Vacancy Details

Full Time, Permanent

The British Library holds a world famous collection of printed and manuscript music, music recordings, concert programmes and books and periodicals on music.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead on developing, managing, promoting and making accessible the Library’s Music collections. As Head of Music Collections you will oversee all projects and activities relating to all published and unpublished music (excluding sound recordings), leading the curatorial music team and managing associated budgets.

You will play a leading role in developing future major programs and partnerships, both nationally and internationally, working collaboratively across the Library and with external partners. You will lead the interpretation, promotion and making accessible of the collection to diverse users and audiences through public engagement activities, documentation and digitisation projects, research, exhibitions, and cultural events.

You will have a first degree (or degree level qualification) in a discipline relevant to Music collections and a deep knowledge of music manuscripts and publishing, exemplified by a research or other relevant output. Youwill have experience in managing heritage and contemporary collections in a library, archive or museum setting, and in managing relevant resources and/or projects. You will have an established reputation in the field of music studies, a wide network of high-profile contacts, and experience of cultural diplomacy. Proven leadership and human resource management skills, as well as excellent communication and organisational skills are essential to this post. A recognised qualification in Librarianship, Information Science, or Archives is also desirable.

As one of the world’s great libraries, our duty is to preserve the nation’s intellectual memory for the future and make it available to all for research, inspiration and enjoyment. At present we have well over 170 million items, in most known languages, with three million new items added every year. We have manuscripts, maps, newspapers, magazines, prints and drawings, music scores, and patents. We make our collections and programmes available to all. We operate the world’s largest document delivery service providing millions of items a year to customers all over the world. What matters to us is that we preserve the national memory and enable knowledge to be created both now and in the future by anyone, anywhere.

In return we offer a competitive salary, support flexible and hybrid working and offer a number of excellent benefits.  Our pension scheme is one of the most valuable benefits we offer, as our staff can become members of the Alpha Pension Scheme where the Library contributes a minimum of 26.6% (this may be higher dependant on grade). Another significant benefit the Library provides is the provision of a flexible working hours scheme which could allow you to work your hours flexibly over the week and to take up to 5 days flexi leave in a 3 month period. This is on top of 25 days holiday from entry and public and privilege holidays.

For further information and to apply, please visit www.bl.uk/careers quoting vacancy ref: 04251

Closing Date:  09 October 2022

Interview Date: 31 October 2022

We are able to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role, as it does meet the eligibility criteria required for this immigration route