Assistant Registrar

www.nationalmuseums.org.uk - Jobboard; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A world-leading museum group is seeking an Assistant Registrar to coordinate loans and exhibitions, manage acquisitions, and contribute to expanding public access to collections. This role offers the chance to work with large complex objects and engage with a dynamic team, providing significant opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Health & Dental Insurance

Enhanced contributory pension

Interest-free loans

Great discounts at exhibitions and shops

Qualifications

• Experience in a museum or cultural/heritage environment preferred.
• Proficiency in a Collections Management System essential.
• Effective problem-solver with good communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage loans and acquisitions processes.
• Ensure compliance with registration procedures.
• Support curatorial colleagues on collections management.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Tools

Collections Management System

Job description

Do you have experience coordinating loans, exhibitions, or acquisitions? Would you like to manage the long loan out programme of rail vehicles at the National Railway Museum?



About us

The Science Museum Group's Registration department is a thriving and dynamic team. We are seeking to recruit a new Assistant Registrar to focus on our loans and acquisitions programme. In addition, you will be playing a pivotal part in delivering the National Railway Museum's masterplan programme, which includes continuing to manage the long loan out programme of rail vehicles. This will provide a unique opportunity to engage with widening public access to collections.



You will have the opportunity to expand and develop your skills and knowledge in Registration. Working with large complex objects, developing object hazard awareness and working with both static and operational objects.



This is a fixed term contract until December 2026, working 35 hours per week. You will be based at the National Railway Museum in York, with a hybrid home working arrangement of at least 2-3 days on site per week.



About the role

As an Assistant Registrar you will be given the chance to expand and develop your skills and knowledge in Registration. You will play a pivotal role in delivering the National Railway Museum's masterplan which includes continuing to manage the long loan out programme of rail vehicles.



You will ensure all registration work complies with relevant procedures and best practice regarding documentation, packing, transportation, indemnity, due diligence and hazards management. You will be managing acquisitions from initial proposal through to accessioning and providing support on collections management issues to curatorial colleagues and other relevant internal and external stakeholders.



This will provide a unique opportunity to engage with widening public access to collections and you will be working with large complex objects, developing object hazard awareness and working with both static and operational objects.



About you

We're keen to see applications from candidates with experience from a museum or cultural/heritage environment, ideally with a background coordinating loans, exhibitions, or acquisitions. Proficiency using a Collections Management System is essential, as are effective organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a varied workload to tight deadlines. You'll be an effective problem-solver who maintains a professional approach when faced with challenges, with good written and verbal communication skills and the interpersonal ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.



While experience within a museum setting is desirable, we also recognise that many of the core requirements for this role exist across a range of industries. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant skills gained in other sectors, for example project coordinators in higher education, the NHS, or the charity sector; or records officers and administrators in legal, academic, or government settings.



Above all, we welcome applications from people who share our commitment to museums and cultural heritage, and who are motivated to help us manage and share our collections with the widest possible audience.



Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.



What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

* Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
* Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
* Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave (full time equivalent) in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
* Health & Dental Insurance. Extra peace of mind, from day one.
* All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme, access to the Unmind app, and other wellbeing support.
* Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
* Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
* Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.



Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group&s five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.

National Museum Directors' Council, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.