Inventory Manager

About the role:
The British Museum has committed to documenting its entire collection within the next 5 years. The postholder will provide essential Collection Management System (MI+) support to this Project by coordinating and delivering a programme of batch edits and bulk uploads to the CMS in collaboration with the eight curatorial departments as well as wider teams.

As part of this, the post holder will manage and review quality standards for basic inventory data, terminology, new records and bulk uploads in the CMS in compliance with licences, legal requirements and statutory obligations. They will work closely with the Project Manager to monitor the overall progress of figures against the project target and analyse the quality of the records being created. They will also develop training sessions and supply advice and practical help to colleagues across the museum.

Key areas of responsibility:
• Co-ordinate and deliver a programme of batch edits and bulk uploads to the Museum’s Collection Management System (MI+) in pivotal support of the Documentation and Digitisation project.
• Establish and oversee data standards, terminology and quality assurance within the Museum’s Collection Management System (MI+), specifically focussing on inventory level records, mandatory fields, locations, and process and procedure records, working closely in collaboration with the Catalogue Manager, and Inventory Manager for Audit.
• Ensure that the documentation of registered and unregistered collection-related material is done in line with relevant collection documentation standards, e.g. SPECTRUM and existing British Museum procedures.
• Support the Documentation and Digitisation Project in reporting on KPIs in relation to the project.
• Advise on documentation best practice to stakeholders across the Museum at all levels, including staff in curatorial departments, archivists, collection managers and conservators.
• Develop and deliver training and guidance to staff in use of the Collection Management System (MI+) for object inventory and procedure records.
• Support the development and implementation of Collection Management System upgrades and relevant system modules and workflows, monitoring issues, safeguarding data integrity, and completing bug fixes and enhancements in the Collection Management System.
• Ensure compliance with licences, legal requirements and statutory obligations, e.g. H&S, Hazards, Human Tissue Act and Firearms Licence requirements along with suitable and consistent MI+ record text relating to these.
• Work with stakeholders to establish an ongoing prioritised programme of collection audits and supporting ad hoc audit requests as appropriate.
• Undertake any other relevant tasks as required.

About you:
• High levels of proficiency in Collection Management System(s) including experience in retrieval and data analysis, accurately uploading of large amounts of data, data validation and data cleaning, data mapping, and resolving terminology issues.
• Highly IT literate with proficiency in Excel and Word.
• Thorough understanding and knowledge of the UK collection management documentation standard (SPECTRUM).
• Experience of delivering documentation backlog registration projects.
• Confident, articulate and persuasive communicator, both written and verbally.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills. Actively listens to colleagues, demonstrates empathy and can build trust.
• Ability to plan and prioritise effectively.

Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
The interviews are expected to take place on 28th and 29th of August 2025.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to [email protected].

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.
We specifically encourage applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups who are underrepresented within our senior roles.
We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about two days a week.
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/job_list.aspx