Keeper, Global Arts, Cultures & Design at National Museums Scotland

Working Hours: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £76,093 – £86,275
Location: Edinburgh
Closing date: 30/04/2026

About the Role

National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe, caring for a world-class National Collection that spans the natural world, science and technology, global arts and design, and Scottish history.

As a senior leader at National Museums Scotland, you will drive the strategic vision for the department of Global Arts, Cultures and Design. This role is designed for a visionary who bridges the gap between high-level academic research and transformative public engagement. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of curators, volunteers, and research associates, fostering an environment of innovation while ensuring the department’s diverse collections are preserved and developed to the highest standards.

You will drive strategic innovation and ensure these world-class collections are accessible through cutting-edge digital programmes and national outreach. Your impact will extend far beyond the museum walls, representing the organisation on the international stage, navigating complex and vital restitution dialogues that address the legacies of colonialism and decolonisation.

For a senior professional committed to inclusive curatorship and global cultural exchange, this position provides the platform to lead transformative change within one of the UK’s most prestigious heritage organisations.

Key Responisbilities

• Provide leadership for the department, setting objectives, solving problems and developing and distinguishing strategic and innovative thinking to fit with National Museums Scotland’s objectives
• Contribute and participate at senior level in the overall development and delivery of National Museums Scotland’s policy and strategy
• Determine, manage and participate in departmental research activity and its dissemination within National Museums Scotland’s policy and programmes
• Represent National Museums Scotland generally and the department’s collections and activities, nationally and internationally, including in personal areas of expertise
• Take a proactive role in seeking funding opportunities to support projects by negotiating and liaising with external bodies and the effective preparation of applications in liaison with the Development department
• Take overall responsibility for all the departmental collections and curatorial activities, including collection development, conforming to best practice and agreed standards in line with National Museums Scotland’s policies and procedures.
• Be responsible for the management and development of colleagues, volunteers and research associates within the department, ensuring that they are motivated and contribute fully to National Museums Scotland’s objectives with clear definitions of expectations in line with National Museums Scotland’s policy
• Be responsible for the departmental budget and any other budgetary delegations as required
• Maximise accessibility and the public understanding of the collections by leading and supervising departmental contributions to exhibitions, loans, lifelong learning through Learning and Engagement, outreach through National Programmes and access to the collections through other museum-wide projects
• Play a key role in international dialogue around collections development
• Initiative and lead research, collection and partnership projects
• Lead the department’s contribution to the digital programmes of National Museums Scotland
• To undertake any other reasonably required duties as instructed by line manager or someone acting on their behalf, in addition to the role specific responsibilities detailed above.

How to Apply

For more information download the recruitment pack on the National Museums Scotland careers website where you can also apply for this job role listed above.