Salary – competitive
Location – Edinburgh
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe, with a growing international reputation for successfully delivering significant cultural, social, educational and economic impact. Our diverse collection is an important resource historically, culturally and intellectually which we seek to share as widely as possible, through our local, national and international reach. Numbering over 12 million objects and built up over 200 years, our remarkable multi-disciplinary collection brings together natural sciences, decorative arts, design and fashion, world cultures, science and technology, and Scottish history and archaeology.
Inspired by the objects in our collections and the stories they hold, we help our millions of visitors make meaningful connections between themselves and the world. We are inclusive, developing opportunities to encourage participation and engaging with a wide range of audiences through outreach and imaginative public programming.
Our four museums are: the National Museum of Scotland, the most visited attraction in the UK outside London with 2.2 million visitors in 2019; the National Museum of Flight; the National Museum of Rural Life; and the National War Museum; as well as the National Museums Collection Centre, an internationally significant facility for collections research, conservation and scientific research laboratories, taxidermy, access and storage.
As a national centre of excellence, we play a key role in supporting the museum community across Scotland, offering advice and support, and enhancing and developing collections expertise through training, targeted projects and partnerships.
We are now seeking exceptional candidates for the role of Director of Collections. Following the appointment of Dr Chris Breward to the Director’s role in Spring 2020, National Museums Scotland are looking ahead to build on past successes and to further extend the organisation’s profile, reach and abilities.
Reporting to the Director, the Director of Collections will provide strategic leadership and a compelling vision for the development, preservation, access to and use of the collections of National Museums Scotland. The post-holder will develop and sustain effective partnerships with other major museums, universities and external partners to enhance knowledge of and access to the collections and will lead the development and implementation of an effective strategy for research allied to the collections and National Museums Scotland priorities, and identify opportunities for the external funding of such activity. There are exciting opportunities for the Museum around digitisation, public access to collections, public engagement and research income generation that the post-holder will help deliver.
The successful candidate will likely bring an established profile in the museum or heritage sector. They will have relevant knowledge around research, access to collections, and best practice with regards to collection care and conservation. The post-holder will also be a high profile and inspiring leader within NMS, able to play a key strategic role as a member of the Executive Team and lead a large multidisciplinary team. They will be a compelling communicator, experienced stakeholder manager and adept partnership builder.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to National Museums Scotland on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EDKI. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Tuesday 2 March 2021.
National Museums Scotland is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from the widest possible range of people.