Collections Care Manager

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Collections Care professional to join a dedicated and experienced collections team at Birmingham Museums Trust.

You will lead the management and development of the most important civic museum collection in England, ensuring we deliver high standards in documentation, storage, loans and conservation.

You will have responsibility for the management and strategic development of our Museum Collections Centre, with the exciting opportunity to develop new, long term storage plans for the collection.

Birmingham Museums Trust is responsible for an extraordinary range of cultural assets including nine unique museum sites and over 800,000 objects, from the earliest fossils and James Watt's engines to 21st century conceptual art.

Our vision is to reflect Birmingham to the world and the world to Birmingham.

If you want to be part of this dynamic and thriving charity please apply today!

If you feel you have the right skills for the role, please visit our website and complete an application form and submit to recruitment@birminghammuseums.org.uk

The closing date for this position is the 12th September 2016.

Job Description

Job title: Collections Care Manager
Reporting to: Director of Collections

Direct Reports:
- Collections Team Leader
- Conservation Team Leader

Area of responsibility:

Working within the Collections directorate, the Collections Care Manager is accountable for the overall management and care of the collection.

Also accountable for the management and development of the Museum Collections Centre

Accountabilities:
1. The management of Birmingham Museums Trust's collection; leading collections development, documentation, storage, loans, insurance and conservation to meet Accreditation standards
2. Leadership and management of the Collections Care team to enable effective day to day operations, ensuring that it is engaged with the sector and delivers best practice
3. The management and strategic development of the Museum Collections Centre (MCC) including health & safety on site.
4. The management of the Collections Care budget.

Key Responsibilities:
1. To lead the management of BMT's collection, including benchmarks in collections care, storage, collection insurance, object movement, documentation, cataloguing and associated collections management procedures
2. To lead the management and development of preventive and interventive conservation programmes, ensuring that relevant data relating to environment, standards, conservation practice, analysis and so forth is effectively recorded and reported as required
3. Strategic and operational management of the MCC, including responsibility for health and safety on site and supporting security operations on site
4. To support and manage major future developments concerning the storage and development of the collection
5. Ensuring the Collections Care team provide effective and efficient access to stored collections for staff, researchers and the general public
6. Ensure that the Collections Care team deliver excellent customer service to all BMT sites
7. Ensure that all Collections Care team activities and operations are undertaken in accordance with the highest standards of Health & Safety, including but not limited to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and risk assessments, manual handling and Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR)
8. To develop income generating programmes in relation to collections care, including contracted conservation services, national training programmes and delivery of other collection services
9. Ensure that all collections care equipment is managed and maintained to the required standards, with staff receiving the appropriate levels of training to use such equipment
10. Work closely with the Director of Collections to prepare annual budgets for Collections Care activities, ensuring that all expenditure is kept within agreed budgets, is properly authorised and documented, and material or services are procured in accordance with BMT financial procedures
11. Advise the Director of Collections on the development and lending of BMT's collection within the context of the agreed Lending, Acquisitions and Disposals Policy, and ensure that loans adhere to BMT's lending procedures
12. Support the Collections Care team to answer public enquires about the collection, undertaking collections documentation and developing both display and collections storage.
13. Ensure collection records and documentation are maintained in accordance with SPECTRUM standards.
14. Oversee the maintenance and development of the Collection Management System to meet BMT's requirements and develop improved online access to the collection.
15. Ensure that appropriate procedures are in place for the loan of items from the collection in accordance with the Lending, Acquisitions and Disposals Policy.
16. Support the development of exhibitions, collection displays, capital and major development projects in relation to Collections Care
17. Ensure the collections care team supports and undertakes new research in relation to the BMT's collection as part of its wider research strategy.
18. Advise on and oversee the care and management of public art which falls under BMT's responsibility.
19. HR: including conducting monthly performance reviews, annual appraisals and other such performance reviews as may become necessary; managing holidays, illness and other issues arising; recruitment, induction and development of all new staff members.
20. Contribute towards funding applications as required
21. Contribute towards strategic direction as required
22. Observe all health and safety regulations and requirements relating to the duties of the post and in accordance with health and safety legislation, observing the child protection measures applicable by law
23. To undertake all duties in accordance with BMT's equal opportunities policy

All of the above is not an exhaustive list of duties and the postholder will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by their changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria, Desirable Criteria

Qualification
Essential - Degree in relevant discipline
Essential - Postgraduate conservation, related qualification or an Accredited Conservator (ACR)
Desirable - Postgraduate qualification in museum studies or an equivalent level of experience

Experience and Knowledge
Essential - Substantial experience and knowledge of working with and managing museum collections (not likely to be less than 5 years)
Essential - Substantial experience and knowledge of developing and implementing collections conservation strategies that meet Accreditation standards
Essential - Knowledge of collection management procedures that meet Accreditation standards
Essential - Proven ability to lead, inspire and motivate staff and volunteers
Essential - Experience and knowledge of Health & Safety procedures relevant to collections management and conservation
Essential - Experience of project management, including a good knowledge of budget planning and monitoring.
Desirable - Demonstrable interest and understanding of one or more areas of BMT's collections
Desirable - Experience and knowledge of working with collection management systems
Desirable - Track record in publishing research and contributing to conferences, professional networks and forums relating to collection care

Skills
Essential - Excellent organisational skills, ability to work with initiative, prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.
Essential - Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate to a wide variety of people.
Essential - IT literate and familiar with the use of MS office and databases

Aptitude
Essential - Innovative and creative approach to projects
Essential - A flexible approach to work, able to undertake a range of activities meeting tight deadlines for complex projects
Essential - Able to communicate with a wide variety of people

Circumstances
Essential - Available to work flexibly, including weekends, evenings and bank holidays
Essential - Able to travel throughout the area to visit other BMT sites
Desirable - Driving License and ability to drive a small van
Desirable - Full valid driving licence and use of a roadworthy vehicle insured for business use

Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Essential - Fully understands their role in the context of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults
Essential - Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children, young people and vulnerable adults

Equal Opportunities
Essential - An understanding of Equal Opportunities
Essential - Demonstrable interest and understanding of one or more areas of BMT's collections
Essential - Experience and knowledge of working with collection management systems
Essential - Track record in publishing research and contributing to conferences, professional networks and forums relating to collection care