Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support a sector of 449 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, workforce development, advice and advocacy. We are a forward facing and inclusive organisation, committed to the ongoing development of a positive culture for our team.

We are seeking an experienced professional to lead our work to clearly communicate the positive value and impact of the museums and galleries sector. You will do this by developing and leading advocacy campaigns and activity that make a strong case for Scotland’s museums and galleries sector to influence a range of audiences and stakeholders including Government Officials, Government Ministers, MSPs, relevant Committees, relevant funders and other key organisations and influencers.

Politically astute, the Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager possesses strong communication and influencing skills, using information, research and data to build a political and public case for the sector and inform evidence-based advocacy messaging and activity.

Being able to navigate and effectively communicate complex issues that implicate the wider culture and heritage sector in Scotland will be essential. This is especially vital as parts of our sector face profound budget challenges, many navigating rising operational costs and workforce pressures while also striving to adapt to ensure relevance to communities and users. As national development body, MGS needs to advocate clearly and effectively on their behalf.

This role offers an enriching opportunity to be creative and proactive in developing our organisational voice to highlight pressures on, and make a strong case for, Scotland’s museums and galleries.

The successful candidate will manifest MGS’s core values: collaboration, integrity, passion for museums, and courageousness.

Objectives

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) owns the Museum of Scottish Railways and the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway and manages the core collection that has been Recognised as being of National Significance through the Scottish Government’s Recognition Scheme. Most of the collection is owned by the Scottish Railway Museum Collections Trust (SRMCT) and SRPS manages it on behalf of the owner. Visitors to the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway can see parts of the collection and other rolling stock in operation on the railway and visit the Museum of Scottish Railways.

The post holder will work with our collection to enhance continually its presentation, documentation, storage and use of a searchable online collections database. There will also be a requirement to work closely with the Board and with a team of volunteers. The post will be supervised by an appropriate member of the Board of the SRPS.

Key Responsibilities

1. To represent the interests of the Museum of Scottish Railways within the SRPS, including by attending meetings of the Board and other management committees.
2. To manage the staffing, maintenance and running of the Museum.
3. To manage the delivery of the customer experience in visiting the Museum.
4. To lead and advise the team who maintain the collection.
5. To ensure the Board is provided with informed recommendations on acquisitions, loans and disposals.
6. To ensure the creation of a searchable collection database on our website.
7. To facilitate public access to the collection, including through management of the museum’s social media accounts and website.
8. To ensure compliance with the Museum Accreditation Scheme and with Scottish Government’s Recognition guidelines.
9. To manage the interactions of the Museum, including interfacing with the Scottish Railway Museum Collections Trust, particularly with regard to ownership of vehicles.
10. To represent the SRPS within national museum-supporting organisations.
11. To identify opportunities to apply for grants which would enhance the Museum’s ability to operate or improve the customer experience and then direct the production of grant applications.
12. To manage projects and contractors involved in developing the Museum’s infrastructure as it expands
13. To develop library facilities on site at the Museum
14. To proactively identify projects, and take forward ongoing projects
15. To direct general curatorial duties

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

1. Relevant experience of working with a museum collection, and with staff and volunteers
2. Practical experience of running a successful team, and managing budgets
3. Flexible, confident approach with the ability to work independently or as part of a team
4. Demonstrable capacity to delegate
5. Demonstrable capacity to commit to developing self and colleagues
6. Excellent attention to detail
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
8. High standard of written and spoken English
9. Confident IT skills with experience of collections management systems
10. Familiarity with the use of collections management databases

Desirable

1. Applicants should be educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject
2. Museum studies qualification
3. Interest in Scottish Railway History
4. Experience of working with Adlib
5. Experience of project management
6. Knowledge of preventative conservation
7. Knowledge of the Scottish Museum-supporting environment, including of grant giving organisations, and potential for raising funds