National Curator

We have an exciting new opportunity for a National Curator of South Asian collections for a 2-year fixed term.

Our South Asian collections include around 5000 items of furniture, photographs, weapons, royal regalia, decorative arts, miniatures, items of worship, textiles, dress, and more. The collections are dispersed across properties in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and encompass the vast diversity of South Asian religions, languages, and histories.

You'll support a ground-breaking programme involving some of the most significant houses and collections in the National Trust’s care, including two notable South Asian collections at Powis Castle in Wales and Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire.

What it's like to work here

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office on occasion. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

Your role will specifically involve travel to Wales and Midlands England, as well as to key properties across the Trust. There is an opportunity to explore and agree the working arrangements which strike the right balance for you and the Trust.

What you'll be doing

Working as a member of the National Curatorial team, you'll support key properties to better research, catalogue, conserve, interpret, and display South Asian collections. You'll work collaboratively with external specialists and colleagues across the organization to enhance collections knowledge and co-develop engagement plans. As a subject specialist working across the Trust, you will use your expertise to provide advice to colleagues at several key properties, championing rigorous research, embedding knowledge, and improving the visibility of South Asian collections and histories .

Your primary role will focus on the collections of Powis Castle and Kedleston Hall, where you will facilitate and support a range of curatorial projects, both digital and in-person, involving new research, interpretation, and community participation. As a lead for research, you will provide sensitive and ethical approaches to the conservation, interpretation, and displays of South Asian collections. Your ability to foster collaborative partnerships with scholars, communities, national and international cultural institutions will be integral to this work.

Who we're looking for

You can view the full role profile for this opportunity in the document attached to provide a full picture of what is possible in this role. We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• A postgraduate qualification and/or relevant curatorial experience in South Asian collections.
• Experience of leading prioritized programs of cataloguing and research.
• A background of building effective international relationships within museum, heritage, or academic sectors.
• A background of working creatively and collaboratively with a wide range of partners, stakeholders, individuals, and communities.
• Experience of curating or supporting exhibitions and displays.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Tax-free childcare scheme
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme 
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places