Curatorial Assistant

Curatorial Assistant (Part-time), Tower of London

Salary: £21,450 - £23,059 plus £2,700 per annum London Weighting (paid monthly) pro rata 3 days per week

Location: London

Level: Technical

Hours: 21.6

The Royal Armouries is Britain’s oldest national museum and houses the national collection of arms and armour. It began life as the armoury of the monarchs of England, housed in the Tower of London. The armoury was first opened to paying visitors during the reign of Charles II (1660-1685) and has been open to the public ever since.

The Royal Armouries’ displays in the White Tower, together with other items on display outdoors, form one of the major attractions at the Tower of London (ToL). We also store a large number of items on site and manage a small, publicly accessible library and archive. Although only the Collections Department has staff based at the ToL, all RA Departments are active there, both in carrying out their business and in liaison with Historic Royal Palaces, who manage the site as a whole.

Your main duties will be assisting in the day-to-day management of the collection: including cataloguing, providing collections access, assisting with enquiries and content work.

The ideal candidate will have a proven interest in arms and armour. They will be an excellent team player who is hardworking, open, thorough, adaptable, accountable and engaging.

This is a permanent position, working part-time 21.6 hours per week, 3 days out of 7. Weekend, Bank Holiday and evening working will occasionally be required, as will some travel.

Benefits:

• Access to the Bike2Work scheme
• Access to EAP Employee Assistance Program
• 27.5 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• 25% off staff shop in Leeds
• Staff discount on food in on-site café at the Tower of London
• Pension scheme max employer contribution is 9%
• Applications for assistance with relocation costs will be considered

Purpose of the Job

To assist the Senior Keeper (Keeper of Tower Armouries) and the Curator of Tower Armouries and Art in the curation and management of, and public access to, the Royal Armouries collection of arms and armour, archives and rare books at the Tower in line with the targets and objectives. To work alongside Collections Directorate colleagues and to support collaboration between the Collections and Learning, Brand and Audiences, Operations and Finance Directorates.

Key Tasks:

• To assist in the provision of access to the collection and associated information
• To assist in the cataloguing and auditing of the collections to Spectrum and agreed RA ‘minimum’ standards
• To assist in answering enquiries as assigned by Keepers/Curators
• To assists with the loans programme including couriering, installation, site visits and loan reports associated with collections loans
• To assist with specific research as directed by Keepers/Curators
• To assist with all aspects of permanent and temporary exhibitions and displays and with associated online content
• To assist with the Collections programme of public lectures, tours and seminars
• To assist in the supervision of volunteers and work placements
• To support the work of other Collections teams and collaborate with all other Directorates
• To contribute to the enhancement of our knowledge of the collection, undertaking research for specific projects where directed and publishing in line with the research strategy
• To assist with facilitating reading room access as requested
• To assist in the acquisitions and disposals processes
• To assist the Office Administrator with oversight of Royal Armouries estate at the Tower of London – liaising as necessary with Historic Royal Palaces services
• To undertake any other tasks reasonably commensurate with the job role.

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