Could you take forward Manchester Museum’s commitment to cultural revitalisation, reconciliation and healing?
As part of our Collections team, you will be responsible for our Living Cultures collections, consisting of over 20,000 objects including material culture from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Experience of ethical practice and responsible collections management in relation to global collections is essential. We are looking for candidates who can express care for people, our communities and relationships, as much as the collections themselves.
Manchester Museum is committed to action and openness around restitution and repatriation. We are seeking someone who can continue to engage proactively with originating and diaspora communities connected to Manchester Museum’s Living Cultures collections to diligently research provenance and build strong partnerships. You will also be a brilliant collaborator, who can convene and deliver co-curated events and displays that focus on African cultural heritage, working towards a future Africa Gallery
Manchester Museum is one of the UK’s leading university museums and a finalist for the European Museum of the Year Award 2025. Having reopened in February 2023 after a £15million transformation, empathy, belonging, collaboration and co-creation are at the heart of everything that we do. We are proud to be part of the University of Manchester, so a diligent and engaging approach to building research and supporting teaching is essential. We are also one of the north’s most popular visitor attractions, so you’ll need to be a brilliant communicator, able to talk about complex ideas to wide-ranging audiences.
The museum’s mission is to build understanding between cultures and a more sustainable world, with a commitment to social justice and environmental action. You will be supported to embed sustainable and equitable working practices into your own role and encouraged to contribute to museum-wide actions.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to enrich our team with varied perspectives and experiences that reflect our collections and community. Given the global nature of the collections and role, international applications are welcome.
What you will get in return:
* Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
* Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
* Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
* Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
* Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers
As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Our University is positive about flexible working you can find out more here
Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Alexandra Alberda
Email: alexandra.alberda@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.