At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and care for world-class museum collections, ensuring their preservation and accessibility.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a leader in cultural heritage and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy free exhibition access, generous leave, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Fixed-term role with potential for extension; based in vibrant London.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving history while working in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience with object handling and a passion for museum collections.
The predicted salary is between 29642 - 29642 £ per year.
We are looking for an Assistant Collection Manager to join the Africa, Oceania and the Americas department, playing a vital role in the care, preservation, and accessibility of the Museum’s world-class collections. Working as part of the Care & Access team, you will support the day‑to‑day management of objects, ensuring they are handled, stored, and displayed to the highest standards. This is a highly practical, technical role requiring precision, problem‑solving, and close collaboration with colleagues across the Museum and external partners.
About you
You are a hands‑on and detail‑oriented individual with a genuine interest in museum collections and their preservation. You bring practical experience of object handling, mount making, installation, and collections work, alongside a strong appreciation of materials and conservation principles. You are comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment with competing priorities and tight deadlines, maintaining high standards at all times. A strong team player, you’re equally capable of working independently, using initiative and problem‑solving skills to get the job done.
Key areas of responsibility
- Prepare and handle collection objects for display, storage, study, and loans across Museum sites and partner venues.
- Support access to the collections by facilitating study sessions and source community visits, supervising study rooms, providing a professional and welcoming experience.
- Coordinate and support the safe packing, movement, and transportation of objects, including acting as a courier for both UK and international loans.
- Install objects on display, designing and fabricating bespoke object mounts.
- Maintain essential object documentation and produce accurate condition reports, ensuring collections data is up‑to‑date and audit‑ready.
- Uphold the highest standards of collections care, including security, environmental monitoring, and best practice in handling, storage, and pest management.
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term Contract length 6 months (potential to be extended)
Working Pattern: Full Time
Location: London
Salary: £29,642
Application Deadline: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Benefits
- Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
- Discounts at onsite catering, Museum shops and local Bloomsbury partners.
- Social and wellbeing perks including Staff parties, social clubs, CSSC sports and leisure, and support from the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship.
- Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
- Enhanced parental leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
- Support for carers through Employers for Carers.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation‑linked defined benefit.
- Interest‑free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.
Values
Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, Spark Curiosity, Value Many Voices. 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. 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 information
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. Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer Sponsorship to applicants. The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre‑employment screening of Civil Servants.
Assistant Collection Manager: Africa, Oceania and the Americas employer: British Museum
The British Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a world-renowned institution dedicated to the care and accessibility of its extraordinary collections. With a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, the Museum provides generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and collaboration. Located in London, employees enjoy access to exclusive exhibitions and a vibrant community, making it an inspiring place for personal and professional growth.
