Chief Curator, RIBA Collections

Be part of the vision; be part of the RIBA.

RIBA is a global professional membership body, and a cultural organisation, driving excellence in architecture.

Salary: c£58,000 per annum, based upon experience

Location: London – across RIBA Collections locations in London

Hours: 35 hours per week, full time, permanent. See note about period to 31 December 2024 below.

Why Join us?

Our Benefits:

RIBA offers an amazing employee benefits package which includes (a) a generous pension scheme with employer contributions (up to 12%), (b) life assurance, (c) annual leave of 27 days plus bank holidays and paid closure of 3 discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. For more details on our benefits click here

Highlight

This unique, pivotal and world-leading role as Chief Curator of the RIBA Collections is rarely available, having only had three postholders since its creation in 1961. With the forthcoming retirement of Charles Hind, the opportunity to play a major part in the future of the RIBA Collections as the leading subject matter expert and collections curator is a significant one, and we seek a world class candidate to fill this post.

About the Role

The RIBA Collections’ Chief Curator is the subject lead and subject matter expert in architectural history for the RIBA, and provides scholarship and thought leadership to the profession nationally and internationally. They provide strategic & operational leadership to the curatorial teams to ensure delivery of a robust, vibrant and coherent programme of collection development and management, access and outreach. Until 2027 they are the site lead for the RIBA at the V&A South Kensington, London, and will play a major part in helping secure and deliver the RIBA Collections’ new home as part of the overall RIBA House of Architecture programme.

Please note that our appointed candidate will understudy the Chief Curator role reporting to the current postholder, and learn in depth and detail about the RIBA collections, for a period from their appointment up until 31 December 2024 – we envisage this period to be around 6 months. From 1 January 2025, the successful candidate will become Chief Curator in their own right.

What are we looking for?

• Someone with nationally and internationally recognised expertise in at least one significant area of architectural history, with a broad general knowledge of the subject as a whole.
• You should have extensive collections management and curatorial experience including leading a curatorial team. You will have a recognised postgraduate qualification in museum studies, archives management or librarianship, or equivalent experience, along with a high level research qualification (MPhil or PhD/DPhil) or equivalent external recognition.
• You will be able to demonstrate to us a track record as a team player with collegiate style and extensive experience of emotionally intelligent leadership.
• You will bring a strong network in the spheres of architectural heritage and culture to the role and show us how you have used and grown your networks to develop collections and secure acquisitions.
• You will be a leader who has grown and diversified collecting into under-represented areas.

If you would like to apply for the position, please view the full job description below (found at 'supporting documents') and submit your CV and covering letter using the form below.  Additionally, please ensure that you complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which will be submitted separate from your application.

Closing date: Monday 11 March 2024
Interview date: First Round: w/c 15 April 2024 – exact panel date to be confirmed, interviews will be in person in London; Second Round tbc

Due to high volumes of applications we are unable to respond to everyone, however, should you be shortlisted for interview we will be in touch.  We may also close an advert earlier than the date above if we receive enough quality applications.

Please note that you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK.  We are unable to proceed with any candidates who cannot show the relevant documentation so please only apply if you meet these criteria. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

RIBA aims to be an inclusive employer, committed to building an authentic and diverse environment where all are encouraged to be themselves. We champion work/life balance and welcome requests for flexible working across our organisation. We value applications from all sections of society and appreciate divergent experience, therefore if you are excited about the role and working with us, yet your experience may not align perfectly with every single skill or competency, we encourage you to apply anyway.  

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