Head of Heritage Collections

1
A1
£63,716 per annum
Permanent
Full Time
Starting at 30 days per annum, pro-rata

4th February 2019 at 12:15

W/c 11 February 2019

The Role 

Parliament’s heritage collections are public collections in the ownership of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and are of national and international significance. They include works of art (in all their forms), furniture, decorative arts, library holdings, wallpapers and architectural fabric, costume and more.  The majority of the collections relate to the design, building, furnishing and decorating of Charles Barry’ new Palace of Westminster but also include significant holdings which both predate, and postdate the Victorian period, and include contemporary and well as historic holdings. 

Head of Heritage Collections, incorporating the post of Curator of Works of Art, is directly responsible for three significant collections, the Parliamentary Art Collection, the Historic Collections (Furniture and Decorative Arts) and the Architectural Fabric Collection, whose duty of care responsibilities are carried out by specialist teams directly managed by the postholder. The postholder is responsible for directing the activities of the three teams to ensure that targets are met, best practice observed and value for money achieved.  

The Head of Heritage Collections is also the strategic co-ordinator and specialist advisor on policy and requirements for the care and management of the House/s heritage collections (excluding Parliamentary Archives), not just those directly managed, specifically in terms of planning for the Northern Estates programme and the Restoration and Renewal programme, which will have a big impact on collections over the coming 10 to 15 years. 

You will be an expert in the field of Victorian art and design and collection management who uses their specialist knowledge to represent and promote Parliament’s heritage collections, both internally and externally, authoritatively at all levels. You will also acts as the principal adviser to the two Works of Art Committees and to other key Parliamentarians and corporate stakeholders in both Houses.

The Person

The successful candidate will have the following skills/experience:

  • Museum/Heritage professional with substantial experience of curating and collection management at senior level.
  • Must have significant experience of heritage collections decant/relocation project/s including strategic planning, change management and programming.
  • Subject specialist who can demonstrate significant knowledge of 19th and 20th century art/design history.
  • Degree in art/design history, history or related subject area.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.