Curator Manager – British Schools Museum

Do you want to help an innovative museum thrust forward to new heights?

Are you looking for a role that will challenge and develop you?

Do you love the possibility of helping a community-based museum engage with new audiences, while enhancing the customer experience and providing a meaningful volunteering offer?

Then the British Schools Museum is you!

The British Schools Museum (Hitchin, Hertfordshire) offers the space for people to explore and learn. Our staff and volunteers ensure that all visitors have a wonderful time as they find out about the history of education, take part in our experience days, or browse items at our Craft Fairs. We have a rolling events programme to suit everyone’s interests, such as: regular Victorians Live! days, the Hitchin Children’s Book Festival, the Haunted Headmaster’s House at Halloween, and the Winter Wonderland at Christmas.

You will join a dedicated team of 150 volunteers and 2 other paid staff (including an Assistant Curator who you shall help recruit), and you shall have overall responsibility for the management of the museum areas. Bringing significant experience of working in the museum sector, as a mid-career candidate you will be able to recruit and manage volunteers, use KPIs and other targets to drive business areas (including collections, retail, formal and informal learning programmes, room hire and events), you shall manage improvements in the customer experience both on site and online. You shall be able to confidently work with the Board of Trustees, helping to develop the future of the museum and maintain Accredited Museum status.

As a learning organisation, the Board will offer the support and opportunity to develop, including participation on a bespoke Institute of Leadership and Management run by the museum. This will suit someone who is willing to learn, able to work with diverse groups of people, and who is really wants to make a difference to customers’ experiences.

The museum is a fun place to work and, historically, plays an important role in the history of universal education: the Grade II/II*-listed buildings include the last remaining Monitorial schoolroom in the world, created by our founder, Joseph Lancaster. We are currently open to general visitors Fridays-Sunday, 10.00-16.00, except during event periods where these hours are extended. Additionally, we welcome over 80 schools each year, offering them unrivalled immersive learning experiences. School holidays provide opportunities for informal learning for families and other audiences.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Deadline: 12noon Thursday 14 October
Interviews: Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 October

Please send your CV and covering letter to the Chair of the Board of Trustees E: [email protected], stating why they would be the best person for the role, and whether you have a preferred interview date. For an informal discussion, please contact the Chair of the Board via: T: 078 0246 3959.