Curator of Methodist + Non-conformist Collections in Manchester

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as Curator of Methodist and Non-conformist Collections. This curatorial role is responsible for the stewardship of the Methodist and Non-conformist archival and printed collections held at the University of Manchester Library, primarily based at the John Rylands Library.

You will be responsible for:

• Curating agreed Special Collections materials, print and digital, to exemplary standards, contributing to the development, management, care and security of the collections in line with Library policies and procedures.
• Promoting and actively delivering the teaching and learning agenda for Special Collections in collaboration with other colleagues across the library and supporting all curators in teaching and learning activities.
• Taking a strategic approach to improving access to the collections, through cataloguing, digitisation, specialist enquiries and the reader service, liaising as appropriate with Library colleagues and academic staff.
• Liaising with stakeholders, including existing and potential donors, creators and depositors, over the acquisition, development and use of Special Collections materials, in line with Library policies.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of public engagement programmes, including curating exhibitions and displays, and promoting Special Collections materials and activities through tours, talks, publications and social media activities.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of curatorial practices for rare books and archive collections.
• 3 years professional experience of curating Special Collections in a relevant environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills to work in a highly collegiate environment.
• Educated to degree level in a subject represented in the Special Collections of the University of Manchester Library.
• Full professional qualification in librarianship, archive management or museum studies, and/or relevant experience at a comparable level.

Desirable Criteria

• Awareness of Methodist and Non-conformist history in the UK.
• Knowledge of one or more metadata standards appropriate to Special Collections.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications. Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension.
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure.
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Jessica Smith
Email Address: jessica.smith@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk