Project Coordinator: Collection and Documentation

Project Coordinator: Collection and Documentation

About the role:
The postholder will deliver, monitor, and report on acquisitions and long-term loans activity. They will be responsible for documentation workflows, standards, and processes in the Collection Management System (MI+) relating to acquisitions and long-term loans.

The primary focus of this role will be to manage a project to investigate and resolve long term loans into the British Museum, ensuring better accountability of the collection and mitigating legal, financial, and reputational risks. The postholder will work closely with curatorial, legal services, conservation, and collection care colleagues to manage the acquisition, return, or renewal of objects identified as loans in.

The role will involve researching the Museum’s own records and appropriate public records to trace and contact original lenders and/or current owners and then formalise the status of each object.

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Responsible for planning and logistics for new acquisitions and long-term loans in and out in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
2. Deliver standard processes for monitoring and reporting on acquisitions and long-term loans, efficiently and effectively.
3. Ensure basic inventory records are created for all new acquisitions and long-term loans on entry to the Museum, setting and reviewing data entry targets in consultation with stakeholders.
4. Manage the Collection Co-ordinator.
5. Ensure compliance with licences, legal requirements, and statutory obligations and assist in risk identification and review.
6. Manage an ongoing programme of acquisitions and long-term loans in collaboration with stakeholders, monitoring project budgets, and planning resource requirements.

About you:

1. Knowledge of museum and cultural sector.
2. Experience of working in a museum/gallery or related organisation.
3. Experience of exhibition/loans co-ordination.
4. Experience of acquisition administration.
5. Knowledge of Collection documentation.
6. Excellent co-ordination and time management skills; ability to prioritise and allocate resources appropriately.
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
8. Ability to synthesise and report on information orally and in writing.
9. Experience of stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
10. Ability to work within a variety of different teams.
11. Confident user of ICT with proficiency in Excel and Word.

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 one of the leading visitor attractions and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, the Admonitions Scroll, and the Amaravati sculptures.

The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

1. Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and bank holidays.
2. Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme.
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.

Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of in order to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.

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.