About the role

We are seeking an exceptional Collection Management Operations professional to lead a team of collection management specialists delivering a programme of collection care activities across the British Museum. This successful candidate will have excellent collection management skills and experience, particularly in the technical care of collections, and be able to use and build upon these to work on a more strategic level.

This role balances the running of business as usual alongside leading on the collection care aspects of largescale special and international exhibitions, as well as coordinating collection management input across some of the British Museums permanent displays in the redevelopment of the Western Range.

As such, you’ll oversee the delivery of high-profile projects, lead and motivate an expert team of collection management professionals, act as principal liaison for collection management workstreams within the Museum’s key programmes and consider how the collection management team can best support this exciting period of transformation.

This is a unique and high-impact leadership role underpinned by technical expertise, where you will help shape the future of collection storage, display, access and care at the British Museum.

About you

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject and recognised project management qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in collection management within a museum or heritage setting with in-depth technical knowledge of collection care and object handling.
• Excellent understanding of display, installation, packing for loan, storage and preventative conservation practices with experience in health and safety management.
• Strong programme or project management experience delivering complex initiatives with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent risk management, planning, budgeting and resource management skills.
• Able to lead, manage and motivate a team of specialist collection care professionals and champions inclusivity and collaboration.
• Ability to engage, influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across a complex organisation.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interpret and present complex information clearly.

Key areas of responsibility

• Lead and inspire a team of senior collection management specialists to deliver a complex programme of technical activities across the Museum.
• Act as the principal liaison for collection management workstreams within the Museum’s Masterplan programme as well as other key programmes and exhibitions.
• Oversee delivery of projects including exhibitions, loans, storage solutions and gallery maintenance.
• Ensure all activity supports strategic priorities in line with Collection Care, Storage and Conservation policies.
• Provide expert advice on technical collection management and best practice.
• Lead programme planning, including budget, resources and procurement strategies.
• Drive a high-performance culture, fostering collaboration across collection management, curatorial, conservation and operational teams.
• Manage delivery to tight deadlines, ensuring quality and compliance across all projects.

The Masterplan

The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.