Collection Coordinator (Visual Arts)
Date: 15 Mar 2024
Location: London, UKM, GB
Company: British Council
We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.
- 32 days annual leave
- Attractive civil service pension scheme with 27% employer contribution
- Supports the maintenance of the Collection and its assets ready for use in the Visual Arts programme by implementing a range of operational procedures and systems, including preparing and maintaining documentation to UK sector standards, and following international museum collection care standards for storage, handling, packing and display.
- Maintains accuracy and constantly improves standards in the preparation and update of collection documentation: data cleansing, historical provenance research, conservation records, artist records and files for internal and external resources to improve and enrich collection documentation of art works.
- Works with the technical team to maintain up to date records for requirements and care of art works.
- Coordinates collection audits undertaking physical checks and assists with the works of art annual return for offices, updating records, and escalating issues adhering to standard policy and procedure and to agreed deadlines.
- Provides general administrative support to the Collection Manager and the wider team to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of projects related to collection care and management and assists with processing financial information and operational administration.
- Proactively maintains a sound working knowledge of major developments, issues and stakeholders within the Visual Arts and collections management sector to build professional credibility, confidence, and market insight.
- Keeps up to date with developments in collection documentation, care, and in the safe handling and transportation of artworks internationally.
- Takes responsibility for responding knowledgeably and professionally to enquiries about the Collection and operational facilities to ensure a high-quality customer experience and maintain the team’s reputation internally and externally.
- Maintains good working relationships across Visual Arts, Global Estates, IT, Finance, suppliers and contractors to facilitate effective and efficient operational service delivery.
- Works closely with the technical team, the Loans Coordinator and the Collection Content Coordinator
- Administers British Council financial processes and procedures to enable effective budget and resource management, including raising purchase orders and invoices and creating vendors.
- Actively seeks to maximise value for money when acquiring resources, goods or services.
- Follows agreed British Council risk management processes and procedures when delivering services.
- Plans and prioritises own work activities responding to changing requirements to ensure effective delivery of responsibilities.
- Tasks and coordinates others to complete activities in accordance with agreed project or programme milestones or requirements.
- Actively works to mainstream EDI and become anti-racist in our cultures and practices within our organisation and in our programmes.
- Good knowledge of and interest in UK Visual Arts and museum sector
- Demonstrable experience in a Visual Arts or museum environment of museum documentation, collection care and the principles of conservation condition reports
- Demonstrable knowledge of SPECTRUM standards and workflow and application of best practice and accuracy in documentation policy, procedures and processes
- Demonstrable experience of using a collection management system with excellent software, organisational and data management skills and experience, with a range of packages including Microsoft Office applications and adhering to GDPR protocols
- Good communication and relationship management skills
- Experience of using a financial system to process purchase orders and invoices
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of UKRG and international museum collection care standards for handling, transport and display of art