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- Tasks: Join our team to care for and manage the British Museum's incredible collections!
- Company: The British Museum showcases over two million years of human history and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave, pension scheme, and discounts on food and gifts.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to preserving history.
- Qualifications: Good general education, manual dexterity, IT skills, and a passion for museum collections required.
- Other info: This is a full-time, permanent role based at BM_ARC in Reading.
The predicted salary is between 28144 - 28144 £ per year.
Role Summary
Assistant Collection Manager: Care and Access (Archaeology)
Collection Care
Full-time (41 hours per week)
Permanent
£28,144 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 31 January 2025
About the role:
Assistant Collection Managers in the Care & Access team are responsible for all practical aspects of care and preservation of the British Museum collections (with a primary focus on the day-to-day care of and access to the collections) at the storage facility and research centre at BM_ARC.
The post-holder will work as part of a team, and their activities will include the storage, movement, and preparation of objects for loans, display and study rooms, and supervision of activities connected with the care of, and access to, the collection by BM Staff and a range of external audiences. This role will be based at the British Museum’s new research centre BM_ARC, at the Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield, near Reading, although some aspects of the role may take place across all Museum sites.
Assistant Collection Managers may also be responsible for the packing, handling and display of objects lent to venues in the UK and internationally.
The team will be responsible for the moving of large, heavy objects within the collection using suitable heavy lifting equipment and methods.
This role is primarily technical. Problem solving is a key aspect of the role, and a flexible approach to working is essential.
We are recruiting 2 positions for this role.
Key areas of responsibility:
- To monitor security of objects and to maintain them in good condition in storage, in transit and whilst on display.
- To observe best practice in all aspects of object handling and collections storage
- To facilitate the movement, packing and display of objects across the collections, including archaeological material and large objects.
- To maintain and update essential object documentation, including location information.
- To supply objects for study and to supervise study rooms.
About you:
- Good general education including GCSEs or equivalent
- Demonstrable interest in aspects of the Museum’s collections
- Manual dexterity
- IT skills
- Understanding and appreciation of materials and objects
- Ability to work well as part of team
- Self-motivated and able to use initiative
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 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 to .
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:
The 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.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Assistant Collection Manager: Care and Access (Archaeology) based at BM_ARC, Reading - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Collection Manager: Care and Access (Archaeology) based at BM_ARC, Reading - London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the British Museum's collections, especially archaeological materials. Understanding the significance and context of these objects will help you demonstrate your genuine interest during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have with object handling or collections care. If you've worked in a museum or similar environment, be ready to discuss specific tasks you've performed that relate to the responsibilities of this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills by preparing examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. This is crucial since the job emphasizes flexibility and technical problem-solving.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your teamwork abilities by sharing experiences where you successfully collaborated with others. The role requires working as part of a team, so showing that you can contribute positively to a group dynamic will be beneficial.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Collection Manager: Care and Access (Archaeology) based at BM_ARC, Reading - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Assistant Collection Manager position. Highlight key responsibilities and required skills, such as manual dexterity and IT skills, to tailor your application accordingly.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize any previous experience related to collections care, object handling, or working in a museum environment. Use specific examples to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.
Highlight Your Interest: Express your genuine interest in the British Museum's collections and archaeology in your application. Mention any relevant studies, projects, or personal experiences that showcase your passion for the field.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Show Your Passion for Collections
Make sure to express your genuine interest in the British Museum's collections during the interview. Share specific examples of what fascinates you about archaeology and how it relates to the role.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss scenarios where you've successfully solved problems, especially in a team setting. Highlight your ability to think on your feet and adapt to changing situations, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Highlight Manual Dexterity and IT Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience with manual tasks and any relevant IT skills. Mention specific tools or software you are familiar with that could be beneficial for object handling and documentation.
✨Emphasize Teamwork and Initiative
Since the role involves working closely with a team, share examples of how you've collaborated effectively in the past. Also, illustrate instances where you've taken the initiative to improve processes or support your colleagues.
