Join Us as Head of Cultural Collections
Are you a forward-thinking leader with a passion for cultural collections and a vision for transforming them into knowledge and meaningful impact? If so, we invite you to join our team as Head of Cultural Collections at Manchester Metropolitan University, where you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nationally significant collections.
About the Role
As Head of Cultural Collections, you will oversee the development and impact of cherished assets, including the North West Film Archive, Manchester Poetry Library, and our Special Collections. Combining strategic care and management with ambition and creativity, you’ll ensure these collections ignite curiosity, foster discovery, and drive lasting transformation.
In this role, you will:
- Provide visionary leadership that connects teams, collections, and disciplines holistically.
- Champion innovation across teaching, research, and civic engagement.
- Spearhead digital transformation, including digitisation, preservation, access, and discovery initiatives.
- Forge meaningful partnerships with academics, communities, cultural organisations, and funders on local, national, and international levels.
- Inspire and nurture teams, encouraging collaboration and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Contribute to our Senior Leadership Group, driving positive change and making a measurable impact.
About You
We are looking for a dynamic and creative leader who sees new horizons for cultural collections. To succeed in this role, you will need:
- Significant leadership experience in managing cultural collections and driving innovative projects (experience in higher education is advantageous but not essential).
- A proven ability to unlock the potential of collections to enhance education, research, and public engagement.
- A track record of building successful partnerships, with a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire teams and influence at a senior level.
Why Join Us?
Library and Cultural Services at Manchester Met is ambitious, dynamic, and forward-looking. We are driven by a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and creating an outstanding user experience for our diverse community of 43,000 students and 5,000 staff.
Joining our collaborative and inclusive team means becoming part of an exciting journey. With our Library Transformation Programme in progress—including the development of a new library building—you’ll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of our services and redefine the role of cultural collections within them.
How to Get in Touch
If you’re a strategic, creative leader who is excited by the prospect of turning cultural collections into knowledge and impact, we’d love to hear from you.
To explore this opportunity or ask any questions, please contact Rachel Beckett, Director of Library and Cultural Services, at [email protected].
Further Information and Application Process
We offer a hybrid working model for this role, allowing you to balance time on campus with remote work. At Manchester Met, we value flexible working arrangements and welcome conversations on how we can support your needs throughout the application process.
To apply, simply click “Apply” and submit your CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your suitability for the role.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Manchester Metropolitan University, we are proud to foster an inclusive culture where everyone belongs. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTQ individuals, and people with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for applicants during the recruitment process and supporting employees in their roles. Our commitment also includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and tailored professional development opportunities to empower underrepresented groups.
We believe that diversity drives innovation, and we aim to create a workplace where all voices enrich the collective success of our organisation.
Join us as we strive to make a difference through knowledge, inclusivity, and impact