We are hiring - Curator / Manager - Medieval Mile Museum

Curator / Manager – Kilkenny Civic Trust

Employer: Kilkenny Civic Trust

Reporting to: CEO of Kilkenny Civic Trust

Responsible for: The Curation and Operational Management of the Medieval Mile Museum.

Kilkenny Civic Trust was set up in 1989. The Trust operates and manages Butler House and Garden, and the adjacent properties at Castle Yard, which are home to the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Kilkenny Design Centre, and a number of craft businesses.

The Trust has broadened its remit to deepen its strategic involvement in tourism initiatives both in the Trust’s own properties and to help develop Kilkenny as a world-class tourism destination. To this end, the Trust became the licenced operator of a leading Visitor Attraction the ‘Medieval Mile Museum.’ The Museum is a flagship attraction in Ireland’s Ancient East. Situated in the heart of Kilkenny, the museum was formerly St Mary’s Church which dates to the 13^th century. It is the finest example of a medieval church in Ireland and brings to life Kilkenny’s rich history as Ireland’s premier medieval city. The mission of the Trust is to protect, enhance and promote the heritage properties under its care.

Role Overview

To manage the planning, operation, and delivery of the museum exhibitions, visitor experience, collections care, educational and public programmes, guided tours, and events at the Medieval Mile Museum and Kilkenny Civic Trust sites, while achieving business objectives. The duties and responsibilities of the role can vary, depending on the needs and requirements of the business.

Key Accountabilities:

Collections management: caring for artefacts in the museum collection and ensuring best practice museum standards and environmental conditions are maintained and reported on, together with conducting collections research and developing the museum catalogue.
Operations management: line managing the museum team, together with managing the museum’s budget and financial spend.
Business development: managing the final stage delivery of the current museum redevelopment plan (opening in 2025) in partnership with the project team and stakeholders, together with planning and delivering public programming, educational, and outreach programmes.
Management team: working closely with the Events, Marketing, and Facilities Managers, the CEO, and Finance.
Stakeholder management: managing relationships with key stakeholders, including the National Museum of Ireland, Failte Ireland, Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny Tourism, AVEA, the Heritage Council and other Kilkenny heritage sites.

Duties and responsibilities of the role will include:

To optimise the commercial potential of the business.
To manage the day-to-day operation of the museum
To maintain a best-practice curatorial approach to artefact care, documentation, conservation, research, and presentation of the museum.
To liaise closely with the National Museum of Ireland, Failte Ireland, Kilkenny County Council, and other key stakeholders.
To monitor the upkeep of artefacts and collate records.
To work closely with exhibition designers, stakeholders, and project funders on the delivery of the museum redevelopment.
To raise the museum’s profile among domestic and international audiences.
To plan and deliver a programme of events, exhibitions, and activities at the museum.
To plan and deliver educational programmes for the museum.
To ensure the museum operates to agreed best practice standards.
To lead and manage museum staff.
To manage the museum budget, and report on visitor numbers, spend, and revenue.
To work closely with the Marketing and Events team in the development of museum marketing plans and customer experiences.
To liaise with external organisations to access funding for museum development.
To work closely with the management team
To liaise closely with the CEO in implementing the strategic plan

Person Specification

The role will require the successful candidate to have:

Essential:

A Third Level degree in History, Archaeology or Museum Studies or an equivalent qualification is essential.
A customer focus with excellent commercial business acumen.
A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in curating and managing a museum, heritage site, or visitor attraction.
Experience in the management of museum collections and artefacts.
Experience in monitoring artefact environmental conditions.
Experience in line management.
Experience in managing budgets.
Experience in managing external stakeholders.
A proven record of meeting deadlines and achieving business results.
The ability to manage multiple projects to tight deadlines.
A team player with excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Desirable:

Experience in delivering exhibitions and museum redevelopment projects.
A Masters qualification would be an advantage.

Standard Hours: 39-hour week. A competitive salary will apply.

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining why you have applied for the position and how you meet the role specification to grace@medievalmilemuseum.ie.

We are hiring – Curator / Manager