Touring Exhibitions Collections Coordinator

Vacancy reference: KR/NHM/TECC
Location: South Kensington
Employment type: Permanent
Area of business: International Engagement
Closing date: 06/05/2015

Role description:
This is a new role to join a growing Touring Exhibitions section of the Museum’s International Engagement Department. The Touring Exhibitions Collections Coordinator will oversee the planning and installation of the Natural History Museum’s collections at venues worldwide, as well as assisting with the formulation and execution of related touring exhibition procedures. This role will include extensive global travel to hosting venues. Reporting into the Touring Exhibitions Operations Manager, the role holder will manage object loans to hosting venues by liaising with external stakeholders and service providers, as well as other sections of the Museum, such as Central Registry, Conservation, Content Production, Heads of Collections, Curatorial, and Security.

The successful candidate must be experienced in object handling and have excellent interpersonal skills. Strong organisational, forward planning and problem-solving skills are essential, as is a keen attention to detail. Candidates must additionally have sound knowledge of international standards for museum collections, be proficient with computer software (such as Excel and File Maker Pro, with experience of KeEMu also desirable), and ideally have extensive experience working with collections on tour, including experience of packing, transportation and exhibition installation.

Salary: £26,823 per annum plus benefits

Contract: Permanent Appointment

Closing Date: Midnight on Wednesday 6 May 2015

Role competences:
BEFORE beginning your application - Please read the section below about the ‘Online Application Process’ carefully.

If you wish to be considered for this role you will need to address each of the following competences in the ‘other information’ section of your online application:
1. Educated to a degree level (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant natural history subject, fine art, museum studies, museum conservation or related discipline
2. Experience of handling, documenting, and packing a variety of museum objects
3. In-depth familiarity with, and good working knowledge of, international standards for the management and care of museum collections
4. Good working knowledge of international requirements for touring objects worldwide
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work successfully with a wide-range of different teams within the Touring Exhibitions department and across the Museum
6. Excellent planning and organisation skills
7. Demonstrable understanding of the logistics and practicalities of touring exhibitions, ideally combined with experience of touring museum collections, including transportation and exhibition installation
8. Experience of client and stakeholder management; providing a high quality of service and advice to ensure smooth delivery of projects
9. Proven understanding of establishing health and safety frameworks, including risk assessment and operating procedures
10. Knowledge of, and ideally experience in, budget management, including establishing cost estimates
11. Strong attention to detail, combined with the ability to remain calm under pressure and solve problems efficiently and effectively
12. Proficient with computer software (such as Excel and File Maker Pro; with experience of KeEMu also desirable)

Online application process:
You are required to provide a response to ALL of the role competences listed above within the ‘Other Information’ section of the online application form (up to 140 words per competence). In order to demonstrate how you meet each competence fully, please provide specific examples from your achievements, knowledge, skills and/or experience.

IMPORTANT: The ‘Other Information’ section will ‘timeout’ after 35 minutes and any information not saved during this time will be lost. Please therefore prepare your answers on a separate document before transferring and saving them to your application.

The ‘Additional Questions’ regarding right to work in the UK and age are mandatory questions and any applications received without these answers will not be considered.

Please review your application fully before pressing ‘submit application’ as you will not be able to make any further amends after submitting, and any applications received which have not addressed ALL competences in full and/or the mandatory questions will be rejected.

Please note that CVs will not be accepted outside of the online application process or as a substitute for completion of the competences.

The attached ‘Role Specification’ provides further information on the role and how to apply.

Please also be aware that we are not able to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this role. If you do not have the right to work in the UK without a visa sponsored by NHM, then unfortunately you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy.