Job Description

The Auckland Project:

At the heart of our sites is St Peter's Chapel, in Auckland Castle: the home of the Prince Bishops, and the historic seat of faith and power in the North of England. The experience across our sites is deeply linked to those two themes of faith and power - they are repeated throughout the Castle and Faith Museum, the Mining Art Gallery and the Spanish Gallery. The collection of our venues, spaces and places invite conversations about belonging, faith, loss, sacrifice, community, love and creativity. We would like our guests to explore: to discover things about our town, our country and their own lives. We want to create memorable and transformative encounters - and need your help to do so.

The role purpose:

A key role within a small and busy Collections and Conservation team, this is a collections management position with an emphasis on documentation, responsible for ensuring the museum's inventories are up-to-date and to SPECTRUM standard.

The post will suit an experienced professional who enjoys working in a stimulating, fast paced and collaborative environment and is able to provide a core underpinning function to the Collections and Conservation and Curatorial teams, bringing order to collections records across operational sites and temporary exhibitions.

You will be an active member of install and salvage teams, managing and co-ordinating technicians and external contractors as required.

Working across galleries and historic sites, this post will play an important role in lender communication, ensuring timely exchange of requests for information, reporting on existing and expiring loans and ensuring details are available for insurance, GIS and loan agreements.

The post also takes a lead in processing images and image requests, co-ordinating associated information including captions and credit lines. You will support colleagues in the Marketing and Communications Team, external researchers and other enquirers with image requests and ensure that the Digital Asset Management System is up-to-date with collections and exhibition photography.

Please note:-

This post is primarily based on site and is not suitable for regular remote working

This post involves manual handling (lifting, carrying, using a trolley), use of ladders and computer work

Key responsibilities are listed below

Leads the initiative to update the Collections Management System (Collections Index +) with emphasis on SPECTRUM primary procedures and liaises with System Simulation to troubleshoot issues

Keeps track of museum objects and maintains records of ownership and borrowing

Produces and maintains accurate records for use of collections procedures, acquisitions, object entry and exit, copyright, valuations and insurance, location and movement control and exhibitions, including updating salvage cards

Follows documentation procedures, plans and policy and leads on updating the Documentation Procedural Manual

Supports colleagues using the CMS and provides training as required

Helps devise collections based projects for interns, placements and volunteers and supervises those positions as they become available

Plays a key role in lender communication for new and existing loans

Co-ordinates couriers and transports and supervises freelance technicians as required

Works with colleagues to help develop new policies and procedures where needed, supporting our accredited status through Arts Council England

Manages requests for reproductions of images

Assists marketing and other colleagues with collections and gallery image requests and ensures any lender requirements are met and appropriate credit lines provided

Processes and supervises collections and exhibition photography and updates the Digital Management System

Internal and External Relationships:

Work collaboratively with colleagues across departments to achieve The Auckland Project's organisational objectives

Liaise with System Simulation to ensure a fully functioning CMS and DAMS

Manage and co-ordinate external contractors (e.g. photographers and art handlers)

Build strong relationships with peers in the heritage sector, especially lenders and prospective lenders

Maintain excellent relationships with the large team of volunteers and colleagues

Health & Safety:

Be committed to good health and safety and access practice, ensuring familiarity and compliance with The Auckland Project policies, procedures and guidelines and the health and safety of visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors at all times.

Person Specification:

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

MA in Museum Studies (or equivalent)

Experience

At least two years' experience in a similar role

Ability to work as part of a team

Experience of using a collections management system

Knowledge of museum documentation standards including SPECTRUM

Administration of loans in

Experience managing digital assets

Three to five years' experience in a similar role

Administration of loans out

Experience of managing volunteers

Experience of managing loans for temporary exhibition

Managing contractors and technicians

Knowledge of collections care standards for museums

Experience working with book and/or archive collections

Understanding of copyright and how it relates to museum collections

Experience booking and managing transport agents

Experience of working with a broad range of collections

An understanding of H&S and how it relates to a Heritage Collection

Skills

Demonstrably strong administrative and IT skills

Ability to organise and pay attention to detail with strong accuracy

IT Skills: Intermediate computer skills in software packages including the Microsoft 365, especially Excel

Strong written communication

Physically capable of undertaking the role which will involve hands-on work

Basic object handling skills

Personal Attributes

Be professional and hard working with an enthusiastic approach

Well organised

Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professional integrity at all times

A positive team player

Willingness to work flexibly and pragmatically as part of a busy team and organisation

The Auckland Project focus

The Auckland Project works hard to create a positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have created a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle (once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham), a Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and Weardale Railway.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: 24,420.00 per year

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Sick pay
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 03/08/2025
Reference ID: Docmgr