Head of Research, Archives and Libraries

About the role:

The British Museum is looking for a visionary leader to join its Collection Directorate as Head of Research, Archives and Libraries. In this critical role, you will shape and deliver the Museum’s vision for research, ensuring the Museum has one of the world’s most researched, accessible and visible collections.

This high-impact role offers the opportunity to shape the Museum’s world-class research, catalysing research across all areas of the Museum at a pivotal time in its history. You will drive improvements across archive and library services, forge meaningful partnerships internally and externally, and champion income-generating initiatives that align with the Museum’s strategic objectives.

If you are looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to make a major contribution to the future of the Museum we warmly invite you to apply.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Leading and developing high-performing teams responsible for the delivery of research leadership and management, and archive and library services.
• Setting and executing the vision for research, archives and libraries, delivering impactful outcomes.
• Shaping the development of major research projects and funding bids, focusing on continuous income-generating activities and setting effective targets.
• Contributing to the national and international research landscape through advocacy and strategic insight.
• Leading and holding key relationships with external organisations for the development of the Museum’s research at BM_ARC in Reading.

What you’ll bring to the Museum:

• A reputation for shaping research at a senior level in a major institution.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategies within a research-focussed environment
• A proven leader in securing research funding and delivering high-profile, externally funded projects.
• Understanding of sector-wide issues affecting museums, archives, and libraries and the heritage sector.
• A strong reputation in a research field relevant to the Museum
• Demonstrated ability to build and develop motivated, purpose-driven teams.
• Skilled at influencing and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally across academia, government and media.

Additional details:

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details .

We offer a flexible way of working and welcome conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 2 days a week.

The Museum adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.

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