination of the

institution's programmes and operations, ensuring that artistic ambitions are supported by

strong organisational, financial and administrative systems.

The role requires an individual who can move comfortably between strategic thinking and day-

to-day execution, and who understands the complexities of working within a contemporary arts

institution. The Deputy Director will work across programming, residencies, partnerships,

finance, administration, communications, human resources and facilities, ensuring that the

different functions of Hampi Art Labs operate cohesively.

The role will also contribute to strengthening Hampi Art Labs' national and international

networks and institutional profile.

Key Responsibilities

1. Institutional Leadership & Strategy

• Work closely with the Director to implement the long-term vision, strategy and priorities

of Hampi Art Labs.

• Translate institutional objectives into annual plans, programmes, budgets and

measurable deliverables.

• Coordinate across departments to ensure alignment between artistic, operational and

institutional priorities.

• Identify organisational needs and develop systems that support the long-term growth

and sustainability of Hampi Art Labs.

• Support the Director in institutional planning, reviews and strategic decision-making.

• Prepare regular updates, reports and presentations for the Founders, leadership and

board of Advisors.

Programme & Residency Management

• Oversee the planning and implementation of the annual programme in collaboration

with the Director, Curator and Programme Manager.

• Coordinate the delivery of residencies, exhibitions, special projects, masterclasses,

workshops, talks, performances and other public programmes.

• Ensure that programme timelines, budgets, logistics and responsibilities are clearly

established and monitored.

• Work with the Curator and Residency Team to ensure artists and collaborators receive

appropriate support.

• Identify operational challenges early and develop solutions to ensure smooth

programme delivery.

• Support the development of new programme formats and institutional initiatives.

Operations & Institutional Systems

• Oversee the effective functioning of the Hampi Art Labs campus in coordination with the

JSW Foundation , JSW Mumbai teams.

• Establish clear systems for programme planning, procurement, contracts, travel,

accommodation, production and documentation.

• Coordinate with administration, finance, facilities, production and security teams.

• Ensure that institutional policies, procedures and documentation are maintained and

updated.

• Support the development of systems for risk management, health and safety and artist

welfare.

• Ensure that the infrastructure and facilities respond effectively to the requirements of

artists and programmes.

Financial Management

• Work closely with the Director and the finance team ( JSW Foundation and JSW

Mumbai) on annual and programme budgets.

• Monitor programme expenditure and ensure projects remain within approved budgets.

• Review project budgets, quotations, contracts and financial requirements.

• Track programme-related commitments and payments.

• Support financial reporting and provide regular budget updates to the Director.

• Develop efficient systems for financial planning and programme cost management.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with cultural institutions, foundations, museums,

galleries, universities, embassies, consulates, corporates and other stakeholders.

• Support the Director in developing strategic national and international partnerships.

• Identify opportunities for collaborations, exchanges, sponsorships, grants and

institutional partnerships.

• Coordinate communication and follow-up with partners throughout the lifecycle of

projects.

• Represent Hampi Art Labs at meetings, conferences, cultural events and professional

forums when required.

Team Leadership & Human Resources

• Provide leadership and coordination across programme and operational teams.

• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, workflows and reporting structures.

• Support recruitment, onboarding and professional development of staff and consultants.

• Conduct regular team reviews and identify areas requiring additional support or training.

• Encourage a collaborative, respectful and accountable working environment.

• Work with the Director on organisational structure and future staffing requirements.

Communications & Institutional Profile

• Work closely with the communications team to ensure consistent communication of

Hampi Art Labs' programmes and institutional activities.

• Coordinate with the social media team and on-site media and communications manager

for timely dissemination of information.

• Contribute to institutional presentations, reports, newsletters, proposals and public-

facing material.

• Support media, partner and institutional communications when required.

Artist & Stakeholder Experience

• Ensure that artists, curators, researchers and visiting practitioners have a well-organised

and supportive experience at Hampi Art Labs.

• Coordinate across teams to address practical and operational requirements of artists.

• Develop systems for feedback and programme evaluation.

• Support a culture of professionalism, respect and open communication across the

institution.

• Ensure that artist engagement is aligned with Hampi Art Labs' values and institutional

practices.

Institutional Networks & External Representation

• Build professional relationships across the Indian and international arts and cultural

ecosystem.

• Attend relevant conferences, exhibitions, festivals and professional gatherings.

• Identify opportunities that can strengthen Hampi Art Labs' institutional visibility and

networks.

• Represent Hampi Art Labs in external meetings and forums on behalf of the Director

when required.

• Facilitate connections between Hampi Art Labs and artists, curators, institutions and

cultural organisations.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Postgraduate degree in Arts Management, Cultural Management, Cultural Studies, Fine

Arts, Business Administration or a related discipline.

• 8–12 years of relevant experience in arts, culture, non-profit organisations, cultural

institutions or related sectors.

• Experience in institutional or programme management within the arts and cultural

sector.

• Demonstrated experience managing teams, budgets, partnerships and complex projects.

• Experience working with artists, cultural organisations, foundations, corporates or

government and diplomatic institutions.

• Strong understanding of the Indian arts and cultural ecosystem.

• Experience in international cultural collaboration would be an advantage.

Key Skills & Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and organisational skills.

• Strategic thinking combined with an ability to execute.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.

• Strong financial and administrative understanding.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

• Collaborative and empathetic approach to working with artists and teams.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of diverse artistic and social contexts.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.

• Willingness to work from a site-based institution and engage with the specific context of

Hampi.

Success in this role will be reflected in:

• Effective implementation of Hampi Art Labs' annual programme and institutional

priorities.

• Strong coordination between artistic, operational and administrative teams.

• Well-managed programme budgets, timelines and resources.

• Smooth and professional experience for artists, curators, partners and visitors.

• Strong and sustained relationships with institutional and external stakeholders.

• Clear organisational systems that support the growth of Hampi Art Labs.

• A collaborative, accountable and well-functioning institutional team.

Relationship with the Director and Curator

The Deputy Director works as a key institutional counterpart to the Director and Curator.

The Director provides overall institutional vision, leadership, strategic direction and external

representation.

The Curator leads the artistic and curatorial thinking, including artists, exhibitions, residencies,

research and public programmes.

The Deputy Director ensures that these ambitions are translated into effective planning,

partnerships, budgets, systems, teams and execution.

The three roles work collaboratively, with clear areas of responsibility, to build Hampi Art Labs

as a sustainable, artist-centred and internationally engaged cultural institution.