Assistant Collection Manager: Storage and Moves (Rehouse)

The British Museum; Reading; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free exhibition entry

Civil Service Pension Scheme

25 days’ annual leave

Learning and development

Job summary

The British Museum seeks an Assistant Collection Manager: Storage and Moves (Rehouse) for a major storage project at BM_ARC, Reading. This is a full-time, on-site role focusing on large three-dimensional objects, requiring careful handling and precise documentation.

You will receive objects, check conditions, record measurements, and rehousing onto pallet racking, balancing project deadlines with care for the collections, while collaborating with conservation and curatorial teams.

Qualifications

• Experience with museum storage or gallery environments preferred.
• Ability to perform practical, hands-on collections work including some heavy lifting.
• A methodical approach with strong documentation and measurement skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive objects from deliveries, check condition and record measurements.
• Move and rehousing objects onto large-scale pallet racking with care.
• Support packing, condition checks and photography as required, ensuring accuracy.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Record keeping

IT skills

Physical stamina

Tools

Pallet trucks

Hand tools

Collections databases

Job description

Assistant Collection Manager: Storage and Moves (Rehouse)

Full-time

On-site in BM_ARC, Reading

Fixed term (until 31 January 2028)

£31,675 per annum

About the role

Are you practical, detail-focused and interested in working hands-on with museum collections?

We’re looking for an Assistant Collection Manager: Storage and Moves (Rehouse) to support a major collections storage move, working primarily with large three-dimensional stone objects. This is a practical, technical role where careful object handling, problem solving and a flexible approach are essential.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys the practical side of collections work and wants to contribute to a major museum storage project. You’ll work closely with colleagues across collections management, conservation and curatorial teams while developing valuable experience in large-object handling, storage, collections documentation and collections care.

If you’re methodical, hands‑on and take pride in getting the details right, we’d love to hear from you.

About you

• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Good manual dexterity and an appreciation of different materials and objects
• Willing and able to undertake practical collections work- this can be a physically demanding role involving some manual handling and heavy lifting
• A keen eye for detail, particularly when measuring, checking and documenting objects
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records
• The initiative and self‑motivation to undertake tasks independently, including work that can sometimes be repetitive
• Good time management and the ability to maintain accuracy while working to project deadlines
• A flexible, practical approach to problem solving
• Experience of museum or gallery collections, warehouse environment and pallet movement, object or art handling, large object moves or a comparable practical environment would be advantageous

Previous experience with hand tools, workshop equipment, pallet trucks, collections databases, object photography, heavy lifting or slinging would be beneficial, but the successful candidate will be supported to undertake any necessary training in these areas to develop the required skills.

Key areas of responsibility

A key part of your work will be receiving objects from deliveries, condition checking and recording accurate object measurements following deliveries, updating documentation, and moving and rehousing objects safely onto large-scale pallet racking.

You’ll use your judgement and problem‑solving skills to help ensure objects are stored safely and appropriately, balancing the demands of a busy project schedule with the care, accuracy and attention to detail that museum collections require. The role will also involve packing, condition checking and photography where required.

The Masterplan

The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:

• Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme defined benefit with 28.97% employer contribution.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
• Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
• Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
• Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
• Interest‑free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to [e-mail].

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre‑employment screening of Civil Servants.