Heritage Collection Registrar
Job Type : Permanent, Full Time
Salary : £37510/annum
Team Information
The Registrar role sits in the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) within In-House Services and Estates (IHSE), reporting to the Heritage Lead for Collections Storage, Standards and Management. The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance: the Parliamentary Art Collection, the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection, and the Architectural Fabric Collection. This Team provides a bicameral service to the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and is responsible for all aspects of strategy, display, collections management, care and conservation, technical and procedural standards, documentation, loans and interpretation.
The Role
The Registrar provides specialist professional advice to the Heritage Collection Team and takes the lead in delivering a range of work which underpins the security, safety, movement and display of Parliament's Heritage Collections, including the management of cross-collection acquisitions and loans. The Registrar has close working relationships with the Collections Care Managers and the Collections Information Manager, as well as the Project Registrar who works on the delivery of specific projects and programmes. They provide collections management leadership ensuring high standards of practice are followed (and where necessary informs the development of new policies and standards), as well as having an active role in the management of incidents, damage and loss.
Some of the key responsibilities will include:
* Directly influence and inform decision-making concerning how collections items are handled and moved and initiate new working practices and procedures to mitigate the risk of damage.
* Provide professional knowledge to risk assess complex art handling situations and to determine specifications for the work. Commission art handlers, negotiate fees, prepare and issue contract documentation in line with procurement standards, and supervise the work.
* Manage and report against art handling budget (averages £100k per annum) and procurement of art handling contracts, including the management of the art handling procurement framework. Determine annual programme of work, set targets and determine priorities in line with the wider priorities of the Heritage Collections Team and both Houses.
* Ensure that all documentation is recorded centrally and support the Collections Information Manager in setting annual goals for the improvement of the Collections Management System, and associated documentation, audit and photography programmes.
* Manage all aspects of loans across the Heritage Collections. This includes contracts, logistics, transit and insurance, including indemnity requirements, for new loans in, new loans out and loan renewals.
Skills and Experience
The success candidate will have the following skills/experience:
Criterion 1 – Experience
Museum professional with significant registrar and documentation experience at a public sector museum, art gallery or historic house. Criterion 2 – Decision Making and Delivering Results
Thorough, analytical and highly organised with good time management skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams efficiently and to a high standard. Ability to problem-solve and react to a fast-paced environment in a dynamic and positive way.Criterion 3 – Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of the standards and processes underpinning collections management across a wide range of heritage object types, with an in-depth understanding of the functions relating to a Registrar, such as loans management and accessioning.Criterion 4 – Mitigating Risk
Experience of working on object moves/decants and of the associated work required, including a clear understanding and knowledge of the assessment and mitigation of risks to heritage assets.Why Join?
In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:
30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 days after a full leave year)
Civil Service Pension Scheme
Access to training and development
Flexible working
Interest free season ticket loanNext steps:
CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and 500 word cover letter.
For more information and the full list of job criteria, please see attached Job Description
More Information
- Address Westminster, London
