Whitaker Museum Lead

Job Purpose
We are are seeking a dynamic and ambitious creative lead to guide The Whitaker on its next stage of development into a larger museum and art gallery. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in taking the new interpretation forward, bringing it to life and leading on its creative direction.

The Whitaker is a forward-facing museum and art gallery that aims to foster inclusive, vibrant communities that thrive within our natural environment. We have recently undertaken a re-development of interpretation with a focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, connecting people, heritage and ideas with the past, the present and the future.

We are working to strengthen people’s rights and entitlements in terms of cultural access, education and participation in the life of the community. We are concerned with the sustainability of communities, the environment, local industries and the economy. We draw on history and heritage, to help imagine, design and begin to create the Valley we want for people and nature.

The Role
Fundamentally, we are looking for a new colleague that has a strong value base that is people focused. The Whitaker team is small, purpose-driven and agile, and our Museum Lead will need to be exceptionally well organised, flexible in approach and actions, and a great communicator.

There is an expectation that the successful candidate gains a good knowledge of the museum’s collection and will need to link the relevance of the collection with the interpretation plan.

The Whitaker’s museum accreditation is vital, and therefore the Museum Lead will need to understand these requirements, to ensure the museum maintains accreditation.

Essential Qualities
1. Possess ambition and drive to deliver an exciting programme of events to support the interpretation
2. Nurturing and developmental attitude to guide organisational culture
3. Self-starter who manages own time with minimum supervision
4. Strong commitment to positivity and creativity
5. Ability to work flexibly and responsively

Essential Knowledge and Skills
1. Evidence of knowledge of the Arts Council England Museum accreditation process
2. Evidence of creating and implementing exhibitions and supporting events
3. Experience in an arts, cultural or museum environment
4. Evidence of effective interpersonal skills, including working with a wide range of partners and beneficiaries
5. Experience of developing and managing long term plans and budgets
6. Experience of sound financial management
7. Experience of being in a supervisory capacity
8. Evidence of being solution focussed and positive contributor to a wider team.

Desirable Knowledge & Skills
1. Experience of bid writing and or fundraising

Key responsibilities
Working with The Whitaker team of staff and volunteers, under the direction of the Director, the Museum Lead will be the organisation’s creative lead for the museum, the collection and the art gallery. The main responsibilities will include to
• Act as the principal lead on the creative direction for The Whitaker
• Support the Director in order to ensure a co-ordinated approach to activity and programming.
• Lead on planning, implementation and evaluation of exhibitions
• Build relationships with key partners who will support the creative direction and integrity of the museum moving forward
• Lead on The Whitaker’s marketing and publicity
• Contribute to the museum’s business plan and economic development to ensure its future sustainability
• To oversee a programme of continuing professional development for staff, freelancers and Whitaker board members
• Continue to embrace technology and online working in order to garner potential collaborations
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures that relate to your principal area.

Service area: The Whitaker’s museum and art gallery, accreditation, exhibitions & interpretation.
Responsible to: Director of The Whitaker
Responsible for: Shop Manager, Collection/Archivist post and Museum administration.
Salary: £28,000 – £30,000 plus pension contribution
Annual leave: 25 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays (currently 8 per year). This is pro-rata for any employees working less than 37.5 hours per week.

Closing date: 12 noon on Wednesday 10 March 2021.

Interview date: Thursday 18 March via video call if Covid-19 restrictions apply.

Application: by CV and a covering letter. The covering letter should indicate why you are interested in applying for the role and how you meet the role requirements outlined above.

Informal discussions regarding the role are welcome – please email Carl Bell, Director of The Whitaker, at [email protected] to arrange a time to discuss the role.

To apply: please email your CV and covering letter to Emily Cryer at [email protected]