British Council
Job title:
Collection Coordinator (Visual Arts)
Company
British Council
Job description
We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021-22 we reached 650 million people.
Important Information on the Role:
Contract Type – Indefinite
Location- London, U.K.
Working Pattern – Hybrid with 1 or 2 days a week from home.
Pay Band – 6
Salary – up to 26,995 plus 3,300 London weighting allowance
Benefits include :
– 32 days annual leave
– Attractive civil service pension scheme with 27% employer contribution
Application Closing date – 7th April,2024
Candidates applying must have the legal right to work in the UK now and in future. British Council will not sponsor visas.
Role Purpose:
This is an exciting moment to join the British Council Collection as it prepares for a major relocation and embarks on new developments and ambitions in its 86th year. The Collection Coordinator will be part of a dynamic team charged with implementing a new strategy for the British Council Collection, aimed at increasing visibility, access, and use of the Collection both in the UK and internationally. As Collections Coordinator you will work alongside the Collections Manager, providing administrative support in the smooth running of the day-to-day management of the Collection. This includes supporting all operational administration, liaising with contractors and suppliers, processing financial information and responding to general enquiries. The role will assist with updating and maintaining accurate records of the British Council Collection using the collections management system, coordinating audits and the annual return for offices, carrying out integrated pest management and supporting storage rationalisation assessments. Other projects may include a review of the time-based media collection and the internal library holdings.
The postholder will have the opportunity to gain experience in different aspects of collections care and extensive knowledge of best practices within the sector.
The role will be based in West London, with a plan to relocate with all Collection operations to Coventry in late 2025.
Main Accountabilities:
Programme management
- Supports the maintenance of the Collection and its assets ready for use in the Visual Arts programme by implementing a range of operational procedures and systems, including preparing and maintaining documentation to UK sector standards, and following international museum collection care standards for storage, handling, packing and display.
- Maintains accuracy and constantly improves standards in the preparation and update of collection documentation: data cleansing, historical provenance research, conservation records, artist records and files for internal and external resources to improve and enrich collection documentation of art works.
- Works with the technical team to maintain up to date records for requirements and care of art works.
- Coordinates collection audits undertaking physical checks and assists with the works of art annual return for offices, updating records, and escalating issues adhering to standard policy and procedure and to agreed deadlines.
- Provides general administrative support to the Collection Manager and the wider team to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of projects related to collection care and management and assists with processing financial information and operational administration.
Sector/subject expertise
- Proactively maintains a sound working knowledge of major developments, issues and stakeholders within the Visual Arts and collections management sector to build professional credibility, confidence, and market insight.
- Keeps up to date with developments in collection documentation, care, and in the safe handling and transportation of artworks internationally.
Relationship & stakeholder management
- Takes responsibility for responding knowledgeably and professionally to enquiries about the Collection and operational facilities to ensure a high-quality customer experience and maintain the team’s reputation internally and externally.
- Maintains good working relationships across Visual Arts, Global Estates, IT, Finance, suppliers and contractors to facilitate effective and efficient operational service delivery.
- Works closely with the technical team, the Loans Coordinator and the Collection Content Coordinator
Finance & resource management
- Administers British Council financial processes and procedures to enable effective budget and resource management, including raising purchase orders and invoices and creating vendors.
- Actively seeks to maximise value for money when acquiring resources, goods or services.
- Follows agreed British Council risk management processes and procedures when delivering services.
Manages self and others
- Plans and prioritises own work activities responding to changing requirements to ensure effective delivery of responsibilities.
- Tasks and coordinates others to complete activities in accordance with agreed project or programme milestones or requirements.
- Actively works to mainstream EDI and become anti-racist in our cultures and practices within our organisation and in our programmes.
Minimum Essential:
- Good knowledge of and interest in UK visual arts and museum sector
- Demonstrable experience in a visual arts or museum environment of museum documentation, collection care and the principles of conservation condition reports
- Demonstrable knowledge of SPECTRUM standards and workflow and application of best practice and accuracy in documentation policy, procedures and processes
- Demonstrable experience of using a collection management system with excellent software, organisational and data management skills and experience, with a range of packages including Microsoft Office applications and adhering to GDPR protocols
- Good communication and relationship management skills
Desirable:
- Experience of using a financial system to process purchase orders and invoices
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of UKRG and international museum collection care standards for handling, transport and display of art
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.
We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.
Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you have any problems with your application please email
Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.
Expected salary
Location
London
Job date
Sun, 17 Mar 2024 05:53:07 GMT
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