Curator in Manchester

Curator in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 20400 - 21600 € / year (est.) No home office possible
M

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the management and interpretation of our diverse collection at Manchester Jewish Museum.
  • Company: Join a vibrant museum dedicated to celebrating Jewish heritage and community.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a flexible part-time role with opportunities for creative expression and community engagement.
  • Other info: Diversity is celebrated here; we encourage applications from underrepresented communities.
  • Why this job: Be part of a passionate team making a social impact through culture and history.
  • Qualifications: Experience in collections care, exhibition development, and strong people management skills required.

The predicted salary is between 20400 - 21600 € per year.

Join to apply for the Curator role at Manchester Jewish Museum

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Curator role at Manchester Jewish Museum

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Salary: £25,500 - £27,000 FTE (Actual salary is 60% pro rata)

Contract Type: Permanent (after three-month probationary period)

Hours: 21 hours per week (60% FTE), regular weekend working and some unsociable hours

Accountable to: Chief Executive

Accountable for: Supervision of Volunteers

The fundamental aim of the role is to lead on the management, interpretation, care and growth of our collection.

As a member of the senior management team, you will share responsibility for delivering our strategic plans and objectives, collaborating closely with colleagues on marketing, commercial, fundraising, programming and financial activities.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO

As a small team, we all lead on certain areas and support on others – planning and budgeting, press & PR, audience research, evaluation, social media, database management, etc. This role will lead on collections operations with the following core responsibilities:

Interpretation

·Maintain and develop the museum’s permanent exhibitions.

·Plan, curate and install temporary exhibitions inspired by our collections themes of Journeys, Communities and Identities.

·Work with freelance technicians to manage exhibition installation.

·Support the Programming Team in curation of community exhibitions.

·Ensure the Welcome Desk and Guide Volunteers are knowledgeable about all aspects of gallery interpretation.

·Work with the Programming Team to develop the events programme.

·Work with the café team to support menu development and helping link the items we serve to stories from our collection.

·Develop and deliver interpretive aspects of museum programming, such as Heritage Walks and ‘Gallery Pop Ups’

·Work with Marketing and Communications Manager to produce regular social media collections stories.

·Conduct talks about the museum and collection on request to social groups and societies.

·Represent the museum at conferences and industry meetings.

Collections Management

·Care for the museum’s 35,000 strong collection and our Grade 2* Listed Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue building.

·Develop policies relating to collections management and conservation.

·Manage the on-site and off-site stores, ensuring high standards of storage and object handling are maintained.

·Maintain collections management systems to accreditation standards. Ensuring objects are accessible, records are up to date and conservation issues documented on MODES database.

·Liaise with Arts Council England to ensure that Museums Accreditation is maintained.

·Manage and ensure the care of loans from individuals and other galleries and museums.

·Assess conservation requirements and commission appropriate work.

·Respond to enquiries relating to the collection.

·Facilitate researcher access to the collection.

·Deal with all new acquisitions in line with the Acquisitions Policy.

·Work with CEO and Finance Manager to ensure appropriate insurance arrangements are in place, including appropriate valuations.

·Research Manchester Jewish history to enhance knowledge of the collection.

·Continue work towards development of an online collections catalogue.

·Facilitate relationships with individuals and organisations in the academic sector, exploring opportunities for partnership working.

Senior Management Team

·Represent the Collections Department on the Senior Management Team.

·Update quarterly KPIs and oversee Collections and Interpretation budget.

·Supervise Guiding Volunteer Team, ensure good communication with all volunteers.

·Manage volunteer rota and the training and recruitment of new volunteers.

·Represent the museum during press interviews and enquires.

·Perform role of Duty Manager on a rotation basis, holding responsibility for the smooth running of the building and operations.

·Engage in weekend and evening work where necessary.

·Work with other staff and Trustees to fundraise and generate income for the museum and its collections.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Experience

·A recognised collections care qualification, or equivalent (paid or voluntary) collections care experience, including caring for and handling accessioned objects, caring for a heritage building, developing and installing exhibitions, writing interpretive text and delivering talks or presentations.

·Experience of using collections management software.

·Experience of fundraising and bid writing.

Skills

·Strong people and performance management skills.

·Highly developed planning and organisational skills and the ability to deliver to tight deadlines even when under pressure.

·Ability to work as part of a management team and on own initiative.

·Passionate about social change and able to work respectfully, sensitively and ethically with the museum’s diverse communities.

·Adaptable with a proactive approach to problem solving. Taking a leading role in ensuring your areas of responsibility are responsive to change and happy to support across all areas of museum operation when needed.

·Strong IT, analytical and numerical skills.

Knowledge

·Knowledge of accreditation standards and current best practice in the field of collections and building care.

·Existing knowledge or willingness to build deep knowledge of Manchester’s Jewish communities and their history, faith and culture.

·Knowledge of and interest in the arts and heritage sector.

WHAT NOW?

Deadline for applications by email: Sunday 21 st September, 4pm

Send your CV, Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form with a cover note of no more than 2 sides of A4 (or alternatively, a three-minute video), detailing why you want this role and to work with us at Manchester Jewish Museum and why you are a good fit for the position, drawing on the job requirements and person specification.

Email your application to ceo@manchesterjewishmuseum.com . Any queries can be made to the same contact ( Gemma Meek ).

We will notify shortlisted candidates as soon as possible. Interviews will be held in person at the museum on Tuesday 30 th September.

DIVERSITY

Manchester Jewish Museum prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive organisation, actively celebrating diversity and promoting acceptance and inclusivity. We value the benefits that diverse perspectives bring to our work. We recognise we currently under-represent Black people, People of Colour, disabled people and those with intersecting identities in our workforce. We are actively working to address this and encourage applications from these backgrounds. While the successful candidate will be selected purely on merit, in the event of a tie between two candidates with equal experience, we may select a candidate who helps us better represent the communities the museum serves.

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
  • Industries

    Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Manchester Jewish Museum by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Curator” roles.

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 4 days ago

Senior Creative Team (Art Director & Creative Copywriter)

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 3 months ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Winter Seasonal Beauty Advisor (8 hours)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Winter Seasonal Beauty Advisor (8 hours)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Senior / Principal / Associate - Heritage Consultant - UK

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Curator in Manchester employer: Manchester Jewish Museum

At Manchester Jewish Museum, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity and encourages personal and professional growth. As a Curator, you will have the unique opportunity to lead the management and interpretation of our rich collection while working closely with a passionate team dedicated to community engagement and cultural heritage. With a commitment to social change and a supportive atmosphere, this role offers meaningful contributions to both the museum and the diverse communities it serves.

M

Contact Detail:

Manchester Jewish Museum Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Curator in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the Manchester Jewish Museum's current exhibitions and collections. Understanding their themes, such as Journeys, Communities, and Identities, will help you demonstrate your passion and knowledge during interviews.

Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the museum and heritage sector. Attend local events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may provide insights or even referrals for the Curator role.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with collections management software and how it relates to the role. Being able to articulate your technical skills will set you apart from other candidates.

Tip Number 4

Showcase your understanding of the importance of community engagement in museums. Be ready to share ideas on how you would enhance the museum's programming and outreach efforts to connect with diverse audiences.

We think you need these skills to ace Curator in Manchester

Collections Management
Exhibition Curation
Interpretive Text Writing
Public Speaking
Volunteer Supervision
Fundraising and Bid Writing
Planning and Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Cover Note:Craft a cover note that specifically addresses the responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description. Highlight your relevant experience in collections management, exhibition curation, and community engagement to demonstrate why you are a perfect fit for the Curator role.

Showcase Relevant Experience:In your CV, emphasise any previous roles or volunteer work that involved collections care, exhibition installation, or community outreach. Use specific examples to illustrate your skills in managing collections and working with diverse communities.

Demonstrate Passion for the Role:In your application, convey your enthusiasm for the museum's mission and the importance of preserving and interpreting Jewish history. Share any personal connections or experiences that fuel your passion for this role and the community it serves.

Proofread and Format:Before submitting your application, ensure that your documents are well-formatted and free from spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a Curator position.

How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Jewish Museum

Know Your Collections

Familiarise yourself with the museum's collection, especially the themes of Journeys, Communities, and Identities. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage and interpret these collections in your role.

Showcase Your Experience

Highlight your relevant experience in collections care, exhibition development, and community engagement. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your skills and how they align with the job requirements.

Engage with the Community

Understand the diverse communities that the museum serves. Be ready to discuss how you would work respectfully and ethically with these groups, and share any previous experiences you have in community outreach or collaboration.

Prepare for Practical Questions

Expect questions about managing volunteers, budgeting, and working under pressure. Think of scenarios where you've successfully handled similar responsibilities and be ready to explain your approach.