At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in delivering collection care activities and oversee high-profile projects at the British Museum.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a historic institution undergoing a major transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy free exhibition entry, generous leave, and support for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of collection management in a dynamic and impactful role.
- Qualifications: Experience in collection management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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 large‑scale special and international exhibitions, as well as coordinating collection management input across some of the British Museum’s 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.
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).
- Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
- 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.
- Values
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Spark Curiosity
- Value Many Voices
- Additional information
At the British Museum, we are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process where every applicant has the opportunity to present their genuine strengths and experience in their own voice.
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. You can find out more about these here.*
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre‑employment screening of Civil Servants.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager: Collection Management Operations
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We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager: Collection Management Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
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How to prepare for a job interview at British Museum
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
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We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at British Museum. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
