Appointment brief Collections and Learning Director

June 2021 Reference: PAEAHE1 SB

An introduction

Founded in 1967 the Museum Trust has grown into one of the largest independent museums in the world. A registered charity with the twin aims of education and heritage conservation, its mission is to research, preserve and interpret to the widest audiences the remarkable collections and social history of the area that is recognised as the Birthplace of the .

Set within a 6 square mile UNESCO World Heritage Site and centred on the world’s first cast iron bridge are 10 award winning museums and 35 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings that tell the story of this remarkable part of Britain.

Its nationally Designated collections include art, and artefacts relating to industrial history. The Elton Collection formed of prints, drawings and paintings collected by Sir Arthur Elton in the early years of the 19th century form the best single collection of industrial and transport images. ironwork and decorative ceramics – notably China, Maw & Co. and Craven Dunnill & Co., tiles, and collections and records of the Darby family- the remarkable dynasty of Quaker Ironmasters whose innovations in the production and application of iron changed how people live, work and communicate across the globe.

Attracting 450,000 visitors every year the museum is a major contributor to tourism in and the West Midlands and a driver to the local economy. The 10 museums are grouped into three main centres- Blists Hill Victorian Town- the most popular site- is a reconstruction of a typical Shropshire town at the beginning of the 20th century built around historic monuments. It is interpreted through costumed demonstrators and an extensive education and events programme. and - situated either side of the - cover the history of fine china and tile making and Coalbrookdale including , the Museum of Iron and , traces the history of iron making and its impact on the Ironbridge Gorge and globally.

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR SB

Context

The Collections and Learning Director will be joining Ironbridge at a pivotal moment for the organisation as it reopens following the Covid-19 pandemic. The organisation has agreed a 3-year plan to increase financial resilience and increase its commercial offering to ensure success. A rebrand of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is underway and part of that is a fresh look at the customer journey. Much of this work is being supported by the Cultural Recovery Fund administered by Arts Council .

The Collections and Learning Director post is being remodelled with an added emphasis on industrial heritage expertise and there will be an opportunity for the postholder to re-establish the credentials of the department. The postholder will work closely with the Development Director on identifying key signature projects and realising developments. There are several exciting projects underway and the postholder will be required to contribute in terms of strategic thinking around learning and collections. The Collections and Learning Director will be a key member of the senior management team and there is real opportunity for the postholder to come in and contribute to the vision of Ironbridge in a post-2020 cultural landscape.

Director of Collections and Learning

Head of Senior Curator Lifelong Learning IHSO Interpretations and Manager CBD/L&A/CIB Exhibitions (PT)

Curatorial Officer / Curatorial Officer / Education Senior Costume Archivist Registrar Curator Curator Administrator (PT) Interpreter (PT) CPT/JFD/BPW (PT) BHVT

Wadrdrobe Supervisor Education Officer BHVT (PT)

Wardrobe Assistant Education Officer BHVT (PT)

Wardrobe Assistant BHVT (PT)

Wardrobe Assistant BHVT (PT)

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR SB

“The birthplace of the industrial revolution”

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR SB

The role

Reporting to the Chief Executive the Collections and Learning Director will be required to:

• Lead the Collections and Learning team at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT); • Develop and deliver strategies and business plans that widen access to, and engagement with, the nationally Designated collections, buildings and structures held by the Trust; • Bring expertise on the subject area of industrial history, engineering and/or industrial archaeology to the Museum, and develop and raise the academic profile of the Trust; • Work and build relationships with key stakeholders; • Play an active role in the Museum’s Senior Management Team (SMT). This is both a strategic; and operational/hands on role within the Trust.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Collections and Learning Director will be required to undertake the following:

• Develop and keep under review the Collections and Learning strategy and department business plan; • Ensure that the strategies and business plans within the Collections and Learning department are delivered across all sites to time and to the highest quality; • Lead on the subject area of industrial history, engineering and industrial archaeology. Raise the profile of the Trust in this area through exhibitions, events, publications, lectures and conferences; • Maintain the Museum’s Accreditation status, fulfil plans and return updates as required by Arts Council England (ACE); • Develop an effective academic & curatorial profile for the Museum locally, regionally, nationally and internationally; • Work with the appointed Conservation Architect and Chartered Surveyor to deliver the Quinquennial Inspection of the buildings and monuments, and then work collaboratively with key

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR SB

members of SMT, in particular the Estates Director (to be recruited in 2021) in relation to the maintenance/conservation of buildings/structures and Museum Management Team (MMT) to develop appropriate plans for their care and conservation; • Lead on the Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation Collections and Learning work; • Have responsibility for the department budget and its allocation; • Play a key role in the Senior Management Team; working collaboratively with SMT members to achieve the Trust’s strategy, vision and mission; • Ensure productive professional relationships with key strategic partners including Historic England, Museums Association, Arts Council England, etc; • Lead on the day to day contact with Universities and other education providers, ensuring effective collaboration and excellent communication; • Play the lead role in liaising with the Museum’s Collections and Learning Committee (a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees) and the Rosehill Trust (a committee which manage a fund to support the Darby Houses and gardens); • Support and work with the Collections and Learning team to deliver an inclusive, accessible and engaging service – that includes collections management and conservation, access, interpretation, display, exhibitions, digital, and lifelong learning formal and informal programmes; • Lead the work on the Equality Action Plan for the Collections and Learning Department; • Manage the Industrial Heritage Support Officer programme and ensure its future at IGMT; and • Any other duties commensurate with the role.

STAFF REPORTING DIRECTLY

• Head of Interpretation and Exhibitions (Museum Management Team (MMT)) • Senior Curator (MMT) • Lifelong Learning Manager (MMT) • Industrial Heritage Support Officer (Funded by Historic England)

The Collections and Learning Director will be responsible for the NPO Collections and Learning budget.

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR SB

Person specification

Essential

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR SB

• Relevant science or humanities first degree; • Proven track record of multi-site curatorial management; • Experience of Lifelong Learning management including managing staff and programmes across a variety of sites; • Experience of working with strategic bodies including Historic England, Arts Council England, AIM etc; • Specialist skills and knowledge in a relevant field – industrial history, engineering and/or industrial archaeology; • Ability to prioritise and manage a diverse, complex and time critical workload to deliver results; • Excellent organisational, interpersonal skills and communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues and external contacts with a broad community of interests; • Flexible in approach to work; • Ability to work independently and as part of a team; • Good ITC skills; and • Full driving licence & access to own vehicle.

Desirable • AMA or FMA; • PhD/Further Qualifications in relevant field; • Active membership of specialist academic or curatorial groups; and • Published author and editorial experience in an academic or curatorial context.

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR SB

How to apply

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to The Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust on this appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code PAEAHE1

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter.

The closing date for applications is noon on 30 June 2021

LONDON 9 Savoy Street LondonIRONBRIDGE WC2E 7EG GORGE MUSEUMS | COLLECTIONS AND LEARNING DIRECTOR

EDINBURGH 46 Melville Street