Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
Head Of Heritage And Collections
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Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage is seeking an exceptional Head of Heritage and Collections to lead the strategic development, management and interpretation of one of the UK's leading collections dedicated to the histories, cultures and artistic contributions of Britain's African and African Caribbean communities.
This is a senior leadership position responsible for shaping Serendipity's heritage vision and ensuring that its collections, archives, exhibitions, publications, research and public programmes continue to set national standards for excellence, scholarship and community engagement.
Working closely with the CEO and Artistic Director, the Head of Heritage and Collections will provide strategic leadership across the organisation's heritage portfolio, ensuring that heritage informs every aspect of Serendipity's artistic, educational and public programme.
The role encompasses leadership of Serendipity's collections, archives, exhibitions, oral history programme, publications and heritage research, alongside responsibility for major public programmes.
The Head of Heritage and Collections will establish and strengthen partnerships with museums, archives, universities, libraries and heritage organisations locally, nationally and internationally, ensuring that Serendipity remains at the forefront of Black arts and heritage practice.
The post requires occasional evening and weekend working to support Serendipity's public programme.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the strategic development of Serendipity's heritage and collections programme.
- Develop a long-term vision for the growth, sustainability and public accessibility of Serendipity's collections and archives.
- Embed heritage across Serendipity's artistic, research, education and publishing programmes.
- Lead organisational thinking around collections development, interpretation and audience engagement.
- Contribute to organisational business planning and future strategic development.
- Identify opportunities for national leadership, collaboration and innovation within the heritage sector.
Collections and Archive Management
- Lead the development, care and management of Serendipity's physical and digital collections.
- Develop collections policies, acquisition strategies and documentation procedures.
- Ensure collections are catalogued, digitised and managed in accordance with recognised museum and archive standards.
- Oversee collections management systems including Axiell Collections.
- Ensure appropriate preservation, conservation and long-term stewardship of archive materials.
- Lead on copyright, licensing, intellectual property, image rights and permissions.
- Develop archive access policies for researchers, schools, community groups and the public.
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Research and Knowledge Exchange
- Lead original research into Black British history, arts and heritage.
- Commission and undertake oral history projects.
- Develop exhibitions, publications and digital interpretation.
- Work collaboratively with historians, academics, artists and community researchers.
- Ensure historical accuracy, scholarly rigour and inclusive interpretation across all heritage outputs.
Programme Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership for Serendipity's major heritage programmes, including:
- Unearthed: Forgotten Histories – Legacy Projects
- Black History Month Leicester, Annual Windrush Day Lecture and Heritage Open Days
- Black Heritage Voices Conference
- Heritage Learning and Engagement Programmes (including Young Archivists)
- Serendipity’s Archive and Collections (Living Archive) and community archive development
- Heritage exhibitions and publications
Partnerships and Sector Leadership
- Develop strategic partnerships with museums, archives, universities, libraries and cultural organisations.
- Represent Serendipity within regional and national heritage networks.
- Develop collaborative research, exhibitions and knowledge exchange projects.
- Position Serendipity as a national centre for Black arts and heritage.
Publications and Interpretation
- Lead heritage content across Serendipity publications.
- Commission and edit heritage research where appropriate.
- Secure image rights and publication permissions.
- Oversee archive photography, digitisation and metadata standards.
- Support podcasts, films and digital storytelling informed by the collections.
Fundraising and Project Development
- Lead delivery of major heritage projects including National Lottery Heritage Fund programmes.
- Contribute to fundraising strategy and grant applications.
- Monitor project outcomes and evaluation.
- Produce reports for funders, trustees and senior management.
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Leadership and Management
- Lead and develop the Heritage and Collections Team.
- Manage freelancers, consultants, volunteers and placement students.
- Oversee departmental budgets and resources.
- Develop annual work plans and departmental objectives.
- Ensure high standards of governance, collections care and project delivery.
General Responsibilities
- Act as an ambassador for Serendipity nationally and internationally.
- Support with promotion and communication of Serendipity’s events and activities.
- Represent the organisation at conferences, seminars and public events.
- Contribute to the wider artistic and strategic development of Serendipity.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the seniority of the post.
Person Specification
Essential
- Degree or equivalent professional experience in heritage, museum studies, archives, history, arts management or a related discipline.
- Significant senior experience within the heritage, museum or archive sector.
- Demonstrable experience managing collections and archives.
- Strong knowledge of Black British history and the histories of Britain's African and African Caribbean communities.
- Experience delivering heritage programmes, exhibitions and publications.
- Experience managing teams and complex projects.
- Knowledge of collections management standards, copyright and intellectual property.
- Excellent partnership development and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong financial and project management skills.
- Excellent written, editorial and communication skills.
Desirable
- Experience of National Lottery Heritage Fund projects.
- Experience using Axiell Collections Management.
- Experience developing heritage learning programmes.
- Knowledge of digital preservation methodologies.
- Experience of fundraising and bid writing.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as the Archives and Records Association or Museums Association.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter detailing their qualifications, experience. Applications should be sent to: opportunities@serendipity-uk.com
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage is an equal opportunities employer. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups within the arts sector.
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