Job Description. Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum ( the Museum ) Heritage Outreach Officer Exhibitions and Interpretation Manager

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1 Job escription Job Title: mployer: Reports to: irect Reports: Term: Head of Interpretation and xhibitions Maternity Cover Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum ( the Museum ) irector of Public Programmes Head of esign Heritage Outreach Officer xhibitions and Interpretation Manager Full time basis fixed-term position PURPOS OF TH JOB: 1. To project manage the delivery phase of the HLF funded First World War in the Air activity plan. 2. To support the irector of Public Programmes and the Centenary xhibitions Lead Curators in the development and delivery of the Museum-wide Interpretation Strategy. 3. To lead in the creative development, display, delivery and maintenance of the Museum s exhibition projects including physical and virtual gallery displays, permanent, temporary and touring exhibitions. 4. To ensure all projects are delivered within agreed budgets to defined deadlines to the highest quality standards of display and interpretation. ACCOUNTABILITIS: 1. To project manage the cross-departmental team delivering the HLF funded First World War in the Air activity programme, ensuring all agreed deadlines and budgets are met, reporting regularly to the Senior Management Team as well as to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The programme includes events and an annual temporary exhibition co-produced with our local community. 2. To support the irector of Public Programmes and the Centenary xhibitions Lead Curators in developing and delivering three new permanent galleries and linked site interpretation for the RAF s 100th anniversary in 2018, in consultation with staff and stakeholders, ensuring that stories, content and objects support coherent narrative and design providing access for all. 3. To ensure existing exhibitions and displays are kept up to date and in good condition 4. To support and facilitate the Museum s commercial activities JOB FUNCTIONS: Interpretation 1. evelop, deliver and maintain exhibitions and gallery displays across the two Museum sites (London and Cosford), touring exhibition programme and through digital outputs. 2. Provide advice, guidance and training on best interpretative practice to Museum staff in respect of exhibitions, graphics and online provision with the aim of delivering high quality, engaging displays. 1

2 xhibition Project Management 1. Lead and motivate cross-departmental exhibition project teams through matrix management ensuring development is progressed to schedule and that key issues are addressed proactively throughout the project development process. 2. nsure effective audience engagement and evaluation of programme items are worked into all stages of project planning and delivery 3. ncourage feedback from project teams and ensure lessons learned are shared with colleagues and fed into new projects. 4. Provide effective reporting on agreed projects both in writing and through meeting presentations and discussion. 5. Manage Museum staff where appropriate and oversee the work of external contractors and consultants such as exhibition designers, graphic designers, model makers, exhibition construction contractors, quantity surveyors, planning supervisors and contract administrators. 6. Manage the production of tender documents, the tender process and negotiate agreements for exhibition contractors, including OJU. nsure compliance with all relevant legislation, including CM, W, A and Health & Safety. Relationships 1. Line manage the Head of esign and through them the workshop staff. Line manage the Heritage Outreach Officer and the xhibitions and Interpretation Manager. 2. Cultivate internal relationships that cross team boundaries, work closely with other departments to deliver museum-wide programmes and objectives, demonstrate positive collaboration and problem solving with all team members. 3. Cultivate external relationships to identify potential partners in conjunction with the evelopment team. 4. Build and maintain partnerships with relevant external contacts and stakeholders. 5. Lead and motivate staff and volunteers ensuring plans are progressed successfully, setting and monitoring objectives and encouraging professional development 6. nsure effective communication with all stakeholders, both internally and externally Budgets and Resources 1. Identify, manage and control budgets effectively, holding overall responsibility for all departmental income and expenditure budgets 2. Minimise payroll costs while maintaining effective service to internal and external customers. 3. Reduce operational costs and maximise resources whilst maintaining standards of products and services. Policies and Procedures 1. Uphold both the spirit and letter of the Museums Association s Code of thics 2. Comply with Health & Safety legislation. 3. Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to protect people and the Museum s reputation. 4. evelop and maintain policies and procedures that support and deliver departmental objectives 5. Professionally challenge procedures that do not add value to the organisation. Personal Responsibilities 1. Support the Museum s values 2. Work flexibly to meet the needs of the team. 3. Work as part of a team and support colleagues across the Museum. 4. Protect the reputation of the Museum. 2

3 Hours and Physical Conditions 1. This is a fulltime fixed-term position, working 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7. Weekend, Bank Holiday and evening work will be required. 2. The post is based at the London site but work at both Museum sites (London and Cosford) and at other exhibition venues will be required. This is a description of the job at present. The above is not intended to be a comprehensive list of key responsibilities or duties. Other related duties may be required from time to time. It is the practice of the Museum to periodically review job descriptions and to update them to ensure that duties relate to the job then being performed. It is our aim to reach agreement to reasonable changes following consultation. However, if agreement is not possible the Museum reserves the right to make reasonable changes after consultation. PRSON SPCIFICATION CRITRIA STANAR / VINC Qualifications ducated to first degree level or equivalent experience / Certificates Prince2 Practitioner or equivalent / Certificates Work xperience Skills and Knowledge emonstrable experience in developing and delivering high quality exhibitions and gallery displays in a museum or heritage environment emonstrable experience in creative leadership on projects bringing material culture to life in narrative 3- environments / emonstrable experience in creating/overseeing design and concept briefs and in working with designers, writers and creative agencies in interpreting and realising those briefs whether in physical or virtual formats xperience in following an audiencefocused approach, including evaluation, in shaping project outcomes xperience in leading on co-curated content and interpretation development through participatory processes with communities xperience of working in a complex environment managing a variety of specialist teams of direct reports, indirect reports and contract staff 3

4 xperience of setting and improving performance standards including managing staff and financial/non-financial resources xperience in managing large budgets (>500K) and following relevant procurement guidelines tendering to OJU level xperience of introducing new processes and standards effectively xperience of obtaining, analysing and using complex information for effective decision making and problem solving xperience of preparing and shaping bids for external project funding and in working effectively with funders including Heritage Lottery funded projects Ability to lead, inspire and engage all stakeholders both internal and external Ability to build and nurture creativity in project teams Ability to negotiate between competing stakeholders in delivering projects Ability to respond positively to issues and challenges in a fast-changing environment Ability to set high standards and support changes in working practices that result in improved creativity and effectiveness Ability to communicate effectively with internal/external clients, staff and external stakeholders Ability to prioritise projects and display initiative Understanding of the creative potential of narrative environments, real objects and digital technologies Ability to work with creative consultants, content experts, audience advocates and learning specialists to deliver exhibitions that engage audiences Ability to understand and apply financial monitoring and management of budgets in 4

5 line with relevant policies. Knowledge of current Health & Safety regulations Knowledge of Microsoft Office software Knowledge of art-working software programmes such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator Knowledge of the Museum s key subject areas of RAF and air power history Aptitudes Creative and imaginative Focussed on outcomes; resilient under pressure Inspires commitment, pace and drive Strategic planning and use of resources Takes responsibility for leading and innovating Builds and manages effective stakeholder relationships Manages performance fairly and firmly Problem solving & lateral thinking 5