Senior Interpretation Planner (Museum Exhibitions)

The British Museum is embarking on an ambitious, long-term Masterplan to reimagine the visitor experience for future generations. We’re looking for a Senior Interpretation Planner to help shape this transformation — someone who brings creativity, strategic thinking and audience-focused insight to some of the most significant gallery redevelopment projects in our history.

This role offers a unique opportunity to deliver innovative, sector leading special exhibition and displays, working with colleagues across the museum, notably in curatorial departments, 2D and 3D design and Learning and Programmes. You will play a substantive part in the renewal and transformation at the British Museum, working on new displays relating to the Masterplan and redevelopment of the Western Range and bring together innovation storytelling, world leading curation and ambitious design to create memorable and transformative visitor experiences.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience writing and developing concepts in the field of museum or heritage interpretation and museum design, where people and audiences remain the center of your focus.

• Interpretive Planning and Management including:

• Develop ambitious, sector-leading interpretation plans for major gallery projects and museum-wide initiatives.
• Shape the conceptual, narrative and intellectual structure of allocated displays.
• Work with curatorial and design teams to ensure compelling content and strong visitor-centred storytelling.
• Define briefs for digital media, interactives and special graphics.

• Line-manage Interpretation Managers, supporting their development and day‑to‑day work.
• Manage freelance editors, researchers and contracted specialists.
• Contribute to Museum-wide interpretation strategy and deputise for the Head of Interpretation when required.
• Define audiences and help project teams define a clear intellectual structure while understanding visitor needs, motivations and learning outcomes.
• Use evaluation, visitor research and sector insight to support decision‑making and challenge assumptions.
• Support with the planning and overseeing of research to fill relevant gaps in the Museum’s knowledge about visitors.

• 8–10 years’ experience in writing and developing concepts in the field of museum or heritage interpretation and museum design.
• A strong track record in interpretive planning and editorial work.
• Experience using visitor research and evaluation to shape content with an awareness of sector leading projects in the UK and overseas.
• Ideally with experience of working with a wide range of public, including young people and community groups and working on major capital projects.
• Confidence presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional storytelling and writing skills, able to translate complex ideas into meaningful, accessible narratives.
• Proven ability to own and manage multiple high-profile projects in fast-paced environments.
• Strong interpersonal, diplomatic and influencing skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate and inspire creative teams.

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:

• 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).
• Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
• 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.
• Interest‑free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.

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:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Value Many Voices

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.

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.

While we recognise that AI tools can be helpful when preparing applications, we expect all submissions to accurately reflect everyone’s skills and background, and we may withdraw applications that appear to be generated entirely by AI.

During interviews, we want to hear directly from candidates and therefore do not permit the use of AI to generate or support answers, though assistive technologies used as reasonable adjustments are fully welcomed.

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 Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.