Senior Curator Curator Prestigious Museum Landmark in Abu Dhabi

BLR World; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Curator to lead the strategic vision and implementation of exhibitions and collections. This role will involve developing research activities, managing budgets, and enhancing the museum's reputation through innovative collaborations. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in curatorial practices and public engagement, ensuring the museum remains a leader in the art community. Join this dynamic team to shape the future of cultural exhibitions and make a significant impact on the museum's offerings.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of post-graduate experience in curatorial roles.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop proposals for exhibitions and collections from the 5th to early 16th century.
• Manage the unit's budget and administrative actions.

Skills

Curatorial Expertise

Research Skills

Public Engagement

Budget Management

Collaboration

Education

PhD in History of Art

PhD in Museology

PhD in Museum Studies

Job description

The Senior Curator is responsible for the strategy, narrative, and collections proposal and implementation of the department. The role holder will manage strategic goals, develop research activities and content that enhance the museum's reputation, and develop collaborative partnerships with national and international museum committees. The role holder will conceptualize new exhibitions related to the department and work across the team to enhance offerings.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Develop medium and long-term proposals for strategies defined by the Director on exhibitions and displays, propose potential acquisitions, and research opportunities relating to the 5th to early 16th century collections.
2. Manage and develop the unit's budget, along with the administrative, legal, and financial actions for the department.
3. Review, advise, and refine the department's project proposals and feasibility reports, supporting in providing timeframes, funding parameters, and resource allocation.
4. Review the department's progress, analyze reports on visitor activity trends, and provide advice and recommendations for further actions to the department Director.
5. Support the department's activities in complex, blocked, and unforeseen circumstances impacting daily activities, projects, or potential implementation.
6. Evaluate and ensure the department's current research, implementation, and maintenance procedures align with internationally recognized standards.
7. Support initiatives across other departments within the Museum, including collections development, acquisition strategy, and content planning for mediation and education policies.
8. Serve as a subject matter expert in one of the fields related to the 5th to 16th centuries, continuously self-learning to enhance departmental knowledge, understanding, and techniques regarding current collections and research of artifacts of future interest.
9. Enhance the museum's international reputation through active personal research, publications, conference contributions, and exploring opportunities for loans and development related to the department's collections.
10. Ensure knowledge transfer to team members and provide appropriate on-the-job training opportunities.
11. Create and develop content in line with the mediation and education policy related to the department.
12. Ensure operational excellence in achieving KPIs, work towards establishing a sustainable financial model by meeting financial targets, and drive process improvements and efficiencies.
13. As a brand ambassador, consider customer perspectives in all projects, understanding and managing stakeholder relationships.
14. As a leader, create learning opportunities through collaboration, knowledge transfer, and employee development to promote engagement and growth across the Museum.

Collaborations Across the Museum

• Include but not limited to: local and international art and museum communities, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, grant agencies, contractors, consultants, and clients.

Requirements

• Normal administrative hours required, with occasional work on weekends and evenings as directed by the business.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of post-graduate experience.
• Experience as a Curator and Head of Section in a museum.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.
• Experience teaching at the university level.
• Experience in public engagement, including lectures and presentations at the international level.

Educational Qualifications

• PhD in History of Art, Museology, or Museum Studies.
• 5-12 published articles in international reviews.