Collections Manager in Royal Tunbridge Wells

Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN11RS

Contract Type: Full Time - Permanent

Contract Details: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Join One of the South East's Most Ambitious Cultural Destinations

Are you an experienced museum professional ready to lead, inspire and innovate?

We are seeking an exceptional Collections Manager to join The Amelia Scott, an award-winning cultural destination at the heart of Tunbridge Wells. This is an exciting opportunity to take strategic responsibility for collections that tell the stories of our borough and inspire audiences now and for generations to come.

As Collections Manager, you will lead the care, conservation, development and accessibility of our collections while helping to shape exhibitions, creative programmes and projects that bring heritage to life. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest professional standards whilst driving forward our ambitions for innovation, digitisation and public engagement.

This is more than a collections management role. It is an opportunity to influence the strategic direction of a thriving museum service, develop partnerships, secure funding, champion best practice and lead a talented collections team.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the management, care and development of The Amelia Scott's collections in line with Museum Accreditation and SPECTRUM 5.1 standards.
• Shaping collections strategy, policies and procedures to ensure excellence and compliance.
• Driving innovation through digitisation and improved public access to collections.
• Developing exhibitions, interpretation and collection-based projects that engage diverse audiences.
• Building partnerships, seeking external funding opportunities and raising the profile of The Amelia Scott's collections.
• Leading and developing the collections team to achieve ambitious organisational goals.

About you

You will be an experienced collections professional with a passion for cultural heritage and audience engagement. You'll bring substantial experience of collections management within a museum, gallery or heritage environment and have a strong understanding of collections care, documentation, access and development.

You will also be:

• A strategic thinker with the vision to shape the future of collections.
• An inspiring leader who can develop and motivate teams.
• Creative, innovative and audience-focused.
• An excellent communicator with strong organisational and project management skills.
• Passionate about making heritage accessible, relevant and inclusive.

At The Amelia Scott, you'll be part of a creative and highly collaborative team that is proud to work within one of the leading heritage and cultural institutions in the South East. You'll enjoy a varied and rewarding role where ideas are welcomed, innovation is encouraged and your expertise can make a lasting impact.

What we offer

• Salary starting at £51,038, rising to £52,381 after one year and £52,724 after two years, subject to approval.
• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 29 days with qualifying service, plus bank holidays and three additional days in December.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.7% employer contribution.
• Hybrid working up to three days per week following probation, subject to service needs.
• Free staff parking.
• Ongoing professional development and CPD opportunities.

Closing date: 14 September

Interviews: 24 and 25 September

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

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Contract Details

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Working Hours

37

Salary

£51,038 per annum

Job Category

Administrative/Clerical

Location

Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells