Curator: Medieval and Modern Collections

About the role:
This is an exciting opportunity to become lead curator of the medieval and modern numismatic collection. This role’s collections responsibilities cover a vast geographic and chronological range, from the end of Roman rule in Britain (and parallel developments in continental Europe) through to the early modern period in around AD1700. The medieval and early modern British series are a particular strength of the numismatic collection. This role will be responsible for their research, acquisitions, publication and public display, with opportunities to develop collaborative exhibition and research projects which extend into other collections. The role is further anticipated to make a strategically significant contribution to the management and leadership of the Museum at an important time, as it undergoes an ambitious project to transform its permanent galleries.

Key areas of responsibility:
• To lead major research projects on, and beyond, the medieval and modern money collection including projects involving external partners
• To raise money to support research projects on and beyond the medieval and modern collection, including projects involving external partners
• To make the medieval and modern money collection publicly accessible via high-profile publication, digital, display, and broadcast projects
• To contribute significantly to the management of the Museum
• Leading, managing and motivating a curatorial and research team, including responsibility for managing performance and supporting professional development

About you:
• BA/BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
• Externally recognized authority in a relevant subject area
• Membership of relevant learned societies
• Experience of display, research, publication and broadcast projects
• Co-investigator in a major research project
• Track record in securing research grants and income generation
• Experienced manager of people, projects and budgets
• Extensive publication record in relevant subjects including publications of internationally recognised merit

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 holds an extensive numismatic collection of almost 800,000 coins, medals and other money-related items spanning more than 2500 years.


The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

• 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 (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
• 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:
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 to [email protected].

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: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-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. You can find more information here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job

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.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.

Museum Website: https://bmrecruit.ciphr-irecruit.com//templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_8002.aspx