Introduction to AIM
The Association of Independent Museums is a thriving UK museum membership organisation with over 1000 museum members. We represent a wide range of the UK’s museum and heritage organisations, from some of the largest attractions in the country to small, grassroots heritage organisations across a huge range of subject areas and localities. AIM helps heritage organisations prosper. We believe that museums must grow to fulfil their purpose and demonstrate the relevance of heritage to everyone.
AIM Higher
A key focus for AIM support to members is good governance. We believe that this is key to a well-run, successful museum and yet being a trustee can often feel very daunting. Since 2018, funded by our Arts Council England NPO funding, AIM has been offering practical, hands-on support to museum boards and trustees through our AIM Higher programme.
Participating organisations receive two days of support from a specialist consultant who works with them to identify and address areas for development. In 2021 we supported museums with:
- Building an effective board
- Governance review
- Closing a museum
- Succession planning
- Clarifying vision, mission and values
- Strategic planning
- Transition to a solely volunteer led organisation
- Business planning for a new museum
- Mediation with key stakeholders
AIM Higher consultants
Through our AIM Higher programme we provide the opportunity for participants to work with consultants who are trusted specialists in their area of expertise. AIM already works with a pool of highly experienced and qualified consultants and we wish to expand this pool.
We are looking for consultants who have considerable and demonstrable experience in supporting good governance. In particular we would be interested if you have experience of any of the following:
- Reviewing governance documents, setting up a charity, changing a charitable form
- A good understanding of the workings of the Charity Commission
- Turning round a museum that was struggling
- Developing and implementing a successful and sustainable business model for a museum or similar organisation
- Mediation, resolution of difficult relationships, providing support in challenging circumstances
- Successfully recruiting new trustees
- Developing strategy and vision
Experience of the following would also be beneficial:
- Supporting and mentoring a wide range of organisations. This must include the type of organisation that makes up the majority of AIM members who fall into our “small museums” membership category.
- An understanding of the museums and heritage sector, in particular the type of organisations that make up AIM’s small museum category or experience supporting small organisations in a related sector.
Contract Management
There is a fee of £650 per day including VAT and travel. Most consultancies are delivered virtually.
The role is freelance and the contractor will need to be able to work from home and provide their own IT and office equipment.
AIM has a standard self-employed contractor agreement.
The contractors will report to the AIM Head of Programmes.
We cannot guarantee how much work we may commission in a year.
How to apply for this role
Please tell us, in not more than 2 pages, about:
- What skills and experience you would bring to the role, specifically addressing the criteria listed above
- One case study that is directly relevant to one of the areas listed above
- Please provide 2 referees
We are only looking to recruit a small number of consultants. Please only apply if you can demonstrate considerable experience in the areas listed above. We will not accept applications by CV only.
If accepted to the pool we try to allocate projects evenly but this does depend on the needs of participants.
Proposals should be sent to AIM Head of Programmes, Margaret Harrison [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 28 April.