In your application, please address as many of the requirements of part one of the person specification as you are able to. These, along with those of part two, will be assessed in those taken forward to the latter stages of the recruitment process.
PART ONE
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of leading multidisciplinary teams within a cultural heritage organisation at a senior level, reporting to Board/Trustees, and a thorough appreciation of senior leadership dynamics (functional leadership, influence, reporting, delivery focus, performance driven, budget management etc), and the ability to act as an ambassador for the wider organisation.
- An understanding and appreciation of IWM’s collections, their range and potential, and of the legal obligations and sensitivities associated with their management, research and display.
- Educated to degree standard or with demonstrable significant experience of delivery at a senior level within a cultural organisation.
- A good understanding of collection management, research, and curatorial practice, including current museology debates and strategies for broadening engagement. A good understanding of IWM’s approach to displaying, interpreting and providing access to its collections.
- Demonstrable experience of supporting the development and delivery of permanent displays and/or temporary exhibitions based on new research, which appeals to a range of audiences, grows engagement and/or challenges perceptions.
- Demonstrable ability to develop strategic approaches to collection-focussed programming aligned to a theme, anniversary, audience or subject.
- Experience of internal and external stakeholder management, including funders and supporters, to support the strategic work of an organisation’s broader teams and functions.
PART TWO
Key competencies
Communication Skills
- Active listening skills that make individuals feel they have contributed and been heard.
- Communicate a positive and genuine interest in their role, the role of their team and the museum’s work, in their interactions with
- A “no silo” mentality is an essential pre-requisite. Team orientated executive level individual who focuses on the combined outputs and outcomes, works collaboratively with other execs and senior leaders, and encourages innovation, to create robust strategies and deliver value.
- Probing and questioning skills that elicit accurate and relevant information.
- The ability to provide constructive criticism and critical support.
Professional Presence
- Sensitive and empathetic communication style, with the ability to handle situations calmly and appropriately.
- Able to expresses themselves clearly – verbally and in writing, including tone of voice.
- Confident in dealing with a wide variety of people, always showing
- Precise and tactful, with an open and assertive communication style – not afraid to express differences in opinion, especially when dealing with difficult issues.
Personal Effectiveness
- Thorough and conscientious in their execution of
- Communicates with and involves all relevant stakeholders when constructing their work plans, keeping them informed throughout.
- Focuses activities in line with key deliverables.
- Methodical and systematic in approach, demonstrating a tenacity and persistence to achieve results.
- Thinks laterally and creatively to overcome obstacles, finding alternative ways forward.
- Good application of judgement and initiative to deal with queries and problems.
Leadership/Management Skills
- A developer of people, seeking and creating opportunities to grow and diversify talent, dismantle barriers to access, and allow teams and individuals to thrive.
Learns/Adapts
- Proactively provides relevant information to other individuals and departments, improving shared learning and strengthening relationships across IWM.
- Demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset.
- Responds positively to new opportunities and adapts to changing requirements.
Digital Awareness Learns and adapts
- Integrate digital into all relevant thinking and planning at an early stage.
- Stays abreast of emerging digital trends and developments, and seeks to exploit opportunities.
Commercial Acumen
- Alert to commercial opportunities, including expanding existing and identifying new avenues of support.
- Retains a strong market awareness, including working to support Development and Commercial teams.
- Networks proactively to influence key players and position commercial propositions for maximum impact
Promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Leads by example in encouraging practices and initiatives that promote and deliver greater equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Recognises and values the benefits of diversity of thought and experience amongst staff, volunteers and audiences, demonstrating respect and empathy for ‘the different differences that difference makes’
Financial Awareness
- Develops a sound understanding of IWM’s financial rules and procedures and adheres to
- Alert to opportunities to reduce expenditure, maximise resource and enhance
- Manages budgets actively and effectively.
- Highly numerate, possessing an overall high standard of financial understanding
Teamwork
- Encourages all team members to work collaboratively within their team and across the organisation.
- Actively contributes to creating a mutually supportive environment by helping others, seeing different perspectives, assuming positive intent, and finding common ground.
- Initiates contact with other departments, actively building informal networks and developing relationships built on trust.
- Communicates fluently and concisely in teams, remaining constructive, patient and empathetic with colleagues.
- Excellent collaboration skills with external agencies as well as internal departments, providing high-quality and timely information for colleagues and customers timely information for colleagues and customers.
This job description is not all encompassing. Over time the emphasis of the job may change without changing the general character of the job. Your duties may be reviewed from time to time and revised and updated in consultation with you to reflect appropriate changes.
