Job Description

How to Apply

Interested applicants should forward their Curriculum Vitae (CV) or an Application Form to the People Services Department (Applications) by email via workforus@nts.org.uk by Friday 16th January 2026.

Please ensure your CV includes your full name and contact details, the CV file sent to us should be titled your first initial and surname. When submitting your CV please state the position and job location of the vacancy you are applying for in the subject title or body of your email: For example, "Head of Collections - NTS"

Job Purpose

The Head of Collections provides strategic leadership and policy oversight across the management, care and conservation of collections and interiors, as well as the technical solutions that support delivery of this work across the Trust. The scope of interest within the Collections Team includes historic interiors, objects, books, photographs, digital collections and archives. This national role supports, advises and at times directs colleagues in regional and local teams to maintain standards and further the strategic priorities of the trust and leads on the promotion of the importance of management and conservation of collections for preservation and access in support of the Trust's charitable purpose.

Internally, the role is responsible for establishing and managing systems and standards (both IT systems, and manual processes) that are responsive to the operational needs of the Trust and lead to efficiencies and improvements in Collections Development, Collections Care and Conservation, Collections Information Management, and Access to collections information. Externally, the post-holder will have lead responsibility and maintain relationships with key sector bodies in cultural collections management, such as Museums Galleries Scotland, ICON, Collections Trust, CILIP and the ARA, as well as managing relationships with research partners in museums, archives, and universities on collaborative collections management and conservation research projects. They will pursue opportunities to promote the Trust's work, as well as constant horizon scanning to ensure NTS can anticipate and respond to national and international trends in collections management and conservation.

Provides leadership in collections management, collections care and conservation; ensuring that NTS heritage collections are managed in line with national and internationally recognised standards and legislation

Develops policies, strategic plans, and projects for the consistent documentation and cataloguing of all collections.

Develops policies, strategic plans, and projects for the delivery of collections care and conservation in line with NTS strategic priorities, determined, when possible, through interpretation of data

Leads on an NTS-wide strategic approach to collections review and rationalisation, the reduction of long-term loans, and the long-term management of stored collections

Oversees the development of integrated information management systems across the collections, optimising use of existing database systems (Axiell Collections, Portfolio Extensis, Preservica) and the CIIM middleware, and working closely with suppliers and the IT Services

Leads on the development of digitisation strategy, digital preservation of digital archives and photographic collections, and the implementation of good practice in IPR management within the NTS collections systems and processes

Ensures highest standards of courtesy and stakeholder management from the Collections Team when responding to and working with lenders, donors, funders and donor families

Provides expert technical advice and support to colleagues in operational teams and supports development of relevant internal networks in archive, library and collections management and collections care and conservation practice

Oversees the development of policies and processes to improve the safety and security of collections, including; monitoring and responding to trends in loss and damage to collections, advising regional teams on how to access specialist collections security advice, working with the People Team to embed mandatory collections security training into annual programmes, and ensuring availability of training and support for collections audit, emergency planning and collections salvage

Maintains systems for the valuation of collections for insurance purposes, and the regular and efficient reporting required by the insurers and lenders including during major incidents and emergencies involving collections

Leads on the acquisition and disposal process for collections and objects to support decision making by ExCo and the Board as necessary.

Works collaboratively with colleagues in Audiences and Support and Public Engagement and Research Directorate, to develop projects that will expand public engagement with and understanding of the Trust's collections and their importance through the development of online access via the Trust's website, and through other means, such as exhibitions and learning and research programmes

Proactively seeks opportunities to promote NTS externally by promoting examples of internal best practice and act as the lead advocate internally for integrated collections management, collections care and conservation, and digital preservation

Ensures regional property staff can access professional collections care and management support for all collections, including archives and historic libraries, at the earliest stage in project planning. They should expect to receive integrated support for acquisitions, exhibition planning, long loans, review and rationalisation, auditing and location control, collection decants, pest management and house-keeping regimes, remedial conservation and training for property staff.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 64,953.00-72,168.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 16/01/2026