SMG MASTERPLAN AND ESTATE
INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
Background
The Science Museum Group incorporates the Science Museum in South Kensington, London; the Science & Industry Museum in Manchester; the National Railway Museum in York; Locomotion in Shildon; and the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford. In addition, the Group includes its collections store, the Science + Innovation Park (S+IP) in Wroughton, near Swindon.
The Science Museum Group's (SMG) mission is to 'Inspire futures' and this is translated in our Strategy. Our five museums and the S+IP are a key national resource. The Science Museum Group shares its unparalleled collection of over seven million objects spanning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with over 3.8 million visitors each year, in addition to over 650,000 school visits and a huge digital audience. It is the world's leading group of science museums and is uniquely placed to draw people of all ages to engage with science in an inspirational and informal way with its extensive national and international programme of exhibitions, research, skills sharing and consultancy. Our Annual Review highlights key achievements in 2023-24, with more comprehensive information available in our Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24.
The Masterplan and Estate Committee is a sub-committee and advisory body of the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum (SMG Board). It provides a key governing role in the transformation of a large, complex and historic estate. The committee is authorised by the SMG Board (and the Board of Directors of SCMG Enterprises Ltd, the wholly owned subsidiary through which commercial activities are undertaken) to review and investigate any activity within its terms of reference (see appendix 1). Other sub-committees of the SMG Board include the Audit and Risk Committee, Finance and Business Committee and Collections and Research Committee.
Vacancy Description
The Science Museum Group is seeking to appoint an independent member to its Masterplan and Estate Committee. The member would ideally take up post between February and April 2024 for a term of four years, renewable once. Member appointments and all renewals will be by the Committee Chair, in consultation with the responsible Executive and with the agreement of both the SMG Chair and the SMG Director.
The Group is seeking someone with strong skills and expertise in the following areas:
* Significant experience in project and cost management for construction projects
* A strong understanding of current risks, trends and opportunities in the construction sector.
* Experience in assessing and managing of risks and opportunities in major projects and programmes.
* Experience in offering strategic advice to management. Application of a commercial mindset to drive value in large, complex organisations.
* Experience in aligning finite resources to strategic activities and priorities
* Knowledge of best practice in project and programme reporting, controls, and risk management
Desirable
* Experience of charitable or government funded sectors
* Experience of museum or visitor facing programmes
* Experience of Executive Leadership
The Committee holds up to five meetings per year but may call on the Independent Member for advice outside of these meetings on occasion. At meetings the Committee will consider:
* The strategic development of the SMG estate, including the Masterplan for each site. The Committee will advise SMG Board on the suitability of these plans in the context of known strategic objectives, emerging risks and opportunities for each site's surrounding area as well as SMG more broadly.
* Approval of projects and programmes at key gateway points, aligning with RIBA 1, 2 and 4, to assess value, ambition, benefits, risks and deliverability. Alongside the Finance and Business Committee's assessment of affordability, the Committee will recommend these to the Board of Trustees for approval.
* Oversight of key issues, risks and opportunities across the capital portfolio, providing support and constructive challenge to management as required.
* Consider proposals for acquisition or disposal of freehold or leasehold sites or buildings, providing guidance to management as needed. Ensure that risks, opportunities and financial implications are clearly articulated and advise the SMG Board accordingly;
* Consider and approve other projects and programmes in line with the delegated authority set out from time to time in the SMG Financial Protocols or make recommendations to the SMG Board where those commitments exceed the limit of delegated authority;
* Assess and monitor SMG's sustainability policy as it affects the built environment, ensuring the estate and capital portfolio build in and meet effective sustainability targets.
* Liaise where appropriate with the Finance and Business Committee on financial risk, controls and risk management;
* Keep a watching brief on other developments that could have a significant financial implication for SMG and make recommendations to the SMG Board.
To view more about the role, and how to apply, download the role spec file under ' Attachments ' on this vacancy listing on the Science Museum Group website.