Deputy Curator and Operations Manager

Royal College of Music; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Music is seeking an outstanding Deputy Curator to shape the future of the RCM Museum. You will oversee day‑to‑day museum operations, manage a multidisciplinary team and lead initiatives across public engagement, collections care, and digital access to broaden audience reach.

You will contribute to strategic planning, accreditation and budgeting, and drive fundraising and reporting to support the Museum Forward Plan. A passion for musical heritage is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant management experience within a museum or cultural organisation.
• Strong knowledge of collections care and accreditation standards.
• Experience in strategic planning and funding applications.
• A passion for musical heritage and audience development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of the Museum and lead a multidisciplinary team.
• Develop public engagement, collections management, digital access and audience growth initiatives.
• Drive strategic planning, accreditation, reporting, budgeting and funding applications.
• Deliver the Museum Forward Plan and monitor progress against targets.

Skills

Museum management

Team leadership

Budget management

Public engagement

Accreditation standards

Job description

Search for courses, news, profiles, events

Interview date: Stage 1: Friday 20 November 2026 (online), Stage 2: Wednesday 25 - Friday 27 November (in person)

Salary: Grade 9, £57,588 - £65,969 per annum. Appointments will normally be made to the first point of the grade.

Hours: Full-time

Term: Permanent

Available: from December 2026

Founded in 1882, The Royal College of Music (RCM) is a world leading music conservatoire with a prestigious history and contemporary outlook. Our excellence was recognised by the 2026 QS World University Rankings, in which we were ranked as the No. 1 institution in the UK and Europe, and second globally, for both Music and Performing Arts. The College has held global first and second positions in Performing Arts for five successive years, while Music is a new subject introduced to the rankings in 2024.

The Royal College of Music is seeking an outstanding Deputy Curator to help shape the future of the RCM Museum and its internationally significant collections.

Working closely with the Curator, you will oversee the day-to-day operation of the Museum, manage a multidisciplinary team, and lead the development of public engagement, collections management, digital access and audience growth initiatives. You will play a key role in strategic planning, accreditation, reporting, budgeting, funding applications and the delivery of the Museum Forward Plan.

You will bring significant management experience within a museum or comparable cultural organisation, strong knowledge of collections care and accreditation standards, and a proven track record of delivering projects and managing budgets. A passion for music and musical heritage is essential.

This is a rare opportunity to join a world-renowned conservatoire, helping to preserve, develop and promote one of Europe's most important collections of musical heritage while expanding access for diverse audiences both onsite and online.

The Royal College of Music is an Equal Opportunities Employer.