Head of Library and Museum

Imagine being faced with a world of exciting possibilities that could ultimately enable you to support our members and help shape the health policies of the future. As the UK’s largest trade union and professional body for nursing, we support over half a million members with unwavering loyalty and total commitment. We represent and develop them, support their practice and lobby on their behalf to make a positive difference to their working lives.

We're accredited with Investors in People Silver Standard. Our people are our greatest asset, and we want people who can contribute to our purpose in line with our values.

As Head of Library and Museum you’ll use your positive attitude, your knowledge of strategic library leadership and your ability to deliver outstanding services to drive the library and museum forward.

It's a job full of possibilities as you could get involved in anything from developing our collections, internal and external promotion of our offer and creating and implementing the service strategy. We'll look to you to lead our museum and events programmes in ways that help involve and engage our members. It's a great way to build your knowledge of our work and develop your potential.

The ability to foster strong professional relationships and encourage close collaboration between departments is at the heart of this leadership role.

To succeed at the Royal College of Nursing all you need to do is think bigger, better and brighter. And with an attitude like that, anything’s possible.

What we offer you

We expect you to look after our members. And we expect you to be rewarded for it. We offer an impressive range of benefits, a broad range of learning development opportunities and an award-winning health and wellbeing programme. We offer annual leave up to 32 days plus bank holidays and three additional days for the Christmas break plus generous maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.

*We offer a competitive pay structure with annual pay progression until you reach the top of the salary scale.   We normally offer new employees the first point of the salary range, although you may be able to negotiate a higher starting salary depending on your skills, experience and current salary.

Our selection process

Please click the ‘apply now’ button to submit a CV and answer the supporting questions online demonstrating how you meet the criteria for this role.  You may not be shortlisted if you don’t. Please ensure your CV is in a simple format with minimal tables and sections. Any identifying information in your application will automatically be anonymised for shortlisting purposes. 

We want your experience applying for a job with us to be the best it can be.  We may hold our interviews and assessments in person or by video call. If you foresee any problems, please let us know.

Equal opportunities for everyone

Equity, diversity and inclusion are a priority for us and we aim to foster an inclusive environment so our people can bring their authentic selves to work. This is integral to our mission to enable you to support our members and ensure their voice is heard by all UK governments to get the best outcomes for them and their patients.

As a proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities.

Contact details

For more information or for an informal discussion about the role please contact Anna Semmens, Head of Library and Museum, on 02076473586.

For more information about the recruitment and selection process please contact recruit@rcn.org.uk

Opening date: 28^th May 2025

Closing date: 11.59pm on 19^th June 2025

Selection dates: 4^th July 2025