Senior Curator

Defence Collective Singapore Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Defence Collective Singapore seeks a seasoned Curatorial & Collections professional to contribute to curatorial development across its five entities, shaping narratives and exhibitions while stewarding artefacts. You will collaborate with collections and oral history teams to ensure robust, engaging content that aligns with institutional goals.

The role emphasizes research, narrative development, and collaboration with MINDEF/SAF units for access to archival materials, ensuring high standards of

Qualifications

• A good honours or postgraduate degree in Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences (e.g. History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or related disciplines).
• 7–10 years of relevant museum or cultural institution experience, with exposure to curatorial work, exhibition development, or collections management.
• Experience working on exhibitions and collaborating with designers, researchers, and collections teams is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of curatorial frameworks, narratives, and interpretive strategies across DCS’s museums and galleries.
• Conduct research into Singapore’s defence, military, and NS history, identifying key stories, perspectives, and themes.
• Translate research findings into clear, engaging interpretive content for exhibitions and programmes.

Skills

Curatorial research

Exhibition development

Collections management

Content writing

Stakeholder coordination

Public engagement

Education

Honours or postgraduate degree in Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences

Job description

THIS IS A 2-YEAR RENEWABLE CONTRACT

The jobholder will be part of the Curatorial & Collections (C&C) Department at Defence Collective Singapore (DCS), contributing to the research, development, and delivery of curatorial content and exhibitions across DCS’s five entities: Singapore Discovery Centre, Singapore Army Museum, Singapore Air Force Museum, Singapore Navy Museum, and the NS Gallery.

Working within a dynamic and collaborative environment, the jobholder will support the shaping of curatorial narratives, development of exhibitions and programmes, and stewardship of collections that collectively communicate Singapore’s defence story and its significance to nationhood.

The role will involve close collaboration with the Collections and Oral History teams within C&C, as well as internal and external stakeholders, to ensure that content is historically robust, engaging, and aligned with institutional objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Curatorial Development and Narrative Research

• Contribute to the development of curatorial frameworks, narratives, and interpretive strategies across DCS’s museums and galleries.

• Conduct research into Singapore’s defence, military, and NS history, including the identification of key stories, perspectives, and themes.

• Translate research findings into clear, engaging, and accessible interpretive content for exhibitions and programmes.

• Ensure narratives are historically grounded, intellectually rigorous, and resonate with diverse audiences.

Collections and Content Development

• Work closely with the Collections team to identify, assess, and develop artefact holdings in support of exhibitions and institutional priorities.

• Collaborate with the Oral History team to integrate personal accounts and lived experiences into curatorial narratives.

• Assess gaps in collections and support acquisition, documentation, and provenance research efforts.

• Liaise with MINDEF/SAF units and other stakeholders for access to archival materials, artefacts, and permissions.

• Uphold museum standards and best practices in collections management and display.

Exhibition Development and Design Collaboration

• Support the development and delivery of permanent and temporary exhibitions across DCS entities.

• Work with exhibition designers and internal stakeholders to translate curatorial narratives into engaging spatial and multimedia experiences.

• Participate in design reviews, content development, and copywriting to ensure alignment with curatorial intent.

• Contribute to project timelines and coordination to support timely delivery of exhibitions.

Project Management and Stakeholder Coordination

• Support the planning and execution of curatorial projects, ensuring alignment with scope, timelines, and resources.

• Coordinate with internal departments, including marketing, education, and operations, to support exhibition and programme delivery.

• Engage with external stakeholders, including government agencies and partners, to facilitate content development and collaboration.

• Prepare reports, updates, and documentation as required.

Public Engagement and Interpretation

• Contribute to the development of public programmes, educational initiatives, and outreach efforts that complement exhibitions.

• Support engagement with diverse audiences, including students, educators, and the general public.

• Analyse feedback and data to inform ongoing improvements to exhibitions and content.

• Contribute to publications, talks, and other interpretive outputs where required.

Challenges

The role requires balancing curatorial integrity with operational and project considerations across multiple institutions and stakeholders. The jobholder must be adaptable, collaborative, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of scholarship and execution.

Educational Requirements:

A good honours or postgraduate degree in Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences (e.g. History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or related disciplines).

Experience:

At least 7-10 years of relevant experience in a reputable museum or cultural institution, with exposure to curatorial work, exhibition development, or collections management. Experience in working on exhibitions and collaborating with designers, researchers, and collections teams will be advantageous.

Core Competencies and Qualities:

• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills

• Interest in Singapore’s defence, military, and nation-building history

• Good organisational and project management abilities

• Collaborative and able to work effectively across teams and stakeholders

• Detail-oriented, resourceful, and solutions-driven

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal