Collections Manager, Western Art

Location: Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH

About the role

The Ashmolean Museum is the University of Oxford’s world-class museum of art and archaeology. The Department of Western Art cares for approximately 300,000 objects.

You will lead day-to-day collections management, ensuring safe storage, movement, security and documentation in line with SPECTRUM standards and conservation requirements. Working across the Museum, you will support major upcoming projects and digitisation, improve collections processes, facilitate teaching and research access, and line manage the Collections Assistant.

This is a full-time, permanent post based on site at the Museum and storage sites, with flexibility around working hours.

This role requires regular manual handling and working at heights.

Additionally, it may also require travel outside of Europe or North America on University business.

Due to the nature of this post, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a satisfactory Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check due to access to museum collections.

About You

You will have a qualification and/or substantial relevant experience in Art History, Museum Studies or a related discipline, plus specialist knowledge of collections management best practice and SPECTRUM standards. You will have experience of collections care, documentation or digitisation, and project delivery, alongside strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills. You will be able to prioritise independently, supervise others and undertake physically demanding collections work.

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting statement as part of your online application. Your supporting statement should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. CVs alone will not be considered.

We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be John Chu, Keeper of Western Art, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (John.chu@ashmus.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (BST) on Wednesday 16 September 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 2 October 2026.

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