About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Our role and opportunity
The Trust holds the most comprehensive historic collection of inland waterways material in the world. It consists of over 18,000 accessioned objects – including sixty-eight historic boats. It is Accredited and Designated as being of national significance, with many of the boats on the National Historic Ships Register, with twelve vessels part of the National Historic Fleet.
Working in the Collections Team the role will develop, manage, and care for the objects belonging to the Trust in accordance with Museum Accreditation and Designated status. They will help make accessible the collections in ways that realise their potential to enrich people’s lives and contribute to the wider success and resilience of the Trust. The ideal applicant will have experience in a museum collections/curatorial team, working with (and managing where appropriate) large groups of volunteers, and be confident interacting with a variety of our stakeholders.
We are currently seeking a National Collections Manager who will:
• Be responsible for safeguarding the Trust ‘s collection of artefacts for users and future users to enjoy. The collection is held at Trust’s three museums at Ellesmere Port, Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne, with large off-site stores at Ellesmere Port and Gloucester.
• Balance high standards of care and conservation with access, learning and enjoyment.
• Ensure that the museum collection is managed to the nationally accepted professional standards required for an Accredited and Designated collection. This includes storage, conservation, operation, documentation and research.
• Oversee budgetary allocation.
• Responsible for management, team building, personal development of staff in the Collections Team. Currently this includes: 5 permanent colleagues, temporary colleagues, volunteers and consultants.
Location & coverage
Administratively based at Ellesmere Port or Gloucester, there will be the expectation to travel between sites (Ellesmere Port, Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne) to attend meetings or to conduct fieldwork. This will involve helping support the Trust’s visitor attractions containing collections items on the national canal network.
About the role
Key accountabilities:
• To lead on ensuring that the care of the Collection meets national sector standards. This includes producing and implementing collections policies.
• To lead on the strategic development of the museum collection, including collections acquisition, disposal, information, care, and access.
• Be responsible for the delivery of policy and strategy relating to the management and development of the collection.
• To be responsible for the conservation of the collection working with technical staff and volunteers.
• Coordinate with Museum team regarding the display, interpretation, and exhibition of the collection, including involvement with the development of permanent displays and temporary exhibitions.
• Team building and management of staff involved with care and operation of collections.
• Manage and deliver specific collections projects, large and small, including conservation.
• Lead on grant applications for collections activity.
• Raise the profile of the Collections Team and enhance their professional standing within the museum sector.
• Maintain key relationships with:
• Head of Heritage & Collections.
• Collections Technician Digital Development.
• Collections Technician Preventative Conservation.
• Collections Officers North and South.
• Volunteering leader.
• Attractions Managers: North East, East Midlands, Wales and South West.
• Museum managers, colleagues and volunteers on our sites.
• Regional fundraising colleagues.
• Displaying the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust’s policies and values.
About you
Technical:
• Post graduate qualification in relevant discipline, for example heritage sector with an emphasis on museum/cultural heritage/collections sectors.
• Substantial experience of managing historic collections, preferably in social and industrial history.
• Substantial knowledge and experience of best practice in collections management.
• Experience of working to the Accreditation Standard.
• Experience of interpreting collections.
• Experience of fundraising and grant applications.
• Knowledge of best practice in volunteer management.
• Experience of managing projects.
General:
• Leading teams. Substantial experience of motivating staff and team building.
• Able to plan and prioritise work, to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Able to work within small teams, organise own and others’ work.
• Strong verbal, numeric and written communication skills.
• Pro-active, enthusiastic, and positive approach; ability to show initiative.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What we offer
In addition to your salary of £49,000, you will benefit from a Car Cash Allowance of £450 per month, a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits, all of which can be found at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing with years of service to up to 30 days after 5 years, plus holiday purchase scheme.
• Home working status with ‘hub’ facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.
At the Trust, we empower our people to flow and thrive both on and off the water. Our colleagues enjoy a variety of benefits that enhance their lives while working in a place that positively impacts others. We take pride in our people, protecting heritage and preserving wildlife, and we’re all about the future of our colleagues and the future generations who love and use our network. Inspired by people, we harness the different ways of working and thinking, ensuring our teams grow and reach their full potential.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
