Dorset Foundation Head of National Programmes

Dorset Foundation Head of National Programmes

Learning and National Partnerships
Full-time; 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Permanent
£56,195 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 17 April 2025

About the role:

The British Museum works across the UK in partnership with more than 200 cultural organisations. We are committed to sharing the collection and exchanging knowledge with partners to create a positive educational, social and economic impact across the UK. Our loans to partnership museums and galleries facilitate new perspectives on our shared global history, reflecting diverse viewpoints, lived experiences and collective ideas.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead on the British Museum's strategic national partnership activity. The Museum's masterplan will open up new and exciting partnership opportunities, and the successful candidate will foster and build strong relationships with museums, communities and other stakeholders across the UK to develop and deliver projects and initiatives that share the collection as widely as possible.

Key areas of responsibility:

1. To deliver the national programme, working in equal partnership with regional and national museums and other key partners across London and the UK
2. Support the Public Engagement directorate to deliver the Museum's national strategy and align with emerging priorities of the Masterplan
3. Collaborate with colleagues across the British Museum teams to ideate and deliver innovative loan, touring and other projects, together with external partners.
4. To represent and act as an advocate for the national programme, maintaining an excellent level of awareness of relevant developments in the UK and an excellent network of contacts for the exchange of information, expertise and prospective collaboration
5. To co-ordinate and promote the national program with regional and devolved national agencies, local authorities and DCMS

The role requires someone who can confidently build and maintain strong professional relationships and work collaboratively on the development and delivery of multi-disciplinary projects. The role requires someone with strategic focus, who is able to shape the national programme to deliver on the wider BM vision and values. Previous programme or project management, loans and/or exhibition development experience would be helpful in enabling you to fulfil this role.

Excellent organisational, advocacy, and communication skills, written and verbal, are essential, and an ability to influence stakeholders internally and externally. You will bring a strong understanding of the UK cultural sector along with a well-established network of regional contacts.

The postholder will be required to travel to different cities and museums across the UK as part of this role.

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 such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery.

1. Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years' service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
2. Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
3. Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
4. 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.
5. Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
6. Professional and personal development opportunities
7. Employee Assistance Programme
8. Discounts on food and gift shop purchases

For more information about this role, please see the job description.

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details.