Accountability Profile - Collections and Research Director

Salary £65,000per annum

Band 3

Purpose

Develop and lead the strategy for all aspects of the Royal Armouries’ collections, research, academic publications and the digitisation of collections and archives.

Enhance the reputation of the collection and Royal Armouries, nationally and internationally.

Provide strategic leadership across the organisation.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

  • As a member of the Directorate, contribute to leadership, management and strategic planning processes across all sites and operations
  • Lead and inspire the academic teamto achieve their strategic and operational objectives
  • Review , improve and oversee the curatorial and collections care teams across all sites to enhance the collection, its communication to audiences and its commercial opportunities
  • Further develop the role of Honorary Historical Consultants and Curators Emeriti to enhance the academic rigour and quality of curatorial product
  • Oversee the development of all aspects of the libraries, archives and records management; their organisation, access, utility and marketing in hard copy and digitised form
  • Contribute to the development of the virtual museum
  • Report to and prepare papers for the Board of Trustees of the Royal Armouries, providing assurance of compliance with all statutory and internal procedures and policies and especially those relating to the collections
  • Ensure the academic quality and accuracy of published and interpretive materials across all media; oversee the development of the conference and seminar programme
  • Create and maintain profitable income streams related to the collection
  • Develop, maintain and advance mutually beneficial relationships with external bodies and organisations to enhance the reputation of the Royal Armouries, create research and scholarship opportunities and maximise income

Relationships

Internal

With fellow directors and senior managers in developing plans and managing budgets.

With Trustees in offering information and guidance.

External

Act as an ambassador for the museum in all external contacts, especially:

  • Other national collections
  • Regional and regimental collections
  • Trade bodies and liveries
  • Universities and colleges
  • Cultural organisations

Location

The post is based in Leeds but has responsibilities across all sites.

Reporting Line

Reports to:Director General as line manager

Responsibility to: Director General in his role as Accounting Officer

Financial responsibilities

Significant

Staff Responsibilities

Please see attached organisation chart

Hours

A full time position working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days out of 7.

Weekend, Bank Holiday and evening working will be required.

Disclosure

A Police Check and other security checks will be requested in the event of a successful application. However, a criminal record would not necessarily be a bar to employment. Any decision made would depend upon the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offence.

Applications

Application is by CV. Closing date: Friday 30th March 2012.

Interviews / assessments will take place week commencing 16th April 2012.

CV’s should be sent to:Human Resources, Royal Armouries, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT

Or by e-mail to:

Person Specification

Job Title:Collections and Research Director

Department:Collections

E = Essential for applicants to meet relevant standard

D = Desirable for applicants to meet the relevant standard

Selection Criteria

CRITERIA / STANDARD / E/D / EVIDENCE
Qualifications / M Phil in related subject
PhD in related subject or clear evidence of readiness to work towards a PhD / E
D / Application/Certificates
Application/Certificates
Work Experience / Extensive experience of leading diverse teams to deliver organisational objectives; including academics, technicians and exhibition staff
Substantial experience of working in cross functional project teams to deliver projects and objectives
Substantial body of published work in a related field
Previous experience in a collections related role
Experience of creating collections management strategies aligned to organisational objectives
Substantial experience of creating financially viable income streams
Experience of successfully managing income and expenditure budgets
Previous experience of managing teams across multiple sites / E
E
E
E
D
E
E
E / Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application
Skills and Knowledge / Extensive knowledge of statutory duties and best practice in collections management
Extensive knowledge of the history and context of arms and armour and the major national and international collections
Knowledge of Prince project management principles
Substantial knowledge of digitizing collections / E
E
D
E / Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Aptitudes / Ability to lead and inspire teams across the organisation
Ability to take decisions within own delegated area and resources
Ability to prioritise conflicting demands
Ability to work flexibly and adapt to change / E
E
E
E / Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview
Application/Interview