Collections Assistant Salary: Reporting to: Department: 18,000-20,000 per annum (6 Month Contract) Director of Programme Exhibitions V&A Dundee Opening in September 2018, V&A Dundee will be the only V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London. It will be the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland: an international centre for design, a place of inspiration, discovery and learning. V&A Dundee will present the largely untold story of Scotland s outstanding design achievements, bringing together in one place the world-renowned V&A collections with loans from other collections in Scotland and beyond to allow everyone to understand and be inspired by this important design heritage. These collections will be accompanied by international touring exhibitions from the V&A, making Dundee the only location in the UK outside London to receive these globally significant exhibitions. In addition, V&A Dundee will also originate its own exhibitions. The 80.11m project to create the museum is at the heart of Dundee's ambitious 1bn waterfront regeneration supporting the creation of more jobs and wider economic benefits. It will generate civic pride and transform the city region as a tourism destination. V&A Dundee will be the first building in the UK designed by Kengo Kuma, the internationally renowned architect who is also designing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium. His vision is for the museum to be a new 'living room for the city', welcoming everyone to visit, enjoy and socialise, and to reconnect the city with its historic River Tay waterfront. V&A Dundee is being delivered by Design Dundee Ltd (DDL), established through the partnership of the V&A, the University of Dundee, Abertay University, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council. It is the flagship of Dundee's waterfront development, symbolising the city's new confidence and regeneration.
Role Profile The Collections Assistant will provide support to the Exhibitions team in all aspects of documentation and interactions with the Collections Management System (CMS). Initially the collections assistant will be key to populating the system to centralise all the information for V&A Dundee s loan objects into one database from a wealth of existing information. Updating object and loan records through data entry and following workflows, and ensuring information is accurate and maintained to the highest standard as objects are installed in the museum, will be key tasks. It would be essential for the candidate to have experience of databases, ideally a CMS system, and worked with objects or collections in a museum or gallery and have knowledge of SPECTRUM workflows and terminology involved. The successful candidate will be required on-site throughout installations and deinstallations of galleries whilst managing object moves on the CMS daily. Exhibitions Department The Exhibitions Department realises the ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions and commissions across the Museum showcasing major exhibitions of outstanding international design. The temporary exhibitions programme will stage two major exhibitions per year including exhibitions from V&A South Kensington and those curated by V&A Dundee. The programme is devised by the Director of Programme in discussion with colleagues in the Exhibition, Learning, Audiences and Development departments. Exhibitions are accompanied by publications and a dedicated public programme. The Department consists of two curators, two assistant curators and a gallery manager.
Duties and Responsibilities Populate the CMS system by entering object, lender and loan information from existing data sources by following SPECTRUM workflows. Checking existing data to ensure consistency and accuracy across multiple sources. Supporting the exhibitions team with the creation, filing and maintenance of all documentation required for key activities. Administration of documentation around the following areas: Object entry, object exit, loan agreements, condition reports, display & security requirement Accurately maintaining and updating data to reflect changes in the physical locations, such as object movements. Assist with the creation of reports produced from the CMS system. Additional To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with dignity and respect, and actively contributing to developments that support the museum s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity. Deal with any other duties as deemed necessary by the Director of Programme.
Person Specification The post requires an organised individual who data focused, able to work in a logical manner and with a meticulous attention to detail. Essential Experience in collections documentation Experience of working with museum procedures and workflows Experience using collections database software Excellent Microsoft Word and Excel knowledge Experience of building reports High level of attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy Ability to work on own initiative to set deadlines Excellent time management and organisational skills A good team player with flexible, can-do attitude to problem solving Excellent written and oral communication skills Willingness to develop new skills and undertake training as required Desirable Experience of working to Spectrum standards Experience of CollectionsIndex+ Postgraduate degree in museum studies or similar subject
How to apply Applicants are asked to submit the following: A covering letter, of no more than 500 words, outlining your suitability for the role and how you meet the essential criteria. A CV covering your relevant experience and current salary, of no more than two A4 sides. Please send these to: Sophie McKinley Director of Programme V&A Dundee Enterprise House 3 Greenmarket Dundee DD1 4QB Or email: Deadline for applications: no later than 5pm, Friday 11 May 2018. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 16 May 2018 in Dundee. V&A Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.