Collections Officer

Help bring our collections to life.

Are you passionate about museum collections and committed to ensuring they are cared for, accessible and engaging?

The Amelia Scott is looking for a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Collections Officer to play a key role in overseeing and developing its collections. You will help ensure that the collections are managed to professional standards while creating opportunities for visitors, researchers and local communities to explore and connect with them.

About the role

Working closely with colleagues, partners and volunteers, you will support all aspects of collections management, including acquisitions, disposals, loans, object movements, documentation and location control. You will also help maintain the permanent galleries, coordinating object rotations, display changeovers and collections care.

You will lead collections rationalisation work, supervise collections-based projects and contribute to The Amelia’s accreditation requirements. The role also supports public access and engagement through research enquiries, reserve collection visits, exhibitions, talks, presentations and learning activities.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the permanent galleries and ensuring displays are maintained to appropriate standards.
• Overseeing collections-based projects within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Managing and supporting volunteers and student placements.
• Leading the rationalisation of The Amelia’s heritage collections.
• Following professional collections management procedures in accordance with SPECTRUM 5.1, ISAD(G) and The Amelia’s Collections Management Plan.
• Supporting digitisation, digital access and accurate collections documentation.
• Responding to research enquiries and facilitating access to reserve collections.
• Identifying opportunities for grant funding, donations and sponsorship.

You will have practical experience of professional museum collections management, including object handling, collections care, acquisitions, disposals, loans and object movements. You will be confident working independently, applying sound professional judgement and identifying and escalating risks to collections. You will also bring project management experience.

Experience of using a Collections Management System, particularly MODES, and a professional qualification in Museum Studies or a related discipline would be an advantage.

Working arrangements

This role works Tuesday to Saturday, supporting increased public access to the collections through research enquiries, reserve collection access, talks, volunteering opportunities and other engagement activities. The postholder will also support Front of House operations and help provide a welcoming visitor experience.

What we offer:

• Financial: An attractive basic salary within a clear pay structure. A starting salary of £35,237 increasing to £36,165 after one years service and increasing further to £37,092 upon completion of two years in post (subject to managerial approval).
• Holiday Entitlement: 24 days annual leave (increasing to 27 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus three additional days in December and bank holidays.
• Pensions: Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 16.8%.
• Free staff parking.
• Hybrid: The Council operates a hybrid working model.
• Access to HAPI an all‑in‑one benefits hub, giving you easy access to a wide range of employee perks, wellbeing support, discounts, and everyday savings.
• Personal Development: Invaluable training opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Employee Assistance Programme: The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirement of work and home.
• To learn more about working at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, explore the kind of place we are, work that matters with people who care, and our pay, benefits, and hybrid working.

Equal Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.