Collection Document Review Consultant – Dacorum Heritage

Aim Museums; Dacorum; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Dacorum Heritage seeks a freelance Collection Document Review Consultant for 6 months, November 2026 to March 2027, to review historic documentation and MODES records held in the Museum Store in Berkhamsted. The role focuses on clarifying ownership, resolving discrepancies, and producing clear inventories for partner organisations.

You will work with a small museum team to ensure our records are accurate, consistent, and fit for future use, with reports guiding collections management and

Qualifications

• Experience in museum documentation and collections management.
• Experience with historic records.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Review historic paper entry forms and MODES records.
• Clarify ownership and collecting status of objects.
• Investigate discrepancies in documentation.
• Create up-to-date inventories for local history partners.
• Improve accuracy and reliability of collections information.
• Produce reports to support planning.

Skills

Museum documentation

Collections management

Analytical approach

Communication

Tools

MODES

Collections management systems

Job description

Collection Document Review Consultant – Dacorum Heritage

Job Title: Collection Document Review Consultant

Terms: November 2026 to March 2027

Location: Dacorum Heritage’s Museum Store, Clarence Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 3YL

Help safeguard the future of Dacorum’s heritage

Do you have a passion for museum collections, a keen eye for detail and the expertise to bring clarity to complex historic records? Dacorum Heritage is looking for an experienced freelance collections documentation consultant to help strengthen the records behind one of Hertfordshire’s most fascinating local history collections.

About the opportunity

As the Accredited Museum for the borough of Dacorum, we care for more than 132,000 catalogued artefacts spanning approximately 6,000 years of local history, from the Neolithic period to the present day. Our collections tell the stories of the people, places and communities that have shaped the borough.

Our collections are held at our dedicated Museum Store in Berkhamsted and include objects owned by Dacorum Heritage, Dacorum Borough Council and seven local history organisations.

We are undertaking an important review of our historic documentation to clarify ownership, resolve discrepancies and ensure our records are accurate, consistent and fit for the future. With plans for a new venue and wider changes in local government on the horizon, this is a timely opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the stewardship of Dacorum’s heritage.

What will you do?

Working closely with our small, dedicated museum team, you will review historic paper entry forms alongside records held in our MODES collections management system. Your work will help us to:

• Clarify the ownership and collecting status of objects across our collections.
• Investigate discrepancies in historic documentation and identify records requiring further clarification.
• Create up-to-date inventories for our local history organisation partners.
• Improve the accuracy, consistency and reliability of our collections information.
• Produce clear reports to support future collections management and planning.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking someone with experience in museum documentation, collections management and historic records. You will bring a methodical, analytical approach, confidence using collections management systems and the ability to investigate complex records with care.

You will also be a clear communicator, able to manage queries sensitively and work constructively with local history organisations. The role requires initiative, flexibility and the confidence to work independently while collaborating with a small, part-time museum team.

Above all, you will understand the importance of accurate documentation in protecting collections, supporting research and ensuring that local heritage remains accessible and well cared for.

If you have the skills and experience to help us strengthen the foundations of our collections management, we would love to hear from you.