Curator of Exhibitions - REQ000412

Job title: Curator of Exhibitions (Leeds City Museum)

Salary: £34,833- £36,648 (pro rata)

Hours: 22 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term (parental leave cover)

Location: Leeds City Museum

As the Curator of Exhibitions at Leeds City Museum you’ll thrive on delivering innovative, high-quality exhibitions for diverse audiences.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As the Curator of Exhibitions at Leeds City Museum, you will bring to the role:

Knowledge of exhibition design, management and organisational procedures.
Experience of successfully managing projects on time and within budget, including ability to manage a number of projects simultaneously.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and develop excellent working relationships, including with partner organisations.
A clear understanding of audience access and inclusion issues.
Knowledge of conservation, security, insurance, environmental and commercial issues in relation to works of art and objects.

About the role

The Curator of Exhibitions leads the temporary exhibition programme at Leeds City Museum. This is an opportunity to cover a period of parental leave, expected to be a year. It means stepping in to successfully deliver on current projects which are already in development. You will need to bring experience of exhibition delivery to this crucial role.

The role is integral to both the Collections & Programmes team within Leeds Museums & Galleries and the team at Leeds City Museum. Working collaboratively with colleagues across Leeds Museums and Galleries, Leeds City Council, external partners and communities to maximise the impact of our programmes and the experiences of our audiences is an important aspect of the role.

Leeds Museums and Galleries is one of the largest local authority-run museum service in the country and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Yvonne Hardman, Head of Collections & Programmes – yvonne.hardman@leeds.gov.uk

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To develop and deliver an inspirational, challenging yet accessible and socially inclusive exhibitions programme as part of the overall visitor experience for Leeds Museums and Galleries, in particular at Leeds City Museum, and in line with Leeds Museums and Galleries’ objectives.
The initiation, development, implementation and evaluation of a high quality, inspiring exhibitions programme working with colleagues representing collections and programmes, community engagement, learning, audience development, site teams and communities themselves.
Work in partnership with site, collection, conservation and technical colleagues to agree exhibitions, learning and display proposals incorporating the best possible interpretation.
The role will ensure that the access needs of the visitor are central to all exhibitions and related activities.
Project manage from inception to completion individual exhibitions (including touring shows) ensuring risk assessments procedures are complied with and deliver accurate and timely performance management data on activities and their impact.
Work with colleagues to engage local communities and other audiences such as families, teachers and schools in the development of socially inclusive exhibition learning programmes.
Create events programmes to run alongside exhibitions.
Manage delegated project budgets and proactively seek sponsorship and funding. Procurement of transport, installation, interpretation graphics and other services as required.
Manage project funded staff and volunteers.
Undertake research and fieldwork in order to deliver best practice in all exhibitions and to maintain the city’s reputation and profile for innovative exhibitions.
Devise and implement means of evaluating the success and effectiveness of exhibitions and report back to senior management.
Ensure all texts for catalogues, labels, marketing and other publications are timely and accessible to all, following the Service’s Access Policy and Guidelines.
Working with the site team and Registration team, be responsible for the security and care of material in the exhibition, particularly items on loan, ensuring all conditions are fully met.
Working with the Registration team on all loans in/out, adhering to all agreed Collections Management standards and procedures.
Participate in exhibition installation and deinstallation, including devising 3D plans, the hanging and placing of objects working with in-house technicians and conservators, as well as overseeing freelancers as required.
Promote the positive image of the Service at all times and work with the Audience Development team to advocate the value of exhibitions to key stakeholders, opinion formers, visitors and the people of Leeds through exhibition marketing plans and the provision of relevant and timely information on future exhibitions.
Respond to public, professional and academic enquiries.
Work with the Commercial team to maximise the commercial and merchandising opportunities offered by the exhibitions programme.
Develop partnerships with a wide range of institutions and organisations to further the Service’s objectives, as well as maintain the existing relationships between key partners.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Service, provide cross-site support, participate in appropriate professional networks for self-development and represent the Service where appropriate.
To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and our visitors.
Achieve recognised Health & Safety qualification specific to job need.
Carry out risk assessment and implement safe systems of work as required.
To promote and apply consistently the principles of Leeds City Council Equality policies both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities.
To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Safeguarding policies (children and vulnerable adults).
To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grade.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually or in groups, at all appropriate levels.
Ability to develop excellent working relationships with colleagues, partner organisations and other Leeds City Council departments.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, maintaining effective working relationships.
Ability to monitor and control resources.
Ability to use research methods and techniques.
Educated to degree level, professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area or equivalent experience.
Knowledge of exhibition design, management and organisational procedures.
Knowledge of conservation, security, insurance, environmental and commercial issues in relation to works of art and objects.
Knowledge of current learning experiences and theories in a museum, gallery or exhibition context.
Clear understanding of audience access and inclusion issues.
Knowledge of a discipline relating to the collections at Leeds Museums and Galleries, including an interest in the history of Leeds.

Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office and collections management databases.
Knowledge of the requirements of the Health & Safety and Equalities legislation.
Experience of planning, organising and delivering exhibitions.

Experience of successfully managing projects on time and within budget, including ability to manage a number of projects simultaneously.
Experience of procurement, managing resources, and delivering new funding income streams.
Experience of developing and maintaining successful partnerships.
Experience of preparing and presenting reports and proposals for different stakeholders.
Demonstrate an interest in the work of Leeds Museums & Galleries.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

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