Picture Library Image Cataloguer

Picture Library Image Cataloguer

Working pattern-  Two days per week

Salary: £11,372 pa (FTE £28,430)

Sir John Soane’s Museum is the idiosyncratic house-museum of the great neo-classical architect Sir John
Soane (1753-1837) and still displays his collection of antiquities, furniture, models and paintings in the
same state in which they were left at the time of his death, as well as preserving over 30,000 architectural
drawings, a fine library and an extensive archive.

As part of a wider mission to open up the collections to a worldwide audience, the Museum is gradually
publishing on its website fully-illustrated catalogues of all its works of art and 30,000 architectural
drawings.

Role Profile

The role facilitates the processing of commercial and other image requests which includes re-sizing,
cropping, and cutting out images using InDesign or similar software. The post holder will also support the
museum’s digital and preservation strategies through digital asset content creation, accurate cataloguing
and uploading to the Digital Asset Management System (DAMS). The role provides support to non-
Collections teams so that the DAMS develops as a central resource across museum teams.

The role will have a dual reporting line to the Deputy Director and Director of Commercial & Operations.
DAMS and cataloguing training will given by the curatorial team.  Depending on the type of image being
catalogued the role may also involve liaison with the Museum’s Curator (Collections), freelance collections
management specialists, Curator of Books and Drawings, Archivist, Head of Conservation and the Digital
Communications Manager. Picture Library training will be provided by the Buying and Retail Manager.

Initially the image workflow (importing, cataloguing and linking to collections records) component will
focus on existing hi-res images for the Drawings catalogue and planning the structure of the Digital Asset
management system ready for the consistent import and cataloguing of images from across the Museum
and for the training of colleagues.

Key responsibilities

Key areas of responsibility are outlined below. It is not an exhaustive list, the role is responsible for any
tasks that relate to image management and supply.

Picture Library

•  Fielding enquiries to the Picture Library email inbox in a timely and efficient manner
•  Providing quotations for image licensing requirements
•  Raising invoices for Picture Library clients and ensuring payments are made

•  Helping to fulfil image permission rights requests
•
Liaising with the Director of Commercial & Operations on any unusual or contentious requests
•  When required re-size, crop, cut-out or alter images in InDesign or similar software (training can be

provided if needed)

Digital Image Workflow – Museum collections

•

Importing digital images to the museum’s digital asset management system (DAMS - AssetIndex+
by SSL Ltd)

Linking images to associated collections records

•  Cataloguing images to agreed museum data standards including relevant rights management data
•
•  Creating folders and ‘filing’ images within agreed departmental database structure.
•  Maintaining a progress log and reporting on progress and issues arising

Digital Asset Workflow

•  Scanning of paper based historical reports and records
•  Filing and naming newly created digital assets according to museum‘s filing and naming

conventions

•  Uploading scanned digital assets to the DAMS and file linking between DAMS and Collections

Management System
•  Handling archive materials
•  Ensuring that fragile archive items are protected, handling all material to a safe and professional

standard and replacing exactly as found after scanning;

•  Maintaining a progress log and reporting on progress and issues arising

User Support

•  Provide user support in the form of a ‘help desk’ (email queries) to colleagues using the DAMS Web
Edition in teams across the museum including in Exhibitions, Learning, Development and Soane
Museum Enterprises

•  Deliver one to one or group training in the use of the Web Edition of the DAMS – in person and

online

•  Maintain and develop user support materials Ensure that issues arising are captured and shared

with the Collections team so that cataloguing standards remain current and relevant

Person Specification

Essential

•  Professional interest in collections information and asset management
•  A methodical and well organised approach to work with an excellent eye for detail
•  Genuine and demonstrable interest in the museum’s collections
•
Informed working knowledge of databases and website content
•
Interest in image clearance and management
•  Photography, editing and copyright skills
•  Comfortable with invoicing and monitoring income databases
•  Excel skills
•  An understanding of the commercial imperatives around image supply

Desirable

•  Relevant experience in architectural or art history
•  Experience of working with digital assets and archival materials and/or of working with a

collections management system

•  Experience of InDesign
•  Good architectural vocabulary
•  Experience of providing training or user support

The Museum is an Equal Opportunities Employer, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and
welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

To apply please email a letter of application explaining how you meet the person specification and attach
your CV, to recruitment@soane.org.uk

The closing date for applications is Sunday 12 April 2026. Interviews will be held in the Museum on Friday
24 April 2026.