Do you have substantial experience of developing collections and communicating them in innovative ways? Are you able to lead and motivate a team effectively to deliver results and promote an open and inclusive culture?
About us
The Science Museum Group (SMG) is here to inspire futures. As part of this world-leading collective, the National Science and Media Museum explores the culture of image and sound technologies and their impact on our lives. It holds internationally significant collections of film, television, photographic and sound technologies as well as extensive library and archive collections. As well as maintaining and developing its historic collections, the museum has ambitions to collect more contemporary and digital material, as well as developing innovative, collaborative modes of collecting.
The museum has an exciting strategic vision, delivered through its masterplan, that will see it become an internationally recognised museum, while retaining a strong sense of place and relevance for its local communities. Over the coming three years the Museum will undergo significant transformation, delivering two new permanent galleries to showcase its world-class collections, a new lift and redevelopment of the visitor entrance.
We are now looking for a Head Curator to join our expanding Curatorial team at the National Science and Media Museum in the heart of Bradford – the new City of Culture for 2025! This role is a permanent contract, working 35 hours per week.
About the role
As Head Curator you will play a pivotal leadership role in National Science and Media Museum’s senior leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making across all areas. You will lead the Curatorial and Archives team to ensure work is delivered in line with museum priorities and to shape the museum’s narrative through exhibitions, events and public programmes, increasing physical and intellectual access to the collections.
As well as developing our historic collections, you will champion our ambitions to research and collect more contemporary materials, working collaboratively with key academic and industrial partners, particularly in areas such as the digital and creative industries.
Working closely with curatorial colleagues across SMG, you will share knowledge and expertise, maximising the impact of being part of the world’s leading group of science museums. Together with the Curatorial and Collections Services senior leaders at other SMG museums, you will be leading a drive towards a shared approach to collections development, ensuring we draw effectively on the skills and expertise of colleagues across SMG and beyond.
As a key contributor in the ambitious development of the museum, you will take a strategic lead in the delivery of two new permanent galleries – the Sound & Vision project – ensuring the narratives and content align with our vision and ambitions and showcase the very best of our collections.
This is a fantastic opportunity to become a key part of the leadership team at the National Science and Media Museum at an exciting time for both the museum and the city of Bradford as a whole.
About you
Joining us you will have the ability to enthuse colleagues, partners and stakeholders, and be prepared to drive change where needed. You will have substantial experience of developing collections and communicating them in innovative ways, in addition to being able to devise narratives and lead others towards a narrative vision.
You will have experience of leading and motivating successful teams to deliver great results, whilst managing resources and budgets effectively. You will use your enthusiasm to work in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment to promote an inclusive and open culture within your team and beyond.
Due to the collaborative nature of this position, you will have good interpersonal skills and demonstrable experience of advocacy and stakeholder management. Crucially, you will have the confidence and skill to influence and negotiate effectively at senior level, both with internal colleagues and external stakeholders and organisations.
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
The Science Museum Group (SMG) is here to inspire futures. As the world’s leading group of science museums, we share our unparalleled collection spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine with over five million visitors each year. Joining us as an employee, you will have the opportunity to develop your career in a world-class museum group. We know work/life balance and wellbeing is crucial to our colleagues, so we currently offer up to 25 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays; BUPA medical and dental care; employee assistance programme; enhanced contributory pension; enhanced occupational sick, maternity, paternity and adoption leave and career breaks.
‘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. As a national museum group, we have an ability to reach a wide and diverse population of audiences, colleagues and partners through our geography and scale.
We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to foster 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 and ultimately will be able to inspire more futures. We therefore welcome applications from those who bring difference.
