This is a part time (3 day a week/21 hour role) based at the Museum of the Order of St John. It is also a job share. Whilst some home working is possible, the role requires a large percentage of time working onsite with the collections. 

Do you want to make a difference and be part of a vibrant and inclusive organisation that has been helping save lives for more than a century? As one of the country’s best-loved charities, St John Ambulance played a pivotal role in responding to the pandemic as well as ‘everyday’ health emergencies, training, supporting communities, and improving young people’s lives.

This is an exciting time to join St John as our new 10 strategy is underway and we continue our digital transformation. We are seeking a Curator to join our heritage team at the Museum of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell where you will have responsibility for ensuring that our internationally-significant collections are looked after, managed and developed to the highest possible standards. You will also contribute to making our collections more accessible to wide audiences through world-class interpretation and through engaging with experts, local communities, researchers, interest groups and those in formal education. The stewardship of the collection is at the heart of this position and the Curator will have an influential role to ensure the right resources are available and improving standards of care, cataloguing and conservation. You will support the interpretation of our Grade I-listed historic buildings, including a Tudor gatehouse and twelfth century crypt. This is an exciting time to join the Museum as we prepare for the charity’s 150th anniversary in 2027 and develop a national programme of heritage activities. 

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do. The role benefits from a competitive salary, generous pension, hybrid, flexible working, 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) - increasing to 38 days over 5 years[FD1] , options to buy and sell holiday, free first/mental health aid first aider courses, Blue Light and NHS online shopping discounts, cycle to work scheme, life assurance, flu jab, eye care, mental health and wellbeing tools and volunteering days. 

Please see the job description for more detail (this can be viewed on our website or once you click apply)

About You:

• Experience of managing an accredited museum collection or working towards accreditation with a deep understanding of the complexities of managing an historic property with significant collections
• Knowledge of best practice standards of collections care, conservation, interpretation, display and management
• Experience of working with and building relationships with facilities, estates teams and external contractors
• Experience of working with and administering collections management databases and developing and delivering high quality content, projects and interpretation
• Experience of managing, leading and motivating teams of staff and volunteers

About The Role: 

• Deliver the Collections Management Strategy and work with the National Collections Manager to support the same for all St John heritage
• Deliver the Collections Care Strategy ensuring that the collections and heritage in the stewardship of the Museum benefit from regular preventive conservation and appropriate environmental monitoring
• Manage the Collections development with a particular focus on contemporary collecting, following agreed approval procedures
• Provide collections support to enable the Learning & Engagement Manager to develop opportunities for public engagement, making inclusive access to the collections and stories of St John a priority for all existing and future programmes
• Develop knowledge of St John’s heritage and its collection by engaging in academic research and developing relationships with experts for the benefit of your own learning and the understanding St John has of its heritage assets

About Us:

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,700 employees and over 30,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning. As a charity with rich heritage and a long history of serving humanity, we are proud of our past and excited about creating a healthier, safer, more resilient future. 

St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We do this through developing and providing effective community response and outreach services (e.g. Ambulance response, Falls response, Night Time Economy and Homelessness outreach) and using our longstanding expertise to empower people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them (e.g. our Volunteers and Community Advocates, NHS Cadets and Young Responders programmes).

Find out more about us, including our new Ask Me campaign, at www.sja.org.uk 

If you are a current St John Ambulance employee, please apply here: Click here

For all other candidates, or St John Ambulance volunteers wishing to apply: please apply below

St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.   

Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy.

Recruitment Agencies: We are not utilising the services of recruitment agencies for this vacancy and will accept direct applications only.