Heritage Project Manager

House of Commons

The House of Commons a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including: 

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year). 
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. 
• Access to training and development. 
• Flexible working. 
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan. 

Introduction 

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Heritage Collections Team (HCT). The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance (the Parliamentary Art Collection, the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection and the Architectural Fabric Collection).

The Parliamentary Art Collection is the national collection of art relating to the history and work of Parliament. Comprising over 10,000 artworks, with new works commissioned and acquired, the majority are on display across the Parliamentary Estate including paintings, sculpture, works on paper and other media ranging from ceramics to textiles, medals and political collectibles.

The Role 

The Heritage Project Manager will be required to ensure the safety and appropriate care of the Collections during major projects and programmes related to the Parliamentary Estate and related R&R preparatory projects, such as invasive surveys and decants.

You will work closely with colleagues in the Heritage Collections Team, the R&R Programme and the Project Delivery teams – who are managing these packages of work - to identify and assess the impact and/or risk to the Collections and advise on and specify appropriate mitigating measures using their professional collections care knowledge.

You will have a good working knowledge of best practice and procedures when dealing with heritage collections and be able to manage complex art handling situations, assess risk and understand conservation impact. As a Project Manager will build on, and develop, existing relationships with the R&R Project Team and others across Parliament to ensure the HCT, via specialist contractors, are equipped to respond these demanding programmes of critical works.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Act as an advocate for the Heritage Collections during the essential works programmes attending meetings, monitoring the works projects and ensuring compliance to established procedures and coordinate the protection, art handling, packing, transport, and storage of heritage collection items as required, in order to enable the programme of works in line with HCT standards.
• Work collaboratively with the Heritage Collections Registrar and Collection Management Team (and other Parliamentary teams who have custodian responsibilities for the building/its heritage contents) to identify and undertake risk assessments for the collections and specify/facilitate methods of mitigation to support the essential works projects.

Please note this role is for 4 days a week.

Skills and Experience 

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Heritage professional with proven experience of Registrar, Collections Management or Loans responsibilities within an important historic collection.
• Experience of working in a public sector museum, art gallery or historic house
• Knowledge of the standards and processes underpinning collections management with an understanding of the issues of managing projects and working directly with historic collections.
• Experience of working on large scale object moves, decants or loans and the associated work required, including a clear understanding and knowledge of the assessment and mitigation of risks to heritage assets.
• Well-developed organisational and project management skills and experience, including experience of project planning and RAMS. Contract and associated budget management, working within procurement protocols.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and supporting statement with a 500 word limit.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description. 

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.