Head of Documentation and Digitisation

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Programme Delivery Leader to join the Collection Programme Management department.

In 2024, the British Museum’s main site in Camden received 6.5 million visitors, more than any other museum in the UK. Against this backdrop, the Museum is now undergoing an extraordinary transformation, both intellectual and physical, and there could not be a more meaningful time to join the Museum to support a key aspect of this.

The Collections Documentation and Digitisation Programme is the museum’s strategic initiative, designed to achieve comprehensive documentation and digitisation of its vast and diverse collection. Spanning eight curatorial departments and backed by a £10 million investment over five years, the programme will transform access to the collection through high-quality photography, rigorous documentation, and verification of objects, creating a sector-leading digital resource for public and academic engagement.

If you are an experienced Programme Director with exceptional leadership, strategic oversight and programme delivery expertise, we’d love to hear from you.

Key areas of responsibility

• Lead the delivery of the Collections Documentation Programme on behalf of the Director of Collections, planning and monitoring its delivery.
• Collaborate with the Director of Collections on project direction, ensuring alignment with the Museum’s broader vision and strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with colleagues and key stakeholders to deliver the forward plan and contribute to other projects as necessary.
• Oversee programme governance, including budgetary control, risk management and more.
• Ensure Museum-wide standards and policies for documentation and digitisation are clear and well communicated.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive programme plan, including timelines, milestones and more.
• Support and mentor project colleagues and ensure suitable training is available in collaboration with the People and Culture department and departmental leads.

About you

• Extensive experience leading strategic programmes, governance and risk management.
• Previous experience in senior leadership roles in project delivery and/or collections management.
• Experience of project management processes and issue resolution.
• Proven leadership and team management, managing cross departmental project teams in a matrix environment.
• Fantastic communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage at Executive and Trustee level.

Benefits

• Be a part of a world-renowned institution, where history, culture, and innovation come together!
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after long service) plus 2.5 privilege days, in addition to bank holidays
• Generous civil service pension scheme (find out more here)
• Complimentary exhibition tickets
• Free entry at paid national museum and gallery exhibitions
• Free and discounted entry to international cultural organisations
• Interest-free travel loans and rental deposit loans
• Employee Assistance Programme for mental health support
• 1 hour paid lunch break
• Subsidised staff canteen
• Discounts on gift shop purchases

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered. These are:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

Additional details

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 employees 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 in line with their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.

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/jobdetail_8471.aspx