Location
City of London, Wellcome Collection offices (Hybrid working: 3 days in office, 2 days remote or office)

Hours
Full Time, Permanent

Salary
£65,600 - £82,000 per annum

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, it 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 lead a vital team within the Collections, Research and Digital Directorate.

You will report to the Associate Director of Collections and Digital and lead expert teams responsible for collections management, metadata, research innovation, and culturally sensitive collections work including restitution, repatriation and knowledge exchange. This leadership role is critical in guiding these teams through a period of strategic growth and change, embedding Wellcome Collection’s Strategic Plan and supporting a major capital project to expand the museum’s ambition and scale.

Key responsibilities include leading team managers to align with Wellcome Collection’s vision and mission, 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 champion a human-centred approach that places audiences, communities and stakeholders at the core of collections knowledge and practice.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of collections and research at a globally respected institution, working closely with senior leadership and a wide range of stakeholders across the arts, cultural and research sectors.

Experience
- Proven leadership in managing significant, multi-format collections and research programmes within archives, libraries or museums.
- Demonstrable experience managing culturally sensitive research and collections work resulting in positive outcomes for communities of origin.
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders including executive and non-executive board members and national or international policy bodies, leading to strategic sector-level changes.
- Strong understanding of digital services and their role in increasing accessibility.
- Proven leadership and strategic impact in collections returns work, including restitution, repatriation, knowledge exchange, and navigating legal and ethical frameworks.

About You
- Exceptional leader able to manage uncertainty, change and sensitive issues with integrity and probity.
- Skilled communicator capable of influencing diverse audiences including executive boards and stakeholders across arts, cultural and research sectors.
- Committed to equitable practice across access, diversity and inclusion, with experience embedding these values into collections services.
- Passionate about fostering an innovative, human-centred approach to collections and research.

Qualifications
- Relevant professional experience in archives, libraries or museums with responsibility for collections and research management.
- Demonstrable strategic leadership and management skills aligned with the role’s requirements.