Senior Content & Interpretation Editor

About the role

We have a rare opportunity for a Senior Content & Interpretation Editor to join our team.

This is an exciting new role within the organisation where you will support the strategic delivery of our priorities. We are looking for a passionate editor to develop our online and in-gallery interpretation and support the implementation of our interpretation framework.

You must already have substantial experience in developing both text-based and digital interpretation. You will have excellent written and verbal communications skills with a sharp eye for detail and linguistic nuance. You will be an integral part of our cross department editorial panel, working across different departments as well as working autonomously.

While this role’s focus is editing text-based content for high profile exhibitions and displays, it will also provide support for video and audio scripts. You will coordinate the editorial pool, steer the implementation of our new interpretation framework, accessibility guidelines and support the delivery of training across the organisation. You’ll be confident managing relationships with a range of key stakeholders including internal colleagues and partner organisations.


The difference you’ll make

This role requires creative and critical thinking combined with advanced editing skills and an understanding of how to manage people and projects. Working with key internal stakeholders the postholder will deliver interpretation and content that meets our vision to make art work for everyone.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

- Develop engaging interpretive text (including audio and video scripts) for our exhibitions and other content types with curators and project managers.

- Work closely with the interpretation editorial panel to implement our new interpretation framework and meet our accessibility requirements and strategic vision.

- Chair the interpretation editorial panel and manage our editorial schedule and regular training.

- Edit a range of content types for a variety of projects, including major capital projects and exhibitions and displays.

- Manage the interpretation editorial pool, ensuring a high quality of work through direction, training, and communication.

- Advise on best practice interpretive text writing, championing the interpretation framework, accessibility guidelines and house style guidelines and ensuring all text complies with our principles, performing training where required.

- Update interpretation guidelines as required to ensure that they continually reflect developments in best practice in the profession and the interpretation framework and disseminate accordingly. As part of this, contribute to the development of our approach to terminology within interpretive text.

- Liaise with relevant colleagues in departments across NGS, including Collection & Research, Visitor Experience, Digital, Collection Care and Marketing & Communications to ensure the effective implementation of our interpretation principles and strategy across sites.

- Promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/dignity and actively contributing to developments that support our strategy for widening equality, diversity and inclusion.

- Keep up to date with developments around interpretation through research, attending conferences and training, sharing outputs with colleagues to maintain and further our reputation as a national and international leader in interpretation.

- Manage budgets and procure, appoint suppliers for our interpretation editorial work.



Who we are looking for

To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:

- A degree in English, journalism, or a related field preferably with a post graduate qualification in museum studies or a related field

- Extensive experience in developing both text-based and digital interpretation within a museum/gallery context.

- Significant interpersonal and consultative skills, including the ability to communicate, present, negotiate, influence, and build credibility with colleagues and external parties.

- Exceptional editing, editorial, creative writing and critical thinking skills.

- Experience in managing projects and coordinating teams.

- A passion for art, storytelling, creativity and accessibility.

- Experience of reaching and engaging with audiences through storytelling and content.

- Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative attitude and understanding of the issues involved in working in partnership.

- Experience in editing a range of interpretation and content types in a gallery and heritage context.

- Experience working within a range of corporate information management systems e.g. M365, DAMS, content management, web systems.

- Good organisational and time management skills.

- Ability to plan and work on own initiative.

- An interest in and commitment to the work of NGS.


It would also be great if you have:

- Knowledge of Scots and Gaelic Languages.

- Knowledge of our collection and programme.

- Experience in developing and delivering training for staff.

- Knowledge of best practices in design thinking, information architecture and user experience.

- Familiar with commitments relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.

- Knowledge of search engine optimization and accessibility.


Please apply directly via our careers portal. Applications via email will not be accepted.

Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 07 January 2025.

Museum Website: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/careers