Interpretation Manager

Interpretation Manager

London Full-Time 30000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the creation of engaging exhibits and ensure they resonate with diverse audiences.
  • Company: Join the British Museum, a historic institution showcasing two million years of culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, and discounts on food and gifts.
  • Why this job: Be part of a world-class team shaping visitor experiences in a renowned museum.
  • Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and editorial experience in museums or publishing required.
  • Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.

Interpretation Manager
Design and Interpretation
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Permanent
£34,713 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 30 July 2025
About the role:
As the Interpretation Manager, you will collaborate with project teams, curators, community partners and contractors to ensure that the content and interpretive techniques used in our galleries and exhibitions effectively meet our audiences\’ needs. You will help the museum deliver world-class visitor-focused displays.
Key areas of responsibility:
To act as the \’audience advocate\’ on gallery or exhibition teams:
* To help the team define a clear intellectual structure, key messages and visitor outcomes
* To help define target audiences and their needs
* To provide project teams with information about visitors based on robust evaluation and insight
* To plan and oversee visitor research to fill gaps in the museum\’s knowledge about visitors
* To train project teams in visitor awareness
* To manage the text schedule and edit all text in special exhibitions and displays
* To develop briefs for digital media and hands on interpretation
* To support other staff members, volunteers and contractors working in areas such as editing, picture research and visitor research.
About you:
You will have a degree or equivalent in a relevant subject and proven editorial experience in the museum or publishing worlds. You must possess highly developed liaison, diplomatic, and influencing skills, and be an excellent team player. As a persuasive and flexible communicator, you will effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and project teams.
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum\’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery.
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
* Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years\’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
* Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
* Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
* Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
* Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
* Professional and personal development opportunities
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations: Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here: British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff 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 because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.
We specifically encourage applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups who are underrepresented within our senior roles.

National Museum Directors\’ Council, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.

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Interpretation Manager employer: Nationalmuseums

The British Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values diversity and collaboration. As an Interpretation Manager, you will benefit from generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and the chance to engage with world-renowned collections in a historic setting. With a commitment to employee well-being and a supportive environment, the Museum provides a meaningful platform for growth and innovation in the arts and culture sector.
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Contact Detail:

Nationalmuseums Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Interpretation Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's current exhibitions and their interpretive strategies. Understanding how they engage with audiences will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for visitor-focused displays during any discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the museum sector, especially those involved in interpretation and audience engagement. Attend relevant events or workshops to build connections that could provide insights into the role and potentially lead to recommendations.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully engaged diverse audiences in previous roles. Highlight your editorial experience and how it has contributed to effective communication and visitor understanding in a museum context.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on trends in museum interpretation and visitor research. Being knowledgeable about new technologies and methodologies can set you apart as a candidate who is ready to innovate and enhance the visitor experience at the British Museum.

We think you need these skills to ace Interpretation Manager

Editorial Skills
Project Management
Visitor Research
Stakeholder Engagement
Communication Skills
Diplomatic Skills
Team Collaboration
Content Development
Audience Analysis
Interpretive Techniques
Training and Development
Attention to Detail
Flexibility
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements of the Interpretation Manager position. Highlight how your skills and experiences align with their needs.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience in editorial work, visitor research, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to advocate for audiences.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for museum work and your understanding of audience engagement. Mention specific projects or experiences that illustrate your skills in managing interpretive content.

Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and professional, reflecting the high standards expected in the museum sector.

How to prepare for a job interview at Nationalmuseums

✨Understand the Audience Advocate Role

Make sure you grasp what it means to be the 'audience advocate' in gallery or exhibition teams. Be prepared to discuss how you would define key messages and visitor outcomes, as well as how you would identify and meet the needs of target audiences.

✨Showcase Your Editorial Experience

Since proven editorial experience is crucial for this role, come ready to share specific examples from your past work. Highlight any relevant projects where you managed text schedules or edited content for exhibitions or publications.

✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills

As a team player, it's essential to show how you can effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Prepare examples of past experiences where you successfully worked with project teams, curators, or community partners to achieve common goals.

✨Prepare for Visitor Research Discussions

Be ready to discuss your approach to planning and overseeing visitor research. Think about how you would fill gaps in knowledge about visitors and how you would train project teams in visitor awareness, as these are key responsibilities of the role.

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