VIP & Institution Relations Manager, Americas

Working closely with the Frieze teams, the VIP & Institution Relations Manager, Americas role is key in ensuring the success of Frieze Fairs, particularly in Americas. This role will involve building Frieze brand recognition across Americas, establishing strong relationships with key institutions, collectors and art world professionals in the region, and delivering audiences to all Frieze fairs and projects internationally.

At Frieze we believe art is vital to communities and cultures. Bringing together galleries, artists, institutions, and art lovers all over the world to make art flourish.

Frieze is a media and events company that comprises three publications, frieze magazine, Frieze Masters Magazine and Frieze Week; and five international art fairs, Frieze London, Frieze LA, Frieze New York, Frieze Seoul and Frieze Masters; regular talks and summits, led by frieze editors; and frieze.com – the definitive resource for contemporary art and culture.

In October 2021, Frieze launched No.9 Cork Street, a hub for visiting international galleries in the heart of Mayfair, London. Frieze is part of the IMG network. IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events, and media and is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports and content company.

Working closely with the Frieze teams, the VIP & Institution Relations Manager, Americas role is key in ensuring the success of Frieze Fairs, particularly in Americas. This role will involve building Frieze brand recognition across Americas, establishing strong relationships with key institutions, collectors and art world professionals in the region, and delivering audiences to all Frieze fairs and projects internationally.

Strategy

  • Spearhead relations management with key institutions and associated key stakeholders in the USA in order to secure their attendance and deliver key audiences to all Frieze Fairs
  • Research and Identify key states and specific museums actively acquiring Contemporary, Modern and historical art in Americas and those who have solid patron support
  • Formulate and execute outreach and engagement strategies to encourage and deliver Institution attendance to all Frieze fairs including VIP Communications + Key touchpoints

Relations and Engagement

  • Form strong relationships with Directors, Curators, Development personnel and patrons of institutions
  • Create a travel plan to be signed off with Directors and travel extensively in the region in order to build relationships with key contacts at institutions across the USA
  • Attend key international art events in Americas including major exhibition openings and dinners; make regular visits to institutions throughout the region
  • Identify and coordinate opportunities with local and regional institutions; Host targeted initiatives with institutions across Americas as agreed with VIP Director and Director of Americas
  • Lead new cultivation opportunities in order to improve insights and relations
  • Advise Frieze on how to further engage with curators/museum directors in the region
  • Identify specific engagement points by using Frieze’s platforms, content, new initiatives and other events as a form of engagement
  • Speak to US galleries participating in Frieze fairs to gain intel on active institutions and patron groups
  • Oversee VIP communications with institutions + their personelll including VIP invitations, nominations and targeted touchpoints 
  • Provide weekly updates on progress and KPIs
  • Share regular updates on attendance pre show with Directors

Development of VIP Database

  • Actively support with the development of institution audiences and update database
  • Source contact details and implement into database; offering guidance of what access and invitations they should receive to Frieze fairs
  • Act as point of contact in correspondence from Frieze to Institutions in the region, tailoring correspondence when necessary

Onsite

  • Coordinate and initiate tailor made programming for institution groups based on intel and interests
  • Facilitate onsite tours with Directors and Curators of sections for individuals and institution groups
  • Actively facilitate introductions between institutions and exhibiting galleries
  • Initiate and host hospitality events at the fairs for targeted institutions

Knowledge and Experience

  • In-depth understanding of the art world and the key institutions and players in Americas;
  • Significant experience at a senior level within a client facing background in an environment such as a commercial gallery, museum, auction house, international art event, corporation or brand  in Americas
  • Strong relationships with collectors, curators and opinion-formers in Americas
  • Deep knowledge and understanding of the global contemporary art world

Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the range shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.  Endeavor strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.



Hiring Range Minimum:

$80,000 annually

Hiring Range Maximum:

$100,000 annually

Frieze unites people in our love of the arts. We understand this can only be accomplished when we harness the entirety of our company and lead with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. As a global company that drives culture, we are committed to practicing anti-discrimination including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability, together with artists, writers, and cultural practitioners from all backgrounds. There is still much work to be done to address systemic inequality and discrimination within the arts and culture industry, and we are dedicated to making progress to both within our own organization and the art world at large.