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Join the prestigious British Museum as the esteemed Keeper of Asia and steward a world-class collection while leading a high-caliber team.
Overview
Salary £75185
Location Bloomsbury
Expires Expires at anytime
The British Museum, established in 1753, houses a collection that is a testament to more than two million years of human history and culture. The institution is not only a top tourist attraction but also an academic powerhouse, with treasures like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. As a hub of historical wonders and scholarly excellence, the Museum offers an intellectually stimulating and culturally rich working environment.
- Lead the Department of Asia, managing both curatorial and academic aspects.
- Ensure the care of an internationally significant collection.
- Mentor and inspire a dedicated team of curators and staff.
- Engage in activities that support the Museum’s goals and represent the Museum globally.
- Must hold a degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
- Internationally recognized as a scholar in a subject relevant to the Museum’s collection.
- Significant management experience and a history of leading high-performance teams.
- Skilled in leadership, negotiation, and collaboration within a complex organization.
- Ability to manage diverse stakeholder interests with excellent prioritization skills.
- Strong communication, diplomacy, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Genuine passion for the cultural sector.
Benefits include generous annual leave, membership in a defined benefit pension scheme, free entry to museums and exhibitions, participation in Museum activities, and various discounts. We also offer interest-free loans for travel and housing to support our employees’ well-being and professional growth.
Note: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The British Museum can sponsor visas for certain positions that meet the eligibility criteria and salary threshold.
The role: The Keeper of Asia is a specialist of academic distinction that leads and manages the department of Asia. The role is responsible for overseeing the department’s curatorial and academic work, including the care of an internationally important collection. Required to manage, mentor and inspire a team of curators and other staff, the postholder is expected to participate widely in support of the Museum’s goals and objectives, including representing the Museum both in the UK and abroad.
Job requirements: Degree educated or equivalent in a relevant subject. Evidence of international recognition as a scholar in a relevant field. Excellent understanding of the Museum and wider academic and cultural world, in one or more areas relevant to the Museum’s collection. Significant management experience and a proven track record of managing high-performance teams Proven ability to lead, influence, negotiate and work collaboratively across a complex organisation. Experience of managing stakeholders with conflicting priorities Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills Diplomatic and calm under pressure. A good communicator, with an open and inclusive style which inspires trust. Enthusiasm for the cultural sector.
Benefits: Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays. Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme. Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections. Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans Professional and personal development opportunities Employee Assistance Programme Discounts on food and gift shop purchases.
Visa requirements: We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations. Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest.
The organisation - Why they are exciting: Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
