Director of Collections’ Strategy

The University of Cambridge is renowned for its record of discovery and innovation. It is one of the great Higher Education institutions, with a regional, national, and global reach, attracting the very best and brightest minds. The University’s Museums, Botanic Garden, and Libraries care for the UK’s highest concentration of internationally important collections outside London. With millions of books, artifacts, and specimens, they work together to deepen understanding of our world, inspire new thinking, and address local and global challenges.

The University is now looking for a Director of Collections’ Strategy. This exciting new position, situated within the University’s Academic Division, is designed to further the University’s mission to contribute to society through excellence in education, learning, and research, by harnessing the distinctiveness of, and opportunities arising from, the University’s extraordinary Collections. The Director of Collections’ Strategy will:

• Be responsible for the collective ambition of the University Libraries, eight Museums, and the Botanic Garden at a senior strategic level. Line-managed by the Academic Secretary and working closely with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (University Community and Engagement), 
• Work in concert with the Directors of the University’s Collections to enhance further the impact and profile of the University’s Collections by leading the development and implementation of the University’s first Collections-wide vision and strategy. 
• Increase the resilience of the collections by devising new models to leverage their resources and capabilities and enhance their operational efficiency.
• Lead an established team of public engagement, learning, impact, inclusion, communications, and partnership specialists. In addition, they will work closely with directors and senior staff across the Collections. 
• Act as a key advocate for the Collections within and outside the University, nationally and internationally, working with funders and other external stakeholders, and playing a leading role in enabling and promoting public and research access to, and engagement with the Collections. 

The successful candidate will have experience working at a senior level, including partnership building and raising funds, in an arts, collections, or cultural environment comparable in significance, complexity, and scale with the University’s Collections. They will be an individual with the credibility and sensitivity to work with colleagues across the Collections, other senior University colleagues, and with external partners. They will have a values-based approach to leadership, with a naturally inclusive, collaborative style where progress is made through consultation and debate. They will have a strong affinity with the University’s mission and a passion for the arts, science, culture, heritage, and the associated opportunities for research, learning, and engagement.

The University actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification, and how to apply, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/ quoting reference 6824. 

The deadline for applications is Sunday 22nd October at midnight.