Job Description

Job Title:Exhibitions Manager

Department:Public Engagement

Reports to:Head of Collections and Exhibitions

Reporting Staff:Exhibitions Officer

Main Purpose:

To lead and manage the design and implementation of Bletchley Park’s exhibitions and museum content. This role is responsible for the concepts, creation, design and installation, maintenance and take-down of all exhibitions on the Park, both temporary and long-term, with the assistance of an Exhibitions Officer and the wider Collections and Exhibitions team.

Reporting to the Head of Collections and Exhibitions, the Exhibitions Manager’s role is to organise and supervise the design, fabrication, construction and installation of exhibitions, the preparation of museum space for exhibitions and the preparation of any objects to be exhibited. This role will work closely with the Curator, Research Historian and designers to prepare exhibitions, and work collaboratively with the rest of the Public Engagement department to ensure the exhibitions are planned and delivered in line with all other visitor operations and activities taking place across the Park. The nature of the work requires a very creative person, with a great team spirit and the ability to listen to and liaise exceptionally with a wide variety of people.

Core Skills:

The position requires the following core skills:

  1. A creative and dynamic person
  2. Excellent inter-personal skills, receptive and a willingness to listen to and assist others
  3. Good time management skills/project management skills and the ability to work under pressure
  4. Good verbal and presentational skills
  5. Excellent written skills, with fastidious attention to detail
  6. Able to plan, prioritise, multi-task and meet deadlines
  7. Enthusiastic, with a positive 'can-do' attitude
  8. Ability to manage and liaise with external suppliers and contractors, curators, graphic designers, donors and other parties
  9. A great team player
  10. Shows initiative and is self-motivated
  11. A flexible and hands-on approach to work
  12. Organised and methodical
  13. Able to adhere to the Trust’s brand and policies in all activities
  14. Very good IT skills including word processing, excel and email

The following experience is essential:

  1. Experience in a museum/heritage/tourist attraction or similar
  2. Experience in exhibition content design and implementation
  3. Experience of working collaboratively across teams
  4. Experience of team management, both internal and external

This role is in part public facing and as such a dress code is in place.

This role will require regular weekend working.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Support the Head of Collections and Exhibitions to develop and implement an exhibitions programme.
  2. Organise and plan for future exhibitions as well as one-off, short-term or temporary exhibits, as directed by the Head of Collections and Exhibitions.
  3. Plan the development of museum exhibition content in collaboration with other teams to ensure all operational and visitor experience aspects have been considered including H&S, accessibility and audience needs.
  4. Act as the Project Manager on new exhibition developments, working to agreed budgets and timescales, communicating effectively with the wider team.
  5. Plan and deliver exhibition installations and de-installations, working with external contractors, specifying museum maintenance and space planning, material details and fixture design.
  6. Research for and design content for exhibitions, working closely with other members of the Collections team i.e the Curator and Research Historian as well as other stakeholders and topic specialists.
  7. Work collaboratively with the Operations, Communications and Development teams regarding exhibition launches, planning for special members’ events and receptions.
  8. Liaise and work with external designers and other contractors in order to design and develop museum exhibition content.
  9. Assist with the production of any materials pertaining to exhibitions.
  10. Co-ordinate the liaison between designers and topic specialists.
  11. Contribute to museum content development, especially focusing on visitor engagement and enjoyment.
  12. Prepare new exhibit-related documentation including internal information for circulation to the wider team by the Communications team.
  13. Attend relevant training and meetings as required.
  14. Be committed to Continuous Professional Development (CPD), keeping up-to date and meeting any annual requirement for CPD required of you professionally.
  15. Contribute to the effective management and promotion of equality and diversity.
  16. Work in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act.
  17. To work at all times in accordance with the Trust’s policies and procedures.
  18. To carry out such duties as may be required from time to time by the Trust that are appropriate to the grade of the post.
  19. Support and assist in the ongoing development of Bletchley Park.

Conditions: Company Pension scheme after 3 months. No health cover offered. Holiday pro rata 31 days pa including statutory holidays. Based at Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. 1 months’ notice either way.

General:The Trust operates a policy of compliance with the law on grounds of non-discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, age, nationality or disabilities. No smoking is permitted in any offices or buildings.

Contact Details:Michelle Parsley

Payroll and Personnel Officer

Bletchley Park Trust

The Mansion

Bletchley Park

Milton Keynes

MK3 6EB

Telephone 01908 272503

V1 Date 03 December 2015