Head Curator

As a member of the Senior Management Team, responsible to the Museum Director, the role of 
Head Curator has a critical part to play in shaping the Museum’s future strategy over the next three 
years, supporting fundraising for sustainable development and the promotion of the Museum as a 
visitor attraction. Liaising closely with the Museum Director and Deputy Director, this role will 
align curatorial services, projects and programmes to the requirements of a modern, people-focused and ambitious museum. 
The role is responsible for ensuring an ethical curatorial practice that meets all necessary best 
practice standards and compliance for our complex Collection. It will lead and develop our team of 
curatorial specialists to deliver modern, high-quality outputs for the development, care & 
conservation, interpretation, digitisation, access to & understanding of the Designated 
Collection. The position will build a keen interest in military and/or engineering history to grow the 
Museum’s reputation as an authority on the history of military engineering, promoting its archive 
and research services. 

Responsibilities:
• Contribute proactively to the creation of an ambitious development strategy for the Museum, 
establishing key performance indicators and ensuring that all curatorial activities, including 
planning for major refurbishment projects, support the delivery of our charitable purpose and 
strategic aims, delivering sustainable growth and positive impact on existing and new 
audiences. 
• Lead the curatorial department as line manager in line with all Museum HR policy and 
process, liaising with Museum HR consultants as appropriate. 
• Act as advocate for professional curatorial practice and standards at the RE Museum, setting 
performance targets, objectives, undertaking staff appraisals, supporting staff training and 
development and ensuring that best practice standards for curation, care, interpretation and 
access are met. 
• Lead on the development and timely review of all collections team polices and strategies, 
including interpretation, collection development, collections management and digitisation 
policies. Ensure compliance with the Collections Loan Agreement with the Institution of 
Royal Engineers as well as all the MA Code of Ethics and relevant UK legislation including 
firearms, radiation and asbestos, ED&I when relating to the historic collection. 
• Management of major projects utilising your skills in collaboration to build working groups 
from the Collections and Operations teams as required. 
• Lead on the narrative voice of the Museum’s interpretation and engagement, ensuring that 
the history and heritage of the Corps is well researched (reflecting current academic debate) 
and authoritative, engaging with diverse users and stakeholders e.g. serving Sappers, the 
Royal Engineers Historical Society and local audiences. 
• Lead the Collections team in the development plans for collections care, cataloguing, and 
digitisation that prioritises public access and audience focused practice. 
• Oversee all engagement with the Corps of Royal Engineers, veterans associations and service 
families groups; develop services and activities that support espirit de corps, encouraging 
learning and awareness of the history and heritage of British military engineering as well as 
the experiences of individual Sappers and an interest in scientific and technological 
development. 
• Develop a network and partnerships that support research into the history of the Corps of 
Royal Engineers and a better understanding of the Museum Collection, its significance and 
future development. 
• Support the work of the Learning Team, giving guidance on historical context and use of 
Collections for all informal and formal learning outputs. 
• Support Museum special events and marketing (including website and social media), 
advising on themes, authoring content, giving in-person and recorded talks, tours and media 
interviews as required. 
• As a member of Senior Management team, developing a key partnership with the Deputy 
Director, you will work to evaluate the performance and impact of activities; collecting 
participant/user data and feedback to improve existing and create new services, 
interpretation and programmes. 
• Work with the Director to manage resources appropriately and support Museum fundraising 
plan; applying for grants, building sponsorship and encouraging donations for appropriate 
projects and programmes. 
• In line with Museum policy and procedures, monitor building services and condition in so far 
as it effects the safekeeping of and public engagement with the Museum Collection, liaising 
with MoD and maintenance contractors as required. 
• In line with Museum policy and procedures, liaise with Museum IT and website providers in so 
far as it effects the safekeeping of digital collection assets and public engagement with the 
Museum Collection. 
• Liaising with Collections Team managers on curatorial department and relevant project budgets. 
Ensuring best value for money and accurate reporting as well as contributing, as a member of the 
Senior Management Team, to planning and forecasting for Trustees. 
• Responsibilities as a senior manager at the Museum also include but are not limited to: 

• Museum representative on the RE Historical Society Executive Committee. 
• Supporting the work of the Friends of the RE Museum. 
• Representing the Museum at heritage sector, regimental & corps museum and local community events when required. 
• Reporting for and attendance at Museum Trustee Boards.

Person Specification:
1 Educated to degree level or equivalent experience of research and 
authorship. (Essential)

2 Post graduate qualification or equivalent experience or CPD achievements 
in curatorship and/or heritage management. (Essential)
3 Knowledge of Collection Management process for museum and archive 
collections. (Essential)l
4 Knowledge of sector standards for Museums and Archives, including 
Accreditation schemes and ethical practice. (Essential)
5 Demonstrable project management experience; from initial inception to 
final delivery. (Desirable)
6 Experience of leading and managing change. (Essential)
7 Staff/volunteer management experience. (Essential)
8 Research experience. (Essential)
9 Experience of grant fundraising. (Desirable)
10 Knowledge of or interest in the Armed Forces’ history and heritage. (Essential)
11 Clear and concise written and oral communication skills. (Essential)
12 Excellent interpersonal and networking skills. (Essential)
13 Excellent team working and leadership skills. (Essential)
14 Self-motivation and an ability to work under pressure to meet targets and 
deadlines without supervision. (Essential)
15 Sound judgement and analytical skills. (Essential)

Applications by CV of no more than 3 sides of A4 and covering letter summarising your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the role should be sent to Rebecca Nash, Museum Director, at
r.nash@re-museum.co.uk.

Closing date for submission is the 18th April 2025.
A competitive two stage recruitment process will include:
First round interviews on the 8th May 2025 at the Museum.
Second round interviews on the 22nd May 2025 in London