A hugely exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of Curator at the Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset. As one of the leading museums and visitor attractions in the South West, with over 125,000 visitors annually, you will be joining a dynamic and engaged team of over 120 staff and volunteers.
The Museum has over 400 vehicles and as a charity it has three core aims: preservation, restoration and education. The Museum also operates several businesses that donate all of their profits to support these charitable aims. It is essential that the successful candidate can collaborate across the organisation in order to help deliver the Museum’s strategic plan.
Role Summary
Preserving our Collection and the knowledge that surrounds it sits at the core of the Museum’s mission and this exciting role is responsible for the research, interpretation and documentation of the core collection and organisational history.
Preserving our Collection and the knowledge that surrounds it sits at the core of the Museum’s mission and this exciting role is responsible for the research, interpretation and documentation of the core collection and organisational history.
The successful candidate will bring professional curatorial experience to the Collections Department in helping us deliver the strategic plan and ambitions of the Museum both within our walls and beyond the gates.
We are looking for an innovative, enthusiastic and motivated museum professional to be our subject specialist, knowing the Collection inside and out, and able to preserve that information for the next custodians of our Museum.
The successful candidate must be proactive and keen to work in our fast paced work environment. They’ll strive to deliver a culture of exceptional service, ensuring our visitors and partners always have the best possible experience.
Key tasks
• Object and collection based research which will contribute to the Collections Management System, historic files, interpretation and online content.
• Take ownership of the Collections Development Policy (once approved by the Board): advising on decisions around loans, acquisitions and disposals as well as managing the process.
• Documentation of the inward loans, dedicating time to building relationships with lenders and resolving backlog.
• Administration and management of loans out.
• Working closely with the Documentation Officer (once in post) in the effective delivery of their project.
• Playing an active role in Museum Accreditation application and thereafter review.
• Playing a key role in shaping and delivery of the strategic plan for both the Collections Department and the wider Museum.
• Timely and well-researched responses to researchers, academics and enthusiasts, facilitating use of the Archive and actively promoting this as a resource.
• Active member of the project team for exhibitions leading on research and delivery of quality and innovative content.
• Supporting, training and leading the Archive volunteers.
• Oral history lead with proactive collection of memories from within the organisation, as well as lenders and donors of the collection.
• Developing and delivery of talks and tours.
• Media representative for the Museum as subject specialist.
• Supplying quality content for website, marketing and communications.
• Disseminating research by publishing and presenting papers.
• Raising awareness of the curatorial profession by promoting expertise and highlighting the contribution it makes to Museum wide objectives.
• Representing the Museum by networking with peers and professionals.
Qualifications
• An undergraduate degree or evidence of relevant experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
Key skills and experience
• Significant knowledge across two or more of the following areas: motoring history, transport, technology, social history, history of design.
• Experience in commissioning, undertaking and disseminating research.
• Self-motivated and reliable, with a clear focus on reaching deadlines on time and on budget.
• First-class written and spoken communication skills and the confidence to engage and work effectively with a range of people, including the public, project partners and colleagues.
• Successful track record of leading high quality and creative interpretation approaches and content development.
• Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail on documentation and compliance tasks.
• Ability to take an informed and holistic approach to conservation management.
• Knowledge of current best practice in relation to the care and management of collections, including Museum Accreditation standards.
• Demonstrable experience in mentoring others to develop their curatorial capability.
• Experience of building relationships and of working collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders in order to deliver curatorial outcomes.
• Ability to work at pace and be decisive, prioritising work and activity based on organisational need.
Hours, Culture and Structure
The role of Curator is active with time is shared between the office, archive and Museum floor, but the successful candidate will be expected to attend networking events, conferences and visit other museums and archives.
The open plan office is busy and all staff are engaged and supportive with a “Nothing is too much trouble” approach. The role will involve some weekend working and duty management as part of the operational team.
The Curator reports directly to the Collections Director working on a daily basis alongside the collections team, interacting across all departments of the Museum and associated Limited Company businesses.
Salary
Commensurate to experience.
How to Apply
Please submit the following by email to Sara Lackford: sara.lackford@himm.co.uk by Monday 10th June 2019:
• A copy of your CV, with your work history in reverse chronological order i.e. your most recent employment first.
• A covering letter outlining clearly how you match the key skills and key tasks listed above (maximum one page size 12 font).
• A covering letter outlining clearly how you match the key skills and key tasks listed above (maximum one page size 12 font).
For more information about the role and the museum please click here
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