At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in managing special collections and archives at a prestigious university.
- Company: Join the University of Liverpool, a hub for research and cultural engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and be part of a dynamic, evolving team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community partnerships and digital transformation in heritage services.
- Qualifications: Seeking skilled individuals with experience in libraries, archives, or curatorial roles.
- Other info: This role offers opportunities for collaboration and international relationships.
The predicted salary is between 38400 - 47000 £ per year.
Vacancy for Head of Special Collections and Archives at University of Liverpool
23 May 2023
Liverpool
£44,415 – £56,049 pa
Full-Time
This is an incredibly exciting time to join the University of Liverpool. The Libraries, Museums, and Galleries (LMG) have a central role in delivering on the university’s regional, national, and global ambitions. With our internationally significant collections, expert staff, and strong track record of research and learning services, we are well positioned to meet the changing needs of our users.
LMG offer comprehensive Heritage Services with mixed media collections that support teaching, research and public engagement. Collections range from internationally significant science fiction, modern poetry archives, distinctive rare book collections, and the University institutional archive to major deposited collections including the Cunard archive. The Institute of Popular Music and the Garstang museum of archaeology represent important partnerships with academic departments. The University Art Collection, and the University museum collections of natural history, history of medicine and technology complement holdings across the City Region.
We have ambitions to move from being a largely analogue collection to offering comprehensive and innovative digital services in collaboration with University services, faculties, external cultural partners and community groups. We are embarking on this roadmap in parallel to addressing legacies of colonialism and bias in collecting practices, taking an anti-racist stance and working in close cooperation and collaboration with communities in the region. This is an exciting time to join a growing team, creating new partnerships for the co-production and co-curation of knowledge across the City Region and looking to develop relationships internationally.
We are seeking to appoint a highly skilled and motivated individual to join the LMG as Head of Special Collections and Archives. This position reports directly to the Deputy Director of Libraries, Museums and Galleries. It is one of two Grade 8 positions across the Heritage portfolio (the second being Head of Museums and Galleries). LMG is going through an ambitious and significant period of change and functional responsibilities across the Heritage portfolio will be evolving based on team strengths, areas of growing priority and University strategy.
As Head of Special Collections and Archives you will be directly responsible for staff in librarian, archivist and curatorial roles, as well as digital and technical roles. You may be required to supervise collaborative PhD candidates and Research Associates. You will be responsible for the strategic development of collections and services, increasing visibility and reuse in physical and digital environments. You will broaden audiences and devise collaborations with communities, building lasting partnerships locally and internationally.
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Vacancy for Head of Special Collections and Archives at University of Liverpool employer: Digital Preservation Coalition
Contact Detail:
Digital Preservation Coalition Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vacancy for Head of Special Collections and Archives at University of Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the University of Liverpool's current collections and their strategic goals. Understanding their vision for digital transformation and community engagement will help you align your experience and ideas with their objectives during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of special collections and archives. Attend relevant conferences or workshops, and connect with current staff at the University of Liverpool on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights into their work culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with collaborative projects and community partnerships. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully engaged diverse audiences or worked on initiatives that address issues of colonialism and bias in collecting practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on trends in digital archiving and heritage services. Being knowledgeable about innovative practices and technologies in the field will demonstrate your commitment to advancing the university's mission and enhancing their collections.
We think you need these skills to ace Vacancy for Head of Special Collections and Archives at University of Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Special Collections and Archives. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in managing special collections, archives, and digital services. Emphasize any leadership roles and collaborative projects that demonstrate your ability to work with diverse communities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for heritage services and community engagement. Mention specific initiatives or projects you would like to pursue in this role.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: In both your CV and cover letter, emphasize any past experiences where you successfully collaborated with academic departments, cultural partners, or community groups. This is crucial for the role's focus on building partnerships.
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Preservation Coalition
✨Show Your Passion for Collections
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for special collections and archives. Discuss specific collections that excite you, such as the Cunard archive or the modern poetry archives, and how you envision enhancing their visibility and accessibility.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss your vision for the strategic development of collections and services. Highlight any previous experiences where you successfully increased engagement or visibility in both physical and digital environments.
✨Highlight Collaborative Experience
Since the role involves building partnerships with communities and academic departments, be ready to share examples of past collaborations. Emphasize your ability to work with diverse groups and how you can contribute to co-production and co-curation of knowledge.
✨Address Anti-Racism and Inclusivity
Given the university's commitment to addressing legacies of colonialism and bias, be prepared to discuss how you would approach these issues in your role. Share any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that promote inclusivity and diversity within collections.