Senior 3D Designer

The British Museum
LocationLondon [Hybrid]
Salary£43,317
Experience LevelSenior
Job TypeFull Time
Job Posted17 Mar 2026
Application Ends7 Apr 2026

Job Description

Senior 3D Designer

Full-time 41 hours per week

Hybrid (3 days per week on-site in Bloomsbury, London. 5 days during probation)

Permanent contract

£43,317 per annum

Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 7 April 2026

About the Role

Join the British Museum’s award‑winning Design & Interpretation Studio as a Senior 3D Designer at a defining moment in the Museum’s history. As we embark on the once‑in‑a‑generation Masterplan to transform the entire Bloomsbury site, this role offers the chance to shape not only major exhibitions, gallery redevelopments and public‑facing spatial projects, but also the future direction of the studio itself.

You will lead the creative vision for immersive environments, craft narrative‑driven visitor experiences, and collaborate closely with curators, interpretation specialists, and graphic designers. As a hands‑on creative leader, you’ll drive design excellence from concept through to final delivery, helping to build an industry‑leading design practice and leaving a lasting imprint on the Museum’s next chapter.

About You

We’re looking for a highly creative spatial designer with a standout portfolio of narrative‑driven exhibition or environmental design. You’ll bring robust 3D and technical skills, confidence in developing bold conceptual ideas, and the ability to present, articulate and refine these with a wide range of stakeholders.

You thrive in fast‑paced, multi‑project environments, and you lead with curiosity, openness, and collaborative energy. You’ll mentor junior designers with clarity and generosity, while balancing aesthetic ambition with rigorous technical understanding, sustainable design principles, and an instinct for spatial storytelling. This is an opportunity for a designer who wants to shape not just exhibitions, but the very future of the Museum’s design identity.

Key areas of responsibility

  • Lead creative development for temporary exhibitions, permanent galleries and public‑facing spaces, shaping compelling spatial narratives and immersive environments.
  • Produce high‑quality drawings, visualisations, technical documentation and tender packages using advanced 2D/3D tools.
  • Manage contractors, specialist consultants and external designers to ensure design intent, build quality and project standards are met.
  • Champion sustainable design through responsible material choices, reuse strategies and environmentally informed construction methods.
  • Mentor junior designers, foster an ambitious studio culture and collaborate across disciplines to deliver exceptional visitor experiences.

Portfolio

Please provide a portfolio that includes a well-curated selection of relevant work, clearly showing how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role. Please submit your portfolio as a PDF under the ‘Cover Letter’ Section of your application. Applications without a portfolio, or with an incorrectly submitted portfolio, cannot be considered.

Benefits

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we've designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here.

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

  • Care Deeply
  • Embrace the Unknown
  • Spark Curiosity
  • Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

Additional details

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.

*We may be able to provide visa sponsorship for this role, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.*

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.

JOB #1160038898