Director of Collections & Engagement

Director of Collections & Engagement

People's History Musuem Closing date: Mon, 23 Nov 2026

Artform: Museums
Role: Curation
Contract: Permanent
North West

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

The Director of Collections & Engagement provides strategic leadership and holds responsibility for the collections and public programme, including the permanent galleries, exhibitions, public events, learning and community engagement activity, and champions care and access for our nationally design

Job Description

Key priorities of the role
Deliver a sector-leading audience experience, by working with teams to programme innovative, inclusive, and impactful exhibitions, public events, and learning and engagement activities that grow audiences, extend reach, build trust, and support our pathway to gallery redevelopment.
Plan strategically to support collections management, care, and conservation, and make our collections more accessible, physically and digitally.
Foster partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders, organisations, and communities that strengthen the museum's reputation and impact.
Support fundraising and income generation, deliver against budgets, and ensure that projects meet funder objectives while furthering PHM's mission.

Job Requirements

Experience of senior leadership in a publicly accessible museum, art gallery, or cultural institution, managing teams across multiple disciplines, including two or more of the following areas: exhibitions, public engagement, public programming, learning, conservation, collections, and archives.
Experience of programming innovative exhibitions, public events, and engagement activities within a museum or equivalent cultural context that support mission, excite audiences, and extend reach.
Experience of working in collaboration with communities, for example through co-curation or co-development.
Experience of setting multi-year strategies and effective KPIs for projects and individuals.
Demonstrable commitment to the professional development of staff through supportive, effective line management.
Experience of successful fundraising for activities in managed areas, identifying and responding to funding opportunities.
For a full list please see our website

Job Responsibilities

Set strategic vision, using PHM's unique collection and stories to build compelling
multi-year programmes of exhibitions, public events, and learning and engagement activities which are exciting, impactful, and accessible to audiences.
Drawing on visitor data, set our audience development strategy and ensure activity delivers on its priorities.
Be a supportive leader and line manager for the Exhibitions, Learning, Public Programme, Collections, Conservation, and Archive Teams. Motivate and develop staff and set effective KPIs and objectives to deliver activity that supports PHM's organisational ambitions.
Foster cross-team collaboration within managed areas and with other teams such as Development, Communications & Marketing, Visitor Experience, and Venue Hire.
Connect project ambitions with fundraising opportunities, identify relevant schemes and partners, support funding applications, sponsorship opportunities, and partnerships.
For a full list please see our website

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Director of Collections & Engagement
  • Salary: £40k-£50k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Museums
  • Role: Curation
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Closing date: Mon, 23 Nov 2026
  • Location:
    North West
    | view on Google Maps

Job: Director of Collections & Engagement

Job: Director of Collections & Engagement

Organisation: People's History Musuem

Postcode: M3 3ER

How to Apply

See our website for the full job advert: https://phm.org.uk/vacancies/director-of-collections-engagement/

Please outline how your experience, skills, and knowledge meet the job description, by sending your CV (up to three sides of A4) and a covering letter (up to three sides of A4) to Jackie Royle, Finance & Operations Manager at [email protected]. The information provided will be assessed and scored against the job description.

Deadline for applications: 10.00am Monday 23 November 2026