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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented Collections team to create world-class exhibitions and galleries.
- Company: Join the Science Museum, inspiring 3.3 million visitors with stories of human ingenuity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, health insurance, and discounts at our shops and cafes.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious public program that ignites curiosity and promotes innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in museums or heritage, with expertise in museology and science studies.
- Other info: Flexible work across five museums in the UK; we welcome diverse applicants.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Our current vacancies are listed below, enter criteria to refine your search.
Head of Collections and Principal Curator
The job requirements are detailed below.
Job details
Contractual hours: 35
Basis: Full time
Based at: Science Museum
Job category/type: Contract – Full Time, Dept. – Collections, Dept. – Curatorial, Tenure – Permanent, Type – Employee
Are you a leader in the museums, heritage of academic sector? Are you able to lead a talented Collections team in creating world-class content for an ambitious public programme of exhibitions and galleries?
About us
At the Science Museum, the home of human ingenuity, we are dedicated to inspiring our 3.3 million visitors with stories that reveal wonder and ignite curiosity around our unique Collections.
We are looking for a Head of Collections & Principal Curator to join us on a permanent basis based at the Science Museum in London. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership to our curatorial, research, library and archive teams.
About the role
The Head of Collections and Principal Curator will promote curatorial and research excellence for our ambitious public programme, including delivering on the vision for the content of new permanent galleries (including a future Space gallery). They will also provide strategic direction on collections development and review, high-profile acquisitions, and the development of a group-wide Research Strategy across the 5 museums in our Science Museum Group. They will inspire and lead the team to work closely with the Executive team, and other key department leads, including in Exhibitions, Digital, Design, Communications and others, to ensure the seamless delivery of outstanding world-class galleries, temporary exhibitions, digitisation, publications, and research.
About you
As a Head of Collections and Principal Curator, you will be a highly collaborative individual, with a proven track record of delivery in a museum or heritage context. You will be a recognised authority and expert in museology, the history and current practice of science and its material culture, or science and technology studies. You will be expected to maintain a strong international reputation for scholarship, representing the museum and its collections nationally and internationally. As a people manager, you will be able to drive high standards at the helm of a busy and diverse team, with experience of building, growing, inspiring, and leading a multidisciplinary talented team, to create a strong team culture encompassing excellence, innovation, openness, a positive can-do attitude, ambition and promoting a culture of support and wellbeing.
This position is mainly based at the Science Museum in London but requires some flexibility for work to be carried out across our five museums in the UK and our collections site in Wiltshire.
Don’t feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn’t match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.
Applying
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under ‘Attachments’ on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click ‘Apply Online’ to submit an application.
What we offer
- Meaningful work: We’re a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
- Career growth: We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
- Work/life balance: We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
- Health & Dental Insurance: Extra peace of mind, from day one.
- All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme, access to the Unmind app, and other wellbeing support.
- Enhanced contributory pension: To support you in saving for the future.
- Interest-free loans: When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
- Great discounts: Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group’s five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures .
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Head of Collections and Principal Curator employer: Science Museum Group
Contact Detail:
Science Museum Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Collections and Principal Curator
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your leadership experience in curatorial roles. Highlight specific projects where you led a team to create exhibitions or galleries, as this will resonate with our need for a strong leader in the Collections department.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your expertise in museology and science communication. Share examples of how you've engaged diverse audiences through innovative programming or exhibitions, which aligns with our mission to inspire curiosity.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the museum and heritage sector. Attend relevant conferences or events to connect with others in the field, as personal recommendations can be a powerful way to get noticed.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarize yourself with our current exhibitions and collections. Understanding our existing programs and future goals will help you articulate how your vision aligns with ours during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Collections and Principal Curator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Collections and Principal Curator position. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasize your leadership experience in museums or heritage contexts. Provide specific examples of how you have successfully led teams, developed exhibitions, or managed collections.
Showcase Collaborative Skills: Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams. Mention any past experiences where you have worked closely with different departments or stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Express Your Vision: Articulate your vision for curatorial excellence and how you would contribute to the Science Museum's mission. Discuss your ideas for enhancing public engagement through exhibitions and research initiatives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Science Museum Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a candidate for the Head of Collections and Principal Curator, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience in museums or heritage contexts. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed projects, and inspired collaboration among diverse groups.
✨Demonstrate Your Curatorial Expertise
Be ready to discuss your knowledge and experience in museology, science history, and material culture. Share insights on how you have contributed to curatorial excellence and innovative exhibitions in your previous roles.
✨Align with the Museum's Vision
Familiarize yourself with the Science Museum's mission and current exhibitions. During the interview, express how your vision aligns with their goals, particularly regarding the development of new galleries and public programs.
✨Emphasize Collaboration Skills
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with various departments, such as Digital, Design, and Communications. Provide examples of successful cross-departmental projects that demonstrate your capacity to foster teamwork and achieve common objectives.
