Principal Keeper

Job title: Principal Keeper

Salary: PO3 £41,511- £44,711

Hours: 37

Contract: Permenant

Location: City Museum/Discovery Centre

As our Principal Keeper you will be responsible for the operational management and leadership of Leeds City Museum and Leeds Discovery Centre.

You will lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of challenging site development plans agreed by Leeds Museums and Galleries Senior Management Team in line with the Service Strategic Plan.

Work in partnership with the Head of Collections and Programmes and learning, collections, conservation and operational colleagues across the Service to agree exhibitions and display programmes incorporating the best possible interpretation and ensuring the access needs of visitors and audiences and service-wide priorities are central to all developments.

To work with the Head of Learning, Community Engagement Manager and other colleagues to engage communities and other audiences including families in the development of the site and socially inclusive learning programmes. Work with the Audience Development team to carry out evaluation and surveys and respond to visitor comments and feedback.

To always promote the positive image of the Service, work with teams to advocate the value of the sites to key stakeholders, opinion formers, visitors and to the people of Leeds through lectures, community work, tours, displays, publications, loans, the web and social media including responding to public, professional and academic enquiries. To ensure the sites provide a high-quality and accessible visitor experience in line with Leeds Museums and Galleries service objectives and targets.

You will provide effective management processes and leadership for the continual improvement of site facilities, access to and interpretation of the sites and collections. To ensure the sites are DDA compliant and to co-ordinate a collaborative team approach to exhibitions, events and educational activities and ensure all staff on site are trained for their role.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You

As our Principal Keeper, you will bring to the role:

• Be educated to degree level or professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area or equivalent experience.
• Have knowledge of local government systems and procedures relating to staff management, finance and procurement.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from staff and volunteers to funders, donors and sector professionals.
• The ability to network within the museum and wider cultural sector and act as an effective advocate for Leeds Museums and Galleries in the city, nationally and internationally.
• The ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals to maintain effective working relationships.
• Experience of managing budgets including commercial income targets and generating additional funding through projects and grants.
  
  
  

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
  
  
  

To apply, complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations and Enterprise, email [email protected]

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Profile

Job Purpose: To provide artistic and organisational leadership and operational management for Leeds Art Gallery. The post will lead on the site programmes, day-to-day operations and strategic developments to ensure the site provides an inspirational, challenging yet accessible visitor experience in line with Leeds Museums and Galleries (LMG) service objectives and targets.

Responsibilities for Grade:

• Lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of a challenging site development plan agreed by LMG Senior Management Team in line with the Service Strategic Plan working with colleagues representing learning, collections and programmes (including community engagement), operations, commercial and audience development.
• Provide effective management processes and leadership for the continual improvement of site facilities, access to and interpretation of the site and collections. To ensure the site is DDA compliant. To co-ordinate a collaborative team approach to exhibitions, events and educational activities and ensure that all site staff are well briefed and trained for their role.
• Working with other LMG sites and across LCC, identify and contribute to collaborative projects and act as a test bed for service development.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships and meaningful partnerships with a wide range of institutions, organisations, and individuals to further the Service objectives such as the Henry Moore Institute Central Library, Craft and Design Centre and Victoria Gardens Events Team encouraging joint approaches to projects, exhibitions and visitor management
• Develop partnerships with a wide range of institutions and organisations to further the Service objectives such as Yorkshire Sculpture International and Tate Plus
• Share artistic expertise with other organisations in the city, region and beyond as required
• Develop and maintain the national and international profile of Leeds Art Gallery
• Maintain Leeds Art Gallery position as the city flagship visual arts venue and as a key civic building
• Work in partnership with Head of Collections and Programmes and learning, collections, conservation and operational colleagues across the Service to agree exhibitions and display programmes incorporating the best possible interpretation and ensuring the access needs of visitors and audiences and service-wide priorities are central to all developments.
• Work with the Head of Learning and Access, Community Engagement Manager and other colleagues to engage communities and other audiences including families in the development of the site and socially inclusive learning programmes. Work with the Audience Development team to carry out evaluation and surveys and respond to visitor comments and feedback.
• Undertake research, fieldwork and visits relevant to the site development as a high-quality city centre visitor attraction
• Promote the positive image of the Service at all times, work with Audience Development to advocate the value of the site to key stakeholders, opinion formers, visitors and the people of Leeds through lectures, community work, tours, displays, publications, loans, the web and social media including responding to public, professional and academic enquiries.
• Ensure a high level of customer care across the whole site, tackling issues immediately, monitoring and evaluating impact and implementing learning.
• Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the site including general housekeeping and health and safety. Take immediate action to resolve building or collection issues with the appropriate team and work on the site continual improvement and development.
• Be curatorially responsible for the structure and interior of Leeds Art Gallery.
• Be responsible for the security of the site. Ensure that appropriate security procedures are in place and by acting as data manager for the CCTV system. To act as one of the emergency key holders for the site for out-of-hours emergencies.
• Working closely with the Head of Operations, LCC Property Management and Collections teams to develop, implement and monitor a planned maintenance programme to restore, maintain and develop the fabric of the site.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Business and Enterprise to maximise the commercial potential of the site, seeking opportunities for retail, catering, commercial hire and events within the commercial strategy.
• Manage delegated budgets and seek sponsorship and funding, site-based projects and to oversee the Front of House team, site administration and all contractors on site.
• Recruit, train and develop staff to deliver a high-quality service with a focus on audience need to deliver the Service strategic policy and objectives.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other National Portfolio Organisations and participate in appropriate professional networks to represent the Service.
• Deliver accurate and timely performance management data on all aspects of service delivery at site.
• Promote and apply consistently the principles of Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policies both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities.
• Be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and our customers. Achieve recognised Health & Safety qualification specific to job need. Carry out risk assessment and implement safe systems of work as required.
• Deputise for Head of Operations as required.
• To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grade.
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area (e.g., Art History) or equivalent experience.
  
  
  

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Skills Required

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from staff and volunteers to funders, donors and sector professionals
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues across LMG and beyond to provide leadership to the site team at Leeds Art Gallery.
• Ability to network within the art gallery, museum and wider cultural sector and act as an effective advocate for LMG and LAG in the city, nationally and internationally.
• Ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, maintaining effective working relationships.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
• Ability to operate strategically alongside meeting day-to-day operational requirements.
• Ability to monitor and control resources including the management of budgets and income targets.
• Ability to develop, evaluate and implement changes in services and systems.
  
  
  

Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of the requirements of the Health and Safety and Equalities legislation.
• Clear understanding of audience access issues particularly in relation to museums, galleries and their collections.
• Knowledge of best practice in visitor services in an art gallery, museum or cultural attraction, including accreditation schemes.
  
  
  

Experience Required

• Experience of planning and delivering events or exhibitions with a wide variety of audiences.
• Experience of working with collections and in their engagement with audiences.
• Experience of developing and maintaining partnerships with a wide range of organisations including other museums and galleries, the wider cultural sector, community-based organisations and funders such as Art Council England, Art Fund and the Contemporary Art Society
• Experience of operational management in a major visitor attraction.
• Experience of managing change.
• Experience in managing budgets including commercial income targets and generating additional funding through sponsorship and grants.
• Experience in recruiting, managing and developing staff in a customer focussed environment, including training and delivery in line with operational requirements.
• Experience of preparing and presenting reports and proposals.
• Experience of maintaining direct contact with visitors and audiences through day-to-day involvement with service delivery and promotion.
• Experience of successful project management.
  
  
  

Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in the work of Leeds Museums and Galleries.
• Willingness to act as key holder and CCTV Data Manager.
• Commitment to welcoming all audiences including individuals and communities who are less-well engaged.
• Flexible approach to working hours
  
  
  

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge of local government systems and procedures relating to staff management, finance and procurement.

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