Job vacancy – Museum Manager at West Midlands Police Museum

Role: Museum Manager
Grade: Band D Lower
Salary: £29,064-£35,481
Closing Date:11 November 2020
 
The Role
 
Do you have experience of working with museum collections and bringing their stories to life in new and compelling ways? If so why not come and join our new look West Midlands Police Museum?
 
Following the force’s success in securing a major National Lottery Heritage Fund award, a new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a Museum Manager, responsible for the day to day running of the museum.

Plans will shortly be underway to start work on transforming the Victorian cells at the former Steelhouse Lane Lock-up in Birmingham, into a showcase for the city, telling the stories of prisoners and staff – including the real ‘Peaky Blinders’.

As well as bringing to life our compelling history, the museum will also display some of the latest tech we have available. Working alongside the Heritage Manager, the Museum Manager will be responsible for running a small team including an Engagement Officer, Heritage Assistants and a large number of volunteers who give up their free time to help keep the force’s history alive. 
 
Key Responsibilities 
  • Recruit, train, manage and co ordinate volunteers, whilst ensuring there is volunteer cover at events and meetings.
  • Be directly accountable for all volunteers who will be interacting with members of the public and back of house staff working on archives and the collection
  • Maintain and carry out a schedule of activities to preserve the museum collection
  • Co-ordinate maintenance activities within the Lock-up, overseeing and prioritising works
  • Conduct health and safety walk-throughs, identifying action required and co-ordinating this through to the relevant department
  • Contribute to the social media activities of the museum and add content to the website
  • Carry out activities to progress and maintain the accreditation of the West Midlands Police Museum
  • Review customer feedback and report back key themes an proactively identify areas for improvement 
  • Oversee the majority of events taking place at the Lock-up, ensuring attendance at key or high value events, participating in activities when required and ensuring a high quality visitor experience is achieved
  • Work with colleagues across the force, to develop inputs and messages aimed at for example, primary schools, young offenders, Prince’s Trust groups to deliver crime prevention/safety messages and intervention work
  • Manage day-to-day budgets regarding purchasing shop stock, reimbursing expenses and preserving the collection 
  • Schedule events which contribute to generating funding
  • Lead, manage and deliver museum specific projects when required
  • Work with stakeholders and funders to ensure the museum is accessible to all communities
  • Actively engage the front of house team to deliver excellent customer service and provide exceptional visitor experiences
  • Most importantly, you must have a passion for museums and culture with the belief that they can change lives.
What you’ll get in return
We offer an extensive benefits package including:

  • Competitive salary
  • Agile and flexible working in a modern working environment
  • Excellent employee benefits programme
  • Access to WMP clubs & associations
  • Travel discounts
  • Childcare vouchers

Essential Experience


• You must be able to demonstrate a knowledge of collection preservation and experience of working in an environment with responsibility for preservation.
• Have experience of leading a team and motivating staff
• Ability and confidence to deliver talks and presentations
• Experience of working in a customer focused environment
• Health and safety management experience
• Experience and a flair for event planning

Desirable Experience

• Ideally you will have some knowledge of the policing heritage of the West Midlands, including the museum collection
• A qualification in collections care or museum management would be preferable
 
Conditions
The role is based in Birmingham city centre and you will work a 36.5 hour week. From time to time you may be required to work at various locations within the West Midlands Police Force area.

Interviews will take place in Birmingham on 18 and 19 November 2020.

West Midlands Police are currently undertaking a long term review of staff pay and conditions. The grade, pay and other terms of employment are therefore subject to review and may change in the future. 
 
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader – the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme – all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

 

“Diversity and Inclusion Vision:  Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities”