Curator, Film (Cold War)

Salary: £27,000 per annum

Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford is seeking a new Curator, Film (Cold War) to create and develop the collection, provide content for IWM’s public programme and interpret objects which fall within that period (1949-2000).

The Cold War and late twentieth-century conflict team is one of four curatorial teams whose key role is to create and develop the collection, provide content for our public programme and interpret objects which fall within that period (1949-2000). As a curator in the team you will be involved in the development of collections material relating to the Cold War, ‘small wars’ and actions related to decolonisation, counter insurgency and peacekeeping missions in the second half of the twentieth century, with particular responsibility for film, both analogue and digital.

Key duties

1. To apply to all areas of activity a cohesive understanding of the material culture of the Cold War and late twentieth-century conflict
2. To interpret our collection in fresh, creative ways that are always audience-centred
3. To deliver and support delivery of historical content for galleries and exhibitions, as well as for Learning, Development, Press, Media, Marketing and Commercial activities
4. To work with the Cold War and late twentieth-century conflict team, Collections Management and Heads of Media to ensure effective stewardship and care of the collection, and to target priorities for acquisition and disposal
5. To engage in academic research projects and support meaningful partnerships that enrich our understanding of our collection
6. To encourage and support the development of Assistant Curators, apprentices and volunteers
7. To facilitate and support access to our collection, knowledge and skills to the public and to colleagues across IWM
8. To work at all times as a team member, consulting with colleagues and sharing knowledge and information
9. To apply excellent two-way communication skills in working with audiences, stakeholders both internal and external and the Cold War and late twentieth-century conflict team
10. To ensure that all areas of activity deliver IWM brand values and comply with corporate priorities, standards and systems
11. To assess and identify titles in the Cold War and late twentieth-century conflict film collection that can be made publicly accessible and licensed online.
12. To support the Senior Curators and Head of Cold War and late twentieth-century conflict in identifying strategic priorities and development of corporate plans
13. To engage with stewardship and interpretation priorities in line with broader strategies relating to the IWM film collection
14. To represent IWM on external professional and academic boards and at conferences, workshops and seminars
15. To provide media interviews and give tours and presentations to stakeholders and VIP visitors.

Minimum qualifications

Degree and/or other relevant qualification in History, Film or Media Studies or equivalent museological and historical knowledge built up through experience.

Skills and experience required

• Strong general grounding in 20th and 21st century history, with particular emphasis on the Cold War and late twentieth-century conflict, and current affairs.
• An understanding and appreciation of IWM’s remit in its broadest sense
• Demonstrable knowledge of frameworks – legal, ethical and professional – in which IWM operates, with practical experience of their application
• Experience of acquiring, researching and interpreting museum collections for a range of audiences
• Demonstrable experience of communicating difficult concepts and content to a range of audiences
• Ability to analyse and interpret film collections, both analogue and digital
• A demonstrable ability to use Microsoft Office, email and the internet.

For full details and to apply online, click here.

The closing date for this position is 07/02/2020 at 09:00