Curator of Industry & Metalwork

Education

Sheffield Museums

Job Title: Curator of Industry and Metalwork

Responsible to: Head of Collections

Responsible for: Collections Officers

Curatorial / Collections Assistants

Volunteers

Work Placements

External Contractors and Suppliers

Liaises with: All Employees at SMT

External Contractors and Suppliers

External partners

The Job

The purpose of the job is to:

Ensure that Sheffield’s Industry and Metalwork collections are creatively displayed, researched and developed, reflecting Sheffield’s unique history and contemporary achievements.
Lead the Industry and Metalwork collections management, and work with colleagues to deliver exhibitions, displays, digital content and events.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, communities, creative practitioners, specialists and business to create a diverse, engaging and enjoyable range of activities that promote ownership and knowledge about the Industry and Metalwork collections.
Champion access to the Trust’s collections including Sheffield’s Designated Metalwork collection.

The Bigger Picture

You will:

Develop the Industry and Metalwork collections through collaboration, research and strategic acquisitions in line with the Collections Development Policy, including identifying resources to facilitate the acquisition of objects within this area and contributing to funding applications.
Initiate and deliver activities focusing on Sheffield’s Industry and Metalwork collections, working collaboratively with colleagues, communities, creative practitioners and specialists to develop exhibitions, displays, workshops, events and projects that increase engagement with and understanding of these collections.
Ensure that knowledge and understanding of the Industry and Metalwork collections is embedded throughout Sheffield Museums Trust.
Contribute to and deliver against Sheffield Museums Trust’s strategic plan with specific reference to the Industry and Metalwork collections.
Facilitate access to the Industry and Metalwork collections through loans, digital platforms, publications, research, enquiries and by participating in subject specialist and community networks.
Contribute to decolonising Sheffield’s collections through research, (re)interpretation and display. Working in collaboration with diaspora communities, individuals and groups with specialist expertise, academics, students and volunteers in order to support Sheffield Museums Trust to create a more representative and culturally inclusive collection.
Liaise with a network of individuals and organisations to advocate for the importance of the metalworking and industrial heritage within the city.
Develop and deepen connections with communities, broker relationships and inspire people to get involved and participate and ensure Sheffield Museums provides a vital and relevant service to the city’s population.
Work with the Volunteering Manager to develop and embed a network of volunteers who can undertake collections research, interpretation and documentation

The Day to Day

You will:

Manage all aspects of Industry and Metalwork collections documentation using both manual and digital processes, including tackling historic backlogs, accessioning objects, data entry and digitisation of collections to Accreditation standards.
Work with curatorial colleagues to implement Sheffield Museums Trust’s Collections Management Plan and contribute to the Sustainable Collections Policy, ensuring storage, security, environmental monitoring and movement of the collections are undertaken to Accreditation and the latest SPECTRUM standards.
Work with local and regional colleagues, community participants and volunteers to initiate collections projects that include both the active development and rationalisation of the collections.
Act as a representative and advocate of Sheffield Museums Trust and liaise with external stakeholders and partners including but not limited to universities, community and interest groups, creative practitioners, businesses and specialist network agencies, taking the opportunity to promote fundraising where appropriate.
Explore and assist with securing resources to support the development of and engagement with the Industry and Metalwork collections.
Be responsible for your own safety, the safety of colleagues and visitors, taking all appropriate measures required to maintain the security and safety of collections, buildings and people.
Be available for out of hours emergency call out at all sites as required.
Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be required by the post holder.

Sheffield

£34,325 per annum (pay award pending)

Full Time

37 per week

19-10-2025

The closing date for this post is 19 October 2025. All applications should be submitted using our Networx Recruitment system. Please note we do not accept CV’s. No agencies please. Interviews for this role will be held on Wednesday 5 November 2025 To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sian Brown, Head of Collections sian.brown@sheffieldmuseums.org.uk

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