The multi-million pound V&A Museum project in Dundee has taken a major step forward.
Design Dundee Limited (DDL), which through its key national and local partnership is spearheading the £45 million waterfront development, has advertised for a director.
The successful applicant will be responsible for leading the venture and report to the chairman and board of the DDL. The new post marks an important milestone for the V&A which only last week received a £4.8 million investment from the Scottish Government.
This welcome cash injection freed the DDL to appoint its own staff and progress with crucial fund-raising activities.
Project leader for the V&A at Dundee, Graham McKee, welcomed the latest move.
“This is another major development for the project,” said Mr McKee. “The director will be the first person appointed to a full-time position within the project and someone who will be key to future success.
“We will search in the UK and internationally for the right person. The funding package announced by the Scottish Government last week by culture minister Fiona Hyslop has allowed us to take this step forward.
“The project up to this point has largely relied on staff from within the partners Dundee University, Abertay University, Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the V&A who have worked well together to get to this point.
“Staff input from partners will continue to be made but it is important that the V&A Dundee also move to appoint its own dedicated staff.”DutiesThe director will take responsibility for operational and financial management. They will also work with the board to develop the strategy and policies for the museum as well as build relationships with stakeholders, funders, partners and the public.
Last year an iconic design, created by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, was selected from around 120 entries to house the new V&A.
The building was this week praised by First Minister Alex Salmond who viewed a model of the structure at the Scottish Parliament. In an exclusive interview with The Courier, Mr Salmond said the museum would be a “world league” cultural attraction providing tremendous benefits to the local economy.
The museum is scheduled to be completed by 2014 but the first signs of its construction may not be seen for another two years. Around 50 full-time positions are expected to be created when it opens, with around 300 spin-off jobs in the service sector.