Tim Machin is Gallery Manager at Sheffield Hallam University - he oversees all exhibitions at the Sheffield Institute of Arts and develops the overall strategy for the gallery.

1. What does your job involve?

I am in charge of the day to day management of the University's gallery. This involves planning the gallery's programme based on proposals submitted and accepted by the gallery committee to represent the interest of all the courses at the Sheffield Institute of Arts. I work with the gallery technicians to install and take down exhibitions and liaise with the University's marketing department and press office to promote our exhibitions and events. I also work to ensure the professional standard of exhibitions and the correct care of exhibits is maintained whilst developing the gallery's strategy and profile.

2. What aspect of your role do you enjoy most?

I love planning the gallery's programme and creating the strategy for its development. At the moment I'm working to bring in new sources of funding and to promote our work to a much wider audience.

3. What has been the highlight of your job so far?

I really enjoyed welcoming visitors on the 'art crawl' - like a pub crawl but with galleries instead of pubs and art rather than beer. It was organised as part of Art Sheffield 10, the citywide biennial contemporary art exhibition. The show was very demanding to put on, and I missed the opening because my daughter was being born. The art crawl took place towards the end of the run and the feedback was brilliant.

4. What part of your past has proved most useful in getting you where you are now?

I studied Fine Art at university, and since graduating back in 1999 have maintained practice as an artist with some success. I've also worked a variety of jobs along the way, including in other art galleries such as Milton Keynes Gallery and Cornerhouse in Manchester. My last job was in higher education - editing an art and design website, which has given me experience in the strange workings of universities!

5. What do you enjoy doing when you're away from work?

I try and devote time to my own art practice - I'm exhibiting at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds later this year. My six month old daughter takes up rather more of my time though!

6. What is your favourite piece of art?

It's hard to choose. A long time favourite is Ceal Floyers' 1998 work, Monochrome Till Receipt (White) - which is simply the record of a purchase of a bunch of white things in colourful packages such as tissues and milk.

7. Who inspires you?

I have a lot of admiration for early twentieth century artists, cubists and futurists, who spent all their time tearing up the rules of art (and subsequently laying down the foundations of the modern world). Especially when you see photos of them, all dressed in waistcoats and top hats.

8. What do you hope to achieve at the gallery in the future?

I hope we can build up a great reputation - both as an interesting place to visit, right in the heart of the city's gallery quarter, and also as a place which puts on rigorous, credible and landmark exhibitions.

9. If you weren't working at the gallery, what do you think you would you be doing?

I'd be restoring old buildings.

10. What is the best advice you have received during your career?

Measure twice, cut once (when sawing wood - although it probably has wider applications).

Read Pam's 10 question interview.