Assistant Curator

Kirklees Council; Cross; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking an Assistant Curator to support a collections relocation project. The role requires hands-on work with museum objects, ensuring accurate documentation, and contributing to collections care. Ideal for motivated individuals with relevant experience. Position is temporary, located at Tolson Museum, with a salary range of £26,403 - £28,142. Closing date for applications is 08 December 2025.

Qualifications

• Motivated early-career museum professional.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Understanding of museum documentation procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support a major collections relocation project.
• Work hands-on with over 200,000 objects.
• Ensure accurate documentation to Spectrum standards.

Skills

Experience working with museum collections and documentation systems

Knowledge of collections care and handling procedures

Ability to work methodically and collaboratively in a busy team

Commitment to inclusive practice and widening access to heritage

Willingness to support occasional evening/weekend activities

Job description

We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.

Organisation

Kirklees

Directorate

Public Health and Corporate Resources

Service Area

Culture & Visitor Economy

Hours

37

Number of Jobs

1

Location(s)

Tolson Museum, with some cross-site working

Position type

Temporary

Length of contract

31.3.2029

Grade

Grade 6

Salary

£26,403 - £28,142

The Role

Are you a motivated early-career museum professional looking for valuable hands‑on experience? If so, this opportunity to support a major collections relocation project could be ideal. Kirklees Museums & Galleries (KMAG) is seeking an Assistant Curator to join the Curatorial and Technical (CAT) team in delivering a key phase of the project. Led by a Senior Curator, you will work hands‑on with a wide‑ranging collection of over 200,000 objects, supporting inventory backlogs, packing and handling objects safely, and be responsible for accurate documentation to Spectrum standards. Your work will directly contribute to the future accessibility and interpretation of collections in the new museum and gallery.

This is a practical, detail‑oriented role requiring excellent organisational skills, a solid understanding of museum documentation procedures, and a commitment to collections care. You will also support wider strategic developments including co‑production frameworks, contemporary collecting, and digital access initiatives.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience working with museum collections and documentation systems
• Knowledge of collections care and handling procedures
• Ability to work methodically and collaboratively in a busy team
• Commitment to inclusive practice and widening access to heritage
• Willingness to support occasional evening/weekend activities

This is a great opportunity to join us in shaping the future of heritage in Kirklees and help lay the foundations for a new cultural destination at the heart of Huddersfield.

Please note that the role will involve practical, hands‑on work in physically demanding environments, including working in collection stores and historic buildings where a certain level of physical mobility will be essential to meet the core requirements of the role.

The role is based in Kirklees Museums and Galleries, who are proud to have been awarded Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status for 2023‑26, one of eight NPOs in Kirklees. As an NPO, our funding is thanks to taxpayers, and it plays a huge part in supporting our work.

Cat Lumb is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.

We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. If you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description, please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email or phone: [phone] and ask for ‘Recruitment’.

If you are internal and want to apply for this job as a secondment you must be a substantive employee of the Council with over 6 months continuous service and have successfully completed your probation period. Applications for secondments will only be accepted if approved by your manager, you will be asked to confirm on your application form that you have the relevant permission. If you are refused permission to apply for a secondment, please contact HR Recruitment to register the refusal.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Closing date

08 December 2025, 11:55 PM

Important Information

Job Profile/description

Additional document 1