Interpretation Manager

About the role: The British Museum is seeking a creative, innovative and enthusiastic Interpretation Manager to join the Interpretation Team. The main purpose of this role is to work closely with curators and designers to develop innovative world class exhibitions and displays, and to update and refresh displays in the permanent galleries. The post holder will also need to work with community partners, large project teams and contractors to help develop and deliver engaging people-focussed displays that offer compelling narratives and inspiring experiences.

Key areas of responsibility: To act as the ‘audience advocate’ on special exhibition project teams. To help the team define and implement a clear intellectual structure, key messages and learning outcomes (interpretive planning). To help define audiences for specific show and to ensure their needs are met. To provide robust insight about visitors by overseeing research and educating teams around visitor awareness. To manage contractors working in areas such as editing, picture research and visitor research. To write, edit and proof read written material displayed within exhibitions and galleries so it is appropriate to the specified audiences, and to provide complete edited packages of exhibition and gallery information for graphic designers.

About you: Education: degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Specific technical/professional skills & experience: proven editorial experience in the museum or publishing worlds; proficiency in both PC and Mac programmes. Work experience: editorial role in museums/galleries, television or publishing house. Working with museum visitors, audiences and communities. Specific interpersonal skills: highly developed liaison, diplomatic and influencing skills; excellent team player; persuasive and flexible communicator.

About the British Museum: 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.

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.

Additional details: 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 British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.