Property Curator

Job Description

Summary Our remarkable collections are held across hundreds of properties and places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They include outstanding internationally important works of art and material culture such as paintings, sculptures, textiles, dress, decorativearts, furniture, books and libraries, as well as highly significant industrial, agricultural photographic, archaeological and archival collections. We also care for places and landscapes with complex and fascinating histories.Whilst all properties are unique, our cohort of Property Curators are positioned at our most internationally significant properties to take a leading role in caring for, researching and innovatively interpreting the place, the people and its collections.We have an exciting opportunity for a Property Curator at Petworth House.Interviews will be held on Monday 5th December at Petworth House.Please contact Adam Hastie, General Manager (.uk) if you have any queries during the application process. What its like to work here Petworth House has been a family home for over 900 years. During that time, it has been transformed from a medieval manor to the grand Baroque palace that you see today. Over the centuries, the historic families have amassed a substantial collection of fineand decorative art. Having been transferred to the National Trust in 1947, today Petworth continues to exhibit the most significant art collection in our care:Click here for more information about this location What youll be doing Petworth is at the start of an improvement journey and the Property Curator will play a key role in that change.Working within the Property Leadership Team, reporting to the General Manager, with professional support from internal specialists, you will:

• Lead the team responsible for developing and improvingcollections care and management. The team comprises of Collections and House Manager*, Senior Collections & House Officer, Collections & House Officer, and four CollectionsAssistants. You will be responsible for annual operational and conservation budgets and for project budgets as they arise.
• Deepen audience engagement with our collections and interiors. You will work in collaboration with visitor experience colleagues and other partners, support the development and delivery of our year-round programme in addition to enhancingour core visitor offer.
• Champion the historic significance and understanding of the whole property and support colleagues across on the property on specific curatorial matters.
• Diversify the appeal of our houses and collections and enhance public benefit through high quality and innovative research and interpretation. Making sure stories are deeply explored and shared, and working with partners and communities to do so, you will help grow its relevance and enhance visitor experience.
• Be involved in developing and delivering the long-term vision for the house, garden and park as well as the annual Property Business Plans which identify the investment, resources and income needed. Help grow support for the property andits conservation work, including hosting donor visits and fundraising events. You will work predominantly on site and also provide operational support as Duty Manager, including up to one weekend day per month.

(* This is a new role at the property structure to enable the transformation of the property, by adding capacity and capability to our house operation and collections care and management work. The Property Curator will be responsible for appointing thisrole once settled in post.) Who were looking for The knowledge, skills and experience required by the post-holder includes:

• Ability to take and develop a holistic and creative approach to revealing the meaning of collections and places for internal and external audiences, relating artifacts to a wider historical and contemporary understanding.
• Experience of building strong and lasting relationships and working collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders, in order to deliver curatorial outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills, both formal and informal. Brings enthusiasm, knowledge and inspiration as well as practical, pragmatic and sensible approach to problem solving.
• Good coaching, mentoring and facilitation skills.
• Relevant formal academic / professional /vocational qualifications (or equivalent experience) in Art History, Conservation, Museum Studies and related fields, AMA or equivalent professional accreditation (or working towards).
• Knowledgeable about collections management and care and the ability to take an informed holistic approach to conservation management.
• Experience working in conservation, art history, history, architectural history (or related fields) and working with historic collections.
• Good knowledge of current best practice in relation to the care of collections and buildings, including Museum Accreditation standards,
• Experience in undertaking academic research, and good evidence of writing for public audiences.
• Experience of leading projects, including brokering, commissioning and managing external consultancy, creative, artistic, and design and build services.

The package The National Trust has the motto For everyone, for ever at its heart. Were working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. Its important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audienceswe serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say were for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Flexible working whenever possible
• Free parking at most locations
• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out moreabout the benefits we offer to support you.