Curator (Collections Development)

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Key Information

Job Title:  Curator (Collections Department)

Band 2

Salary:  £33,360 - £40,370

Contract:  Permanent/Full Time/ Plus Hybrid

Location: LTM 20 Cranbourn Street, London, WC2H 7AA

Application closing date:  Thursday 04th December @ 23:59

About London Transport Museum (LTM)

Based in Covent Garden, we are the world’s leading museum of urban transport and an award-winning day out. But that’s just part of our story. We are passionate. We are curious. We are adventurous.

As a heritage and education charity, we reach every primary school in the capital to fire the imaginations of tomorrow’s engineers, designers, scientists, and arts enthusiasts. With business partners and industry decision-makers, we tackle the topics that matter to London, from smart cities to green innovation.

We want to close skills gaps, redress gender imbalances and create opportunities for under-represented and disadvantaged communities.

We want to ignite curiosity to shape the future.

At LTM we welcome children, young people and adults at risk as Museum visitors and through engagement projects. We take safeguarding our visitors seriously and ensure all our staff and volunteers are DBS checked, regularly trained, and feel confident following our thorough safeguarding procedures. At LTM, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Overview of role

To work on the management, development and interpretation of the Museum's collection to recognised museum professional standards. This will include acquisition and occasional disposal, documentation, care and storage and research and interpretation of collections for public display, in gallery and online, aiming to maximise public access, learning, engagement and enjoyment of the collections.

This post will have a remit to provide well developed knowledge and expertise on the Museum's collections and subject area more broadly.

There are five Curator roles in the team, each with a particular focus. Each Curator reports to a relevant Senior Curator.

This role has a particular focus on content and collections development. This includes involvement in exhibition and gallery content, undertaking research and object/content selection, writing interpretative text and preparing and installing objects. The role also involves producing content for a variety of other outputs, including the LTM website and publications. The post holder will work across the Museum's collections, advising on their use and licensing for internal and external parties. The post holder will also play a significant role in developing our collections.

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of storage, documentation, presentation, movement and access arrangements for the Museum collections to recognised museum sector professional standards
• Develop the collections in accordance with the Collections Development Policy, making recommendations on acquisition and disposal to the Collections Development Group, and undertaking practical arrangements following group decisions
• Caring for the collections to recognised professional museum standards, including maintenance of auditable records using the Museum’s IMS (Information Management System), housing the collections in secure and appropriate environmental conditions, and identifying and addressing their conservation needs and, where appropriate, their operational requirements
• Under overall management of the relevant Senior Curator, oversee collections conservation, restoration and operational maintenance projects including commissioning and supervising the work of specialist contractors and volunteers
• Develop and manage collections-based partnership projects with a range of stakeholders under direction of the relevant Senior Curator and Head Curator
• Interpret and present the Museum’s collections and themes for stakeholders and the wider public through a variety of media including talks, tours, displays, exhibitions and attendance at external events in order to promote interest in the Museum and London’s public transport. This will mean developing and maintaining an expert knowledge of London’s transport history and an understanding of current and future issues
• Answer public enquiries about the Museum's collections and subject matter, including through the Duty Curator service, and conducting research visits where appropriate
• Train, develop and share knowledge with colleagues as part of a learning culture that values continuous improvement and staff development across the museum. Working front of house may be required on occasion

Skills

Essential

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Able to work on own initiative without supervision
• Team worker with good interpersonal skills
• Flexible and able to demonstrate a commitment to the broader objectives of the Curatorial team and the Museum
• Good IT skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Knowledge

Essential

• Education to degree level or equivalent experience
• Highly computer literate and an understanding of budgetary control and management
• Up-to-date knowledge and awareness of developments and issues in the museum sector

Desirable

• Good knowledge and understanding of London past and present
• A recognised museum and/or relevant postgraduate qualification

Experience

Essential

• Recent experience of working in a museum or related heritage sector environment
• Proven knowledge of current Museum sector standards in collections documentation, management and care
• Experience of computerised databases and museum information management systems
• Experience of working on museum interpretative projects such as exhibitions, galleries and online content

Desirable

• Experience of writing interpretative text
• Experience of managing volunteers, interns and of training others
• Experience of managing collections-based projects - such as documentation, digitisation, conservation or interpretation projects

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

This statement needs to stay in the advert

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Application Process 

Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV.

Word format preferred and please do not include any photographs or images.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 04th December @ 23:59

TfL is currently unable to provide sponsorship to candidates for this role as the Home Office’s eligibility criteria for sponsorship will not be met. TfL keeps its approach under review in line with changes to UK immigration rules. We are also unable to provide advice or guidance on individual immigration queries and advise candidates to check the Government’s website for further information.  

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow.  Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.