Museum Development Officer

Job Description

Part Time Employed – 6 month contract (may extend)

19.5 hours per week over 3 days, normally Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Responsible to the Joint Chairs of Trustees

Congleton Museum is a small free entry volunteer-led independent museum.  We are currently installing a new Collections Management System and aiming to improve access to our extensive collection with both online and physical exhibitions and interpretation.  There is a strong team of volunteers working on the project, alongside others who keep the museum running from day to day.  We are keen to raise the profile of the museum within the town and to find new sustainable sources of income.

Duties may include:

1. Organising the recruitment, induction and training of new volunteers and supervising their work.
2. Encouraging interest in the museum’s collection and facilitating public access, including through research, display, formal and informal learning activities, publications and online information.
3. Facilitating loans to and from the museum in liaison with other museums.
4. Working with the trustees on the renewal of the Arts Council England Museum Accreditation Scheme.
5. Supporting the aims of the trust by working with trustees on fundraising bids, initiating and contributing to other income-raising activities and developing partnerships with external organisations.
6. Internal and external communications, including developing the museum’s website and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and X), sourcing appropriate images and writing posts reflecting museum activities.
7. Regular operation of the museum, including security procedures, dealing with queries and emails from visitors and commercial contacts, and the recording of  visitor numbers.

Essential qualities and skills

1. Effective verbal, written and interpersonal skills
2. Relevant experience in a museum or similar environment.
3. Awareness of collections management best practice and enthusiasm for working with collections.
4. Awareness of the Arts Council England Accreditation Scheme
5. The ability to make specialist knowledge comprehensible to a lay audience through different interpretative means.
6. A proven ability to demonstrate initiative and resolve problems.
7. Strong IT skills (the museum uses Microsoft 365, WordPress, Canva, Zettle, etc)
8. A willingness to undertake relevant online and in person training as required.
9. The ability to work flexibly, independently and as part of a team.

Desirable qualities and skills

1. A relevant degree or post-graduate qualification.
2. Experience of working with volunteers.
3. Experience of website management.