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

Do you have a passion for developing funding opportunities to make a difference? Are you a natural leader who is skilled in managing a team who play an important part in organisational success? If so, we have a great opportunity for you to join Quarriers as Head of Business Development & Grants.

Your new opportunity

Quarriers have a rare and exciting opportunity for a Head of Business Development & Grants to work in partnership with our Associate Directors and Operational Managers to identify opportunities and develop new and existing services. You will manage and work closely with the Business Development & Grants team leading and implementing development strategies to support growth and funding for the overall organisation. You will play a key part in liaising with internal and external stakeholders and overseeing tender and funding opportunities including submissions.

As the Head of Business Development & Grants you will closely monitor and track potential tender opportunities including managing a portfolio of grants and funding aligned with department income and expenditure against budget and set targeted income.

This is a full-time permanent role working 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday) in line with our agile working policy, which blends home-working with office time and service visits.

What you will need to bring to the role

• Proven experience and understanding of implementing and managing business development strategies ideally within the social care/healthcare sector.
• An understanding of social care/healthcare service design.
• Skills in managing risk and business development with an understanding of the Grant funding landscape and innovative practice.
• Excellent IT knowledge and experience in using database systems.
• Extensive knowledge and experience at a senior level in a complex organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organisational skills to support strict deadlines and work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Previous experience of managing a team and delivering positive results.
• Driving licence is essential

What’s in it for you?

• Substantial holiday entitlement.
• Generous workplace pension.
• Family-friendly working policies and procedures.
• Life Assurance.
• Wider benefits including our Employee Assistance Programme, free physiotherapy & occupational health support.

Quarriers have Investors in People Platinum accreditation and are a Scottish Living Wage Employer

About Us

Quarriers is one of Scotland’s leading social care charities. We provide practical care and support for vulnerable children, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances. We challenge poverty and inequality of opportunity to bring about positive changes in people’s lives.