Collections Manager

The Mercers' Company; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

The Mercers' Company, a historic City of London livery company, seeks a Collections Manager for its Heritage Team. You will manage acquisitions, cataloguing, care and interpretation of the collection, and oversee exhibitions and audience engagement in Mercers' Hall.

You will coordinate loans and research projects, working with colleagues to develop innovative displays and educational experiences for Members and visitors.

Qualifications

• Experience with varied heritage collections and exhibitions.
• Ability to manage research projects to deadlines and budgets.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee acquisitions, accessioning, cataloguing, care and interpretation of the collection.
• Plan and deliver temporary exhibitions and displays within Mercers' Hall education spaces.
• Coordinate display of heritage objects and artworks, ensuring conservation and environmental needs.
• Manage loans from external lenders; maintain records, audits and insurance correspondence.
• Develop scoping, consultations and audience-engagement initiatives.

Skills

Collection management

Exhibitions planning

Research project management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Museum studies / collections management degree

Job description

Job Type:

Permanent - Full-Time (32.5 hours per week)

Location:

City of London, office-based

Anticipated start date:

January 2027

About the Mercers' Company

The Mercers' Company is a Livery Company of the City of London. With a rich history dating back over 700 years, it is focused on being a philanthropic force for good and philanthropy is at the core of its past, present and future. Our Heritage Team cares for archival records, object collections and artworks, using this heritage to inform, educate and inspire Members, staff and visitors.

The Role

We are looking for a Collections Manager to join our small Heritage Team and support the delivery of the Company's Heritage Strategy.

The post holder will be responsible for the acquisition, accessioning, cataloguing, care, display and interpretation of the Company's heritage collections, ensuring that objects are used to inform, educate and inspire members, staff and other stakeholders. This will include undertaking research, scoping and consultation activities, as well as developing and implementing new areas of work and audience engagement initiatives.

The post holder will oversee all aspects of curatorial practice, with particular responsibility for planning and delivering temporary exhibitions and displays within the Company's new education and engagement spaces. These will be developed in creative, innovative and accessible ways to engage both Company Members and visitors to Mercers' Hall.

The role will also oversee the selection and display of heritage objects and artworks as part of the general furnishing and decoration of Mercers' Hall, ensuring that presentation, conservation requirements and environmental conditions are appropriately considered.

In addition, the post holder will manage loans from external institutions and private lenders, maintaining accurate records, conducting audits, updating insurers and ensuring that all required documentation, environmental monitoring data and reporting are provided in a timely manner and in accordance with loan agreements.

The Ideal Candidate

You will have experience of working with varied collections and a strong track record in delivering exhibitions, displays and engaging heritage interpretation. You will bring excellent interpersonal skills and experience of managing research projects to agreed deadlines and budgets, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

You will have a degree or postgraduate qualification in museum studies or collections management, or equivalent qualifications or experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to bring the Company's rich heritage to life and help shape exhibitions and displays for others to experience.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating a diverse environment.