Deputy Director, Collections

Durham University is seeking to appoint a Deputy Director, Collections, who will play a key leadership role in shaping, managing, and preserving Durham University’s unique and diverse collections. This position supports the Director in the strategic oversight of modern, heritage and cultural collections across our libraries, archives and special collections, and museums. You will serve as a key liaison among library, archival, conservation and curatorial staff bringing a ULC wide approach to all University collections, ensuring that our collections are managed responsibly, made accessible to diverse audiences, and leveraged in the advance of teaching, learning, research and community engagement at the University and beyond.

As a member of the Senior Management Team within University Library and Collections you will provide senior leadership for all collections under the ownership and custodianship of ULC and associated staff including librarians, archivists, conservators and curators.

The role will include financial planning, budget development and tracking, administration, as well as organisational and staff development. Areas of responsibility include:

• Finance, budget planning and monitoring
• Risk, compliance and audit
• Human resources and staff development
• Strategic and business planning
• Policy development and procedures
• Data gathering and analysis
• Management and leadership of collections staff

ULC comprises over 160 staff working within our libraries, museums and galleries, archives and special collections. Staff are based in the Bill Bryson Library, Palace Green Library, the Oriental Museum, Museum of Archaeology, the Castle, the International Study Centre and at our external storage facility. ULC is an active partner in the teaching, learning, wider student experience, research and external engagement at the University. Our collections are an integral part of the research infrastructure at the University.

The role will be based in Palace Green Library but you will be expected to work across all ULC sites and locations as required. ULC supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements where possible. This role is expected to work on site for a minimum of 3 days per week.

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on 1 April 2026.

It is anticipated interviews for this role will be held in or around 1 May 2026.

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