Location
London, City of London

Hours
Full Time, Permanent

Salary
£65,600 - £82,000

About the Role
Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library dedicated to exploring the past, present and future of health through collections, exhibitions, events, books and online content. Welcoming around 400,000 visitors annually and over 4 million online visits, Wellcome Collection cares for thousands of items relating to health, medicine and human experience, including rare books, artworks, films, personal archives and objects. As part of Wellcome, a charitable foundation supporting science to build a healthier future, we are seeking a Head of Information, Research and Culturally Sensitive Collections to join our team.

You will lead the Information, Research and Culturally Sensitive Collections team within the Collections, Research and Digital Directorate, reporting to the Associate Director of Collections and Digital. This team manages collections metadata and organisation, develops innovative and equitable research programmes, and leads approaches to culturally sensitive collections including restitution, repatriation and knowledge exchange, ensuring positive outcomes for communities of origin.

As a vital member of Wellcome Collection's newly formed leadership team, you will oversee collections information, research and culturally sensitive collections processes, translating and prioritising the Strategic Plan to deliver Wellcome and Wellcome Collection’s mission. This role is critical in guiding teams through a period of change, supporting a new strategic plan and capital project that will expand Wellcome Collection’s ambition and scale.

Key responsibilities include leading team managers to ensure strategic alignment with Wellcome Collection’s vision, providing leadership and advocacy for expert teams, designing and implementing a new research strategy, establishing an internal research network, and fostering innovative collections information and sensitive collections practices. You will increase visibility and accountability for collections information and research, develop data-informed diversification of research communities, and lead improvements from Archive Service Accreditation and other strategic ambitions. Your approach will be human-centred, placing audiences, communities and stakeholders at the core of collections and research knowledge creation.

Experience
- Demonstrable experience managing culturally sensitive research and collections work with positive outcomes for communities of origin.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders including executive and non-executive board members and national or international policy bodies, resulting in strategic sector-level changes.
- Appropriate management experience in an archive, library or museum setting, with responsibility for significant multi-format collections and research programmes.
- Strong understanding of coherent digital services and the role of digital in increasing accessibility.
- Demonstrable leadership and strategic impact in collections returns work, including restitution, repatriation, knowledge exchange, and familiarity with relevant legal and ethical frameworks.

About you
You are an exceptional leader experienced in managing uncertainty, change and sensitive issues with integrity and probity. You communicate effectively to diverse audiences including executive boards and stakeholders across arts, cultural and research sectors. You have a personal commitment to equitable practice across access, diversity and inclusion, and understand how to embed these values into collections services.

Qualifications
Relevant professional qualifications or equivalent experience in archives, libraries, museums or related fields are expected, alongside a strong track record of leadership in collections and research management.