Digital And Collections Projects Manager - Interim Cover

The Digital and Collections Projects Manager (DCPM) will lead the day-to-day progress to continue development and also redevelopment of Waddesdon’s web presence in order to bring access to our collections to the fore.

The DCPM is responsible for liaising with the curatorial and archive teams to develop and deliver information about the collections and our exhibition programs in various Digital and print media. The projects will be delivered via the Waddesdon website and wide range of digital providers including Smartify, Bloomberg, Google Arts and Culture as well as project-specific platforms which result from our academic collaborations and the National Trust.

The DCPM will liaise with the Collections Manager to oversee the administration of the photographic record of the Collections and the department Image Library to ensure that there is a digital photographic record of the entire collection, and where appropriate, analogue photographs.

The DCPM will have excellent knowledge of IP, copyright and other legal requirements involved in the publication of images and information.

The DCPM will also have and develop expertise in use of CMS systems for the delivery of projects and working with cultural sector websites.

The role will involve delivery of the exhibition programme and projects undertaken by the department. Depending on the individual exhibition this will be in collaboration with the Collections Manager and the RF Collection Manager.

Specific Duties Include:

Digital and Collections projects:

• Lead day-to-day web projects liaising with in house colleagues and managing delivery
• Work closely with curators and archivists to deliver and publish content for Digital and Collections Projects (including traditional print media)
• Manage priorities, monitor progress and keep projects working on schedule
• Have a good understanding of cataloguing standards and protocols, as well as IP in order to ensure publication of accurate information
• Update internal teams about design and development progress
• Review and update CMS content on existing websites and platforms including social media channels
• Develop proposals for posting on new platforms
• Use Google Analytics to analyse user behaviour and website performance
• Manage the delivery of exhibitions in collaboration with the CM and RF CM
• Support the ongoing refresh of Waddesdon’s website, and create social media content relating to the collections
• Update the Bloomberg app, understanding the relevance and accessibility of audio, collections, and exhibitions content
• Oversee the ongoing T59 inventory of photographs, including potential volunteer management for this project
• Create room records and templates
• Collate and report on current and future Procedures and policies
• Data entry for pat and future exhibitions (2005-present)
• Oversee the current projects of the Digital and Collections Projects Manager, for example collating material for 2025 exhibitions
• Deinstallation of the current Guercino exhibition

Management of digital resources (pending review of Image Library Coordinator role liaise with RF CM to include):

• Liaise and the Collections Manager to ensure that photographic holdings of the Collections are catalogued and that appropriate and accurate information is recorded
• Oversee programs to ensure that there is a record photograph for every object in the collection
• Oversee management of internal and external image requests including the clearance of rights and updated bibliographic records
• Contribute to the specifications for a DAMS for all Waddesdon digital material
• Audit, update, create and report on photographic records on the Vernon CMS database and DAMS
• Oversee request relevant reproduction rights for loan objects (exhibitions and displays).

General:

• Manage relevant budget lines
• Work closely with the Collection Management team (CM and RF CM) and deputise for each other as needed.
• Key internal relationships: curators; archivists; marketing teams; stewards
• Key external relationships: web site developers (Substrakt) digital providers, press consultants
• Manage volunteers – with digitisation and other photo library projects
• Support curatorial work of the department
• Liaise with Image Librarian on Rights, photographic planning, and photographic requirments.

Skills and experience:

• Proven experience of project management of implementing a complex web/digital project working with user-centred design methodologies
• Ability to work flexibly and successfully across teams and hierarchies and build relationships at all levels including excellent interpersonal skills and evidence of ability to influence decision-making
• Excellent prioritisation and time management skills coupled with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Familiarity with or experience of working in an Image Library or similar.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation
• Relevant qualification and/or one or two years’ experience of curatorial activities in a museum, historic house open to the public or similar
• Familiarity with cataloguing (including bibliographic material), collections management systems and data entry. Knowledge of Vernon would be an advantage
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Meticulous approach and good attention to detail.
• Photography skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, IT, social media and office skills.
• Multi-task and prioritise demands
• Driver’s license