At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Africa, Oceania and Americas department at a world-renowned museum.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a hub of history, culture, and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and free exhibition tickets.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for international collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on global cultural heritage and inspire future generations.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and significant management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 77716 - 77716 £ per year.
Salary: £77,816 per annum
Location: Bloomsbury
Role Summary
This is a fantastic opportunity for a specialist of academic distinction and curatorial experience to lead and manage the department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas. The department cares for over 350,000 cultural objects, and for hundreds of thousands of digital assets, archives and photographs. It is responsible for a range of research, global collaborations, exhibitions, international loans, and the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme, African Histories and Heritage Programme, and the Santo Domingo Centre of Excellence for Latin American Research.
In 2024, the British Museum in Camden received 6.5 million visitors, more than any other museum in the UK. Against this backdrop, the Museum is now undergoing an extraordinary transformation, both intellectual and physical, and there could not be a more meaningful time to join.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and supporting the department to successfully deliver curatorial and academic work and care for an internationally important collection. You will provide strategic leadership and mentoring to your team, helping to inspire them and have the opportunity to participate widely in delivering the Museum’s goals and objectives. This will include representing the Museum in the UK and abroad.
Key areas of responsibility
- Deliver strategic leadership and management of a large department including major research programmes
- Develop strong partnerships and collaborations, strengthening existing relations with external colleagues, Indigenous communities and stakeholders
- Work with the Head of Research and the Research Board to ensure research activity is in accordance with strategic objectives and financially sustainable
- Ensure the safety and security of the collection in line with agreed standards, strategies, processes and procedures
- Work openly and collaboratively with colleagues across the Museum to ensure appropriate care, documentation, curation, and display of the collection
- Provide strategic direction and support for work on the Museum’s major redisplay project
- Support the Directorate in the management of major collection issues, including questions of strategic importance and with significant risk profile
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then we’d love to hear from you. A full job description is available below; this details the key dimensions of the role and the person specification.
About you
The successful candidate will have significant management and leadership skills and experience with a strategic and analytical approach. They must have excellent communication skills and be able to stay calm under pressure. They should also be able to evidence:
- Degree educated or equivalent in a relevant subject with membership of relevant learned and professional societies
- International recognition as a scholar in a relevant field
- Excellent understanding of the Museum and wider academic and cultural world
- Experience of major income generation
- Experience working internationally and generating collaborative partnerships
- Experience of delivering and managing effective change
Benefits include
- Be a part of a world-renowned institution, where history, culture, and innovation come together!
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after long service) plus 2.5 privilege days, in addition to bank holidays
- Generous civil service pension scheme
- Complimentary exhibition tickets
- Free and discounted entry to international cultural organisations, national museums and gallery exhibitions
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: Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, Value Many Voices.
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.
The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated in line with their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Keeper of Africa Oceania and the Americas in City of London employer: British Museum
The British Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the Africa, Oceania and the Americas department within a world-renowned institution located in Bloomsbury. With a commitment to employee growth, a supportive work culture, and generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave and a civil service pension scheme, the Museum fosters an environment where diverse voices are valued and innovation thrives. Join us at this pivotal moment of transformation and make a meaningful impact on global cultural heritage.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Keeper of Africa Oceania and the Americas in City of London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the museum and cultural sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at the British Museum. You never know who might give you a heads-up about opportunities or even put in a good word for you!
✨Show Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with someone from the museum, let your enthusiasm shine through! Talk about your love for cultural heritage and how you can contribute to their mission. This is your moment to stand out and show them why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework on the British Museum and its current projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around curatorial work and community engagement. Practise common interview questions and have some thoughtful queries of your own to ask – it shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the application process right there. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Keeper of Africa Oceania and the Americas in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for the Keeper of Africa, Oceania and the Americas role. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission and values!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves strategic leadership, don’t forget to include examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and lead others!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure you apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Museum
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the collections and cultural significance of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Brush up on recent exhibitions and research initiatives at the museum to show your genuine interest and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your management and leadership experience. Think about times when you've successfully led a team or project, especially in a curatorial or academic context, and be ready to discuss how you inspire and mentor others.
✨Be Collaborative
This role involves working with various stakeholders, including Indigenous communities. Be prepared to discuss your experience in building partnerships and collaborations, and how you approach working with diverse groups to achieve common goals.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Given the responsibilities of this role, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to remain composed in challenging situations. Think of specific instances where you've managed stress effectively, particularly in high-stakes environments, and share those stories during your interview.
