Head of Collection Care – Auckland War Memorial Museum
Tamaki Paenga Hira: Tui tui hono tangata, whenua me te moana.
Ko Tamaki Paenga Hira, hewaengarahi ake, he ngakau mahaki mo te kaitiakitanga taonga pu korero, pakiwaitara, korero tipua ano hoki mai i nga kai para korero
Auckland Museum is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking museum professional to lead our Collection Care team in an exciting period of the Museum’s development.
The Museum’s collections span a wide range of formats, subjects and materials across the human history, natural science and documentary heritage fields. Managing long-term preservation while allowing for various modes of access to and use of these collections is a key challenge of the role. Upcoming developments will see significant changes to the display and storage of collections and this role will be a key contributor, providing advocacy for collection care to the planning and delivery a range of projects. The Head of Collection Care leads the long-term preservation of the Museum’s collections through both advocacy and direct management of activities which upgrade and enhance the care and condition of the collections. The position is responsible for maintaining and improving the physical state of collections through policy and procedure development, preventive care strategies and through management of projects which optimise the storage and care of the collections. Contributions to Museum-wide programmes and building development projects are vital parts of the long-term success of the role. We are looking for someone eager to provide outstanding leadership to the Museum’s team of Conservators, Collection Managers and other project staff who work on the preservation, storage and conservation treatment of the collections. The successful candidate will be a positive player in our diverse organisation and will have strengths in building relationships and provoking new thinking in the care, storage and management of museum collections. The successful candidate will have:
- Tertiary qualification in the Conservation of Cultural Materials or a Degree in a field relevant to the Museum’s collections
- A Museum Studies qualification would be desirable
- Minimum 10 years’ work experience in museums or a closely related field
- Extensive experience in the care and management of heritage collections
- Thorough knowledge and experience of requirements for the safe handling, packing, transport, display, conservation and storage of museum objects to current museum standards
- Extensive familiarity with conservation principles and the needs of a wide range of object materials
- Ability to advocate effectively for preservation issues and concerns and to negotiate solutions in an environment of competing priorities
- Broad knowledge of New Zealand history and cultures and/or natural sciences
- Good knowledge of tikanga Maori particularly its application to collection care
- Demonstrated experience as a team-player and in managing people, budgets, resources and projects in a multi-disciplinary organisation
- Good intuition combined with discriminating use of data to drive and communicate directions and priorities for a team
- Excellent staff management experience with proven ability to lead, train and supervise staff and to engender enthusiasm and commitment
- Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing at a high level within the Museum and to external collaborators and clients
- Desire to work in a dynamic museum and in a cross functional team environment
- Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, holidays and/or weekends
- Current drivers licence desirable
We invite motivated applicants with team leadership experience and thorough knowledge of current practice in preservation management and public access with a working knowledge of conservation of museum collections. Closing Date: 5pm Sunday, 1 February 2015. You must be eligible to work in NZ to apply for this position. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to be part of a fabulous New Zealand organisation committed to telling our national and Auckland stories and reflecting our unique place in the South Pacific.
To apply for this job, please apply online or go to our job site
http://careers.aucklandmuseum.com and enter the job code 4630MA.
YOU MUST APPLY VIA OUR CAREERS SITE. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED INCORRECTLY WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.
Closing date: Sunday, 1 February 2015 – 5:00pm
