National Museums NI is a leading cultural institution and is responsible for ensuring that its significant collection is developed, cared for and accessible to the widest possible audience. Almost one million people enjoy our four museums each year, and through loans, research, community activity and digital programmes we engage a much wider audience than those who physically visit our museums.
We believe that our museums can play an important and valuable role at the heart of society. Through our work we preserve, protect and promote the region’s cultural assets, knowledge and collective memory. We provide shared and trusted spaces to explore who we are, where we have come from and where we might be going. We engage and work in partnership with the public to share stories and care for and present a vast range of objects bringing important cultural, educational, social and scientific ideas to life. We unite the past, present and future; enhance health and well-being; make places more attractive to live in, work and visit; and, create positive economic impact. We inspire present and future generations of pioneers, designers, makers and community leaders. Our museums are loved and trusted public institutions: they provide joy, prompt reflection, and foster curiosity about the world around us.
Our vision
To celebrate who we are, telling the stories of our past, challenging our present, shaping our future.
The role
The Collections Operations Manager will support the development and delivery of an integrated collections storage and logistics strategy across all collections and sites, delivering policies, standards, practices and procedures. In doing so, they will support increasing access to collections and engaging new and existing audiences. The post holder will be responsible for co-ordinating the development of collections storage and operational technical teams to ensure the security of the collection in support of the organisation’s corporate objectives of increasing participation and delivering key outcomes for a wide range of audiences and users.
Under the direction of the Head of Collections Services, the post-holder will manage a team of professional collections storage and operations technical staff. They will work closely with colleagues within the Collections Directorate and liaise with other departments and external contractors to ensure high standards of collections operations across National Museum NI.
The Assistant Registrar will assist the Registrar in fulfilling registry functions, procedures and administration across National Museums NI. They will work cooperatively and collaboratively with others internally and externally to achieve the aims and objectives of the Directorate and the wider organisation. They will form part of the Collections Services Team and support the Registrar in effective collections management operations within the Directorate.
A particular focus will be collections accountability in a range of collections management issues in National Museums NI. Additionally, the Assistant Registrar will have an active role in ensuring that collections management procedures are aligned with Accreditation Standards.
The successful applicant will use their specialist IT and database systems skills to ensure that National Museums NI’s staff are fully supported with a robust and effective collections management system and the reports, tools and training needed. The Collections Information Systems Officer will help National Museums NI to continue to develop the management of the collections by recommending appropriate system and process solutions to deliver change, by modelling existing workflows and using their knowledge of collections management principles and concepts.
By working closely with National Museums NI staff, the system supplier and the ICT department the post holder will ensure that existing systems work together in an integrated manner to support business critical projects. The post holder will be expected to take a pro-active role in delivering efficient and effective solutions to support users, applying a high level of technical knowledge at different levels. They will work with key stakeholders to develop and enhance the Collections Management System infrastructure in line with user needs.
This role will work in parallel with another Collections Information Systems Officer and together act as the main point of contact for users of the system. This role sits within the Collections Directorate.