The Organisation
The National Museum of Ireland is a leader in preserving and promoting Ireland’s heritage across the island and the world. Contributing to the collective memory and identity of all people with Irish connections, nationally and internationally, through our collections and programmes. We welcome over one million visitors annually to our four museums situated in Dublin and Mayo – (Museum of Decorative Arts and History at Collins Barracks, Museum of Archaeology at Kildare Street, Natural History Museum on Merrion Street and Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park). Our vision is to be a place of sanctuary and surprise providing opportunities to be inspired, engaged and informed through inclusive and accessible events and diverse public programmes. Through greater accessibility to our collections, NMI will strengthen how our audiences can engage with their cultural heritage. We will offer unexpected and diverse public programmes and develop opportunities for increased research and engagement.
The Role
The role of Director of Collections and Access is part of the senior management team of the Museum and will contribute to its management and development. They will be responsible for providing leadership, innovation and direction on all collections, collections access and research matters and will ensure implementation of the National Museum of Ireland’s strategic plan and priorities.
The role will also have responsibility for line managing the collections and research team including four curatorial departments (Art & Industry, Irish Antiquities, Irish Folk life and Natural History), the Conservation, and Registration Departments as well as Graphic Design and Photography and Online Collections. They will also ensure the collections are managed, made accessible, interpreted, researched and digitised, realising their education and learning potential.
Application and Further Information
For further information and to apply for this role visit www.mazars.ie/executiverecruitment.
All enquiries relating to this role should be directed to the Executive Recruitment Team by email to execrecruit@mazars.ie or by telephone on +353 (1) 449 4400.
Mazars will be managing all aspects of this recruitment project on behalf of NMI
No enquiries or canvassing should be made directly to NMI
Deadline for applications: Tuesday, 2nd May at 12noon.
NMI is an equal opportunities employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality at all levels of the organisation.
The Person
A dynamic and innovative cultural leader, the individual will have demonstrated expertise and experience in collections care and access in an arts or cultural institution at a strategic level. Driven by collaborative solutions they will ensure an integrated approach across all departments to the management and interpretation of the collections. Providing leadership and motivation they will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as media and stakeholder management experience. Well-developed people management expertise and an interest in creating the conditions for enabling employees to realise their full potential as professionals and leaders are important attributes.
Essential Requirements
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate evidence of:
- A qualification of at least level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g. history, art history, archaeology, anthropology, natural sciences, conservation, education, museum studies, cultural management, archives or library services)
- Significant experience of working at management/ an or senior management level in a museum, academic, or other relevant environment in at least one of the following areas: collections management, curation, conservation, education or learning;
- Experience of leading strategic projects in cultural institutions or public bodies;
- Experience of working with collections in cultural institutions;
- Proven leadership skills and team-working ability and experience
- Well -developed people management skills, including evidence of professional and leadership development of direct reports.
- Experience of managing significant budgets and overseeing business planning;
- A keen interest in research and action learning and experience of leading research proposals and development.
- Knowledge of current issues and best practice in museums studies, curation, interpretation, collections management, online collections access and collections digitisation;
- Excellent communication writing and interpersonal skills;
- Good analytical skills and the ability to identify solutions;
- Proven initiative and innovation skills and ability to make critical judgements based on evidence;
- Ability to prioritise and manage workloads, to cope with conflicting demands on time
Desirable Requirements
The successful candidate may demonstrate evidence of:
- Post-graduate degree/qualification in a relevant discipline or subject;
- Experience of delivering large-scale strategic projects and/ or culture change within cultural institutions or public bodies.
- Experience of leadership in a multi-disciplinary environment;
- Experience in project management;
- Experience in delivering academic research projects with a proven research publication record;
- Experience of drafting strategies, policies, reports and plans;
- Experience of procurement and contract management;
- Experience in applying for grants and fundraising;
- Good ICT literacy;
- Understanding of general Government Accounting and Public Financial Procedures.