Gallery Operations Assistant & Technician

Established in 1976, Parnell Gallery is one of New Zealand’s longest standing dealer galleries, representing and exhibiting a diverse range of established contemporary New Zealand painters, sculptors, and printmakers.

We are seeking a highly motivated and organised individual to join our close-knit and friendly team as a Gallery Operations Assistant & Technician.

This is a hands-on role central to the physical and curatorial presentation of artworks, ensuring all works are handled, displayed, and presented to the highest standard. The role sits at the heart of the gallery’s visual identity, artist relationships, and client experience.

Handling and installing artworks is a specialised, physically active part of the role. We are looking for someone with a strong combination of practical skills, creative awareness, and attention to detail to join our high-performing team.  This role would suit someone with prior experience in a gallery, creative studio, or related trade – someone equally comfortable with a drill in hand and confidently chatting with artists.

As a client-facing gallery, we work in a busy environment where priorities can shift quickly and there are often multiple moving parts in a single day. While the role is predominantly behind the scenes, it also includes outward-facing interactions with artists and clients, so we are looking for someone who is personable, adaptable, and calm under pressure.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about art who wants to contribute to a thriving contemporary art community, working closely with the team and our talented artists.

Key responsibilities include:

·       Assisting with the curation, hanging, and visual presentation of exhibitions and stock works throughout the gallery

·       Managing and maintaining the stockroom – ensuring careful handling, storage, and condition reporting of all artworks

·       Handling incoming and outgoing artworks with professionalism and care, including packaging and dispatching

·       Supporting print stock management

·       Artwork photography and basic Photoshop editing are not required for this role, though these skills or an interest in learning them would be welcomed

·       Maintaining cleanliness and visual standards across all gallery spaces

·       Liaising with artists and clients in a warm, professional manner

·       Supporting client interactions and sales administration

To thrive in this role, you will bring:

·       Prior experience in the creative sector or a related trade, with some artwork handling skills

·       Confidence using tools (drills, hammers, picture-hanging hardware) and working at height (up ladders)

·       Physical fitness – this role involves lifting and moving artworks (up to 30kg with assistance) and being on your feet for most of the day

·       Highly organised approach (a genuine love of systems, lists and keeping things running smoothly)

·       A careful, tidy approach with high attention to detail and strong spatial awareness

·       Patience, a problem-solving mindset, and pride in working to a high standard

·       Clear written and verbal communication skills

·       Confidence with computers and proficient in Microsoft suite, with the ability to learn gallery systems and processes quickly

·       A proactive, self-motivated attitude with the confidence to work independently

·       Genuine curiosity about artists and their work

·       Good eye for visual presentation

·       Comfort with both creative and administrative tasks

In return for your passion, practical skills, and commitment to excellence, we offer competitive remuneration matched to experience, a tight-knit and supportive team, and the opportunity to work in a varied and ever-changing environment while supporting the New Zealand art community.

To provide an authentic perspective on our team, we approached one of our recent team members, to share her feedback on her experience working with us.

 “The time I spent at Parnell Gallery has had a significant influence on what I expect from employers moving forward. Anna, Sally and the team foster a creative environment based on trust, respect, and transparency where questions, curiosity, and development are embraced in every domain. I can’t overstate how instrumental the impact of this culture has had upon my professional development and approach to work; what I once considered personal flaws (i.e., attention to detail), I now take as opportunities to nurture into strengths. I am so proud to be connected to Parnell Gallery and the opportunities my time there continues to provide.”

This role is primarily Monday–Friday, with flexibility for some weekend work as part of a shared team roster.