We are pleased to share this Call for Applications for the post of Curator at the Manchester Jewish Museum. Deadline for applications is September 21.
It will be a permanent job, 21 hours a week. The key role is to lead on the management, interpretation, care and growth of the museum’s collection. As a member of the senior management team, the Curator will share responsibility for delivering the museum’s strategic plans and objectives, collaborating closely with colleagues on marketing, commercial, fundraising, programming and financial activities.
Click here for the full call, and how to apply.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The curator will lead on collections operations with the following core responsibilities:
INTERPRETATION
- Maintain and develop the museum’s permanent exhibitions.
- Plan, curate and install temporary exhibitions inspired by our collections themes of Journeys, Communities and Identities.
- Work with freelance technicians to manage exhibition installation.
- Support the Programming Team in curation of community exhibitions.
- Ensure the Welcome Desk and Guide Volunteers are knowledgeable about all aspects of gallery interpretation.
- Work with the Programming Team to develop the events programme.
- Work with the café team to support menu development and helping link the items we serve to stories from our collection.
- Develop and deliver interpretive aspects of museum programming, such as Heritage Walks and ‘Gallery Pop Ups’
- Work with Marketing and Communications Manager to produce regular social media collections stories.
- Conduct talks about the museum and collection on request to social groups and societies.
- Represent the museum at conferences and industry meetings.
COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT
- Care for the museum’s 35,000 strong collection and our Grade 2* Listed Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue building.
- Develop policies relating to collections management and conservation.
- Manage the on-site and off-site stores, ensuring high standards of storage and object handling are maintained.
- Maintain collections management systems to accreditation standards. Ensuring objects are accessible, records are up to date and conservation issues documented on MODES database.
- Liaise with Arts Council England to ensure that Museums Accreditation is maintained.
- Manage and ensure the care of loans from individuals and other galleries and museums.
- Assess conservation requirements and commission appropriate work.
- Supervise collection volunteers.
- Respond to enquiries relating to the collection.
- Facilitate researcher access to the collection.
- Deal with all new acquisitions in line with the Acquisitions Policy.
- Work with CEO and Finance Manager to ensure appropriate insurance arrangements are in place, including appropriate valuations.
- Research Manchester Jewish history to enhance knowledge of the collection.
- Continue work towards development of an online collections catalogue.
- Facilitate relationships with individuals and organisations in the academic sector, exploring opportunities for partnership working.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
- Represent the Collections Department on the Senior Management Team.
- Update quarterly KPIs and oversee Collections and Interpretation budget.
- Supervise Guiding Volunteer Team, ensure good communication with all volunteers.
- Manage volunteer rota and the training and recruitment of new volunteers.
- Represent the museum during press interviews and enquires.
- Perform role of Duty Manager on a rotation basis, holding responsibility for the smooth running of the building and operations.
- Engage in weekend and evening work where necessary.
- Work with other staff and Trustees to fundraise and generate income for the museum and its collections.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EXPERIENCE
- A recognised collections care qualification, or equivalent (paid or voluntary) collections care experience, including caring for and handling accessioned objects, caring for a heritage building, developing and installing exhibitions, writing interpretive text and delivering talks or presentations.
- Experience of using collections management software.
- Experience of supervising volunteers.
- Experience of fundraising and bid writing.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong people and performance management skills.
- Highly developed planning and organisational skills and the ability to deliver to tight deadlines even when under pressure.
- Ability to work as part of a management team and on own initiative.
- Passionate about social change and able to work respectfully, sensitively and ethically with the museum’s diverse communities.
- Adaptable with a proactive approach to problem solving. Taking a leading role in ensuring your areas of responsibility are responsive to change and happy to support across all areas of museum operation when needed.
- Strong IT, analytical and numerical skills.
KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of accreditation standards and current best practice in the field of collections and building care.
- Existing knowledge or willingness to build deep knowledge of Manchester’s Jewish communities and their history, faith and culture.
- Knowledge of and interest in the arts and heritage sector.