Head of Information, Research & Culturally Sensitive Collections

Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library. We believe everyone’s experience of health matters. Through our collections, exhibitions and events, in books and online, we explore the past, present and future of health. Wellcome Collection opened in 2007 and currently welcomes around 400k visitors per year, with over 4m online visits. We care for many thousands of items relating to health, medicine and human experience, including rare books, artworks, films and videos, personal archives and objects. We’re part of Wellcome, a charitable foundation supporting science to help build a healthier future for everyone.

You will be leading the Information, Research and Culturally Sensitive Collections team within the Collections, Research and Digital Directorate. You’ll report to the Associate Director of Collections and Digital. The Information, Research and Culturally Sensitive Collections team comprises expert teams responsible for delivering Wellcome Collection’s varied research and sensitive collections work, and Collections Information practice. They are responsible for: the management, metadata, and systemic organisation of collections; developing new knowledge and understanding of collections through innovation and equitable research programmes; and approaches towards working with culturally sensitive collections, including restitution, repatriation and knowledge exchange, that results in positive outcomes for communities of origin.

You will be a vital member of Wellcome Collection’s newly formed leadership team that will oversee the running of the museum and library, working closely with the Directorate and Wellcome’s Executive Committee. You will oversee collections information, research and culturally sensitive collections processes and outcomes for Wellcome Collection, translate and prioritise the Strategic Plan with managers to deliver against Wellcome and Wellcome Collections’ mission delivery. This role is critical in guiding key teams within the Collections, Research and Digital department through a period of change as we embark on a new strategic plan and capital project that will see Wellcome Collection grow in ambition and scale.

As Head of Information, Research and Culturally Sensitive Collections, you will:

• Lead the team managers to ensure strategic alignment to Wellcome Collection’s vision and mission, and that Wellcome Collection’s Strategic Plan is embedded across Collections Information, Research and Culturally Sensitive Collections.
• Provide leadership and advocacy for expert teams responsible for delivering Wellcome Collection’s varied research and sensitive collections work, and Collections Information practice. Particular focus will be on: designing and implementing a new research strategy; establishing an internal research network; and fostering an environment within which innovative and progressive collections information and sensitive collections practice can become embedded.
• Increase the visibility and accountability for collections information and research practice, including developing data-informed diversification of research communities, leading on implementing improvement actions from Archive Service Accreditation and similar long-term strategic ambitions.
• Approach collections information, research and sensitive collections work from a human-centred perspective, placing our audiences, communities and stakeholders at the core of the way we think about these disciplines and the knowledge we create and capture for them.

We are looking for exceptional leaders with experience in developing and managing significant, multi-format collections and research programmes, within archives, library or museums.

• Do you have proven experience in managing uncertainty, change, and sensitive issues, and achieving positive outcomes with a high degree of probity and integrity?
• Are you able to communicate to and influence a range of audiences including executive and non-executive board members, and stakeholders across the arts, cultural and research sectors?
• Do you have a personal commitment to equitable practice across access, diversity and inclusion and an understanding of how to embed these commitments into collections services?

If this criteria resonates with your skills and experience, we encourage you to apply. To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience of managing culturally sensitive research and collections work that resulted in positive outcomes for communities of origin.
• Demonstrable experience of influencing senior stakeholders including executive and non-executive board members, and national or international policy bodies on archival and/or research issues that have resulted in strategic changes at a sector level.
• Appropriate management experience in an archive, library or museum with responsibility for developing and managing significant, multi-format collections and research programmes, with a strong understanding of the need for coherent digital services and the vital role digital plays in driving increased accessibility.
• Demonstrable experience of providing leadership and strategic impact in collections returns work. This must include, but is not limited to: restitution, repatriation and knowledge exchange with communities of origin, and the legal and ethical frameworks that govern this work.

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.