Overview
Are you passionate about heritage and the stories museums can tell?
Do you have the expertise to care for nationally significant collections while helping shape the future direction of museum service?
Middlesbrough Museums are at a point of exciting transformation, and we are looking for a visionary Collections Manager to safeguard and champion our world-class heritage. From the global voyages explored at Captain Cook Birthplace Museum to the natural sciences and social history at the heart of the Dorman Museum, you will help unlock our most significant stories.
This is more than a collections care role. Alongside preserving and developing our collections, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our museums. You will provide strategic leadership for collections, exhibitions, research and gallery development, ensuring our collections continue to inspire and engage diverse audiences. You will also build high-level partnerships, lead on museum accreditation, and support funding bids that will help deliver our long-term ambitions.
As a key member of the Museums leadership team, you will oversee collections management, conservation planning and access, while helping to develop new opportunities for research, interpretation and public engagement. Working across our sites, you will play a vital role in preserving, researching and sharing collections that tell the story of Middlesbrough, its people and its global connections.
The Role
As Collections Manager, you will:
- Lead the care, conservation, documentation, and security of the museum collections.
- Shape collections-led exhibitions, redisplays, and research programmes.
- Develop policies, plans, and procedures, that ensure best practice and support accreditation standards.
- Build strong partnerships with heritage organisations, academic institutions, and community groups.
- Identify and secure funding opportunities to enhance collections care, conservation, and public access.
- Supervise collections staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Who You Are
We are looking for an experienced museum professional with strong collections management expertise, excellent organisational skills, and a passion for making collections accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. You will be a confident communicator, an effective leader, and someone who can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
Why Join Us?
At Middlesbrough, our values – Passion, Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, and Focus are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll be joining a team that is proud of our town’s heritage and committed to its future. We offer a supportive environment with a focus on continuous personal development.
If this is you, this may be the opportunity you are looking for!
If you would like to talk through this opportunity further, please contact JR Bowes at JR_Bowes@middlesbrough.gov.uk.
Please note Middlesbrough Council do not currently offer sponsorships.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran
Salary: £33,699 – £35,412
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
