Specialist Consultant Register at Museums Galleries Scotland

Working Hours: To be agreed/discussed
Contract: Fixed Term
Starting salary: Consultant Daily Rate 
Location: Edinburgh/Hybrid
Closing date: Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 9am

About the Role

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is looking to develop and maintain a register of pre-vetted consultants who can be commissioned for specialist work to support museums and galleries as part of its Museum Futures programme. This will allow MGS to respond to the needs of museums quickly and efficiently, providing museum staff with individual and tailored support.

Consultants who are interested in being part of this work will be added to a database and will be contacted where a need for support in their specialist area has been identified. MGS will work collaboratively with consultants and museums to identify the most beneficial relationship in terms of availability, location, dynamic and other accessibility requirements. Please note that inclusion on the register does not constitute a guarantee of engagement, but rather provides an opportunity to be considered for relevant projects.

Introduction to Museums Futures

This programme, which launched in July 2025 and is designed to provide essential support for Scotland’s museums and galleries in direct response to the significant and ongoing financial and capacity challenges faced by the sector. The programme aims to transition the sector from its current fragile state to a more sustainable position.

The programme is being delivered through a collaborative advisory partnership between MGS, Scottish Government, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The partnership was established to shape the programme and identify where there are opportunities for parallel support. The programme aims to:

• Respond to the significant and ongoing financial and capacity challenges faced by the sector;
• Move beyond reacting to crisis situations to building long term resilience – to set the museum sector on a journey towards sustainability;
• Support the strategic change needed to ensure that museums can continue to enrich local
• communities now and for generations, by accelerating collaboration, innovation and organisational sustainability; and
• Take a strategic approach to allocation of additional funding to ensure maximum impact.

The programme has two core strands:

1. A selection of targeted funding options to address sector needs and facilitate testing of new approaches; and
2. Wraparound programme of support to include skills development, networking and professional mentoring or advice.

Skills and Experience

MGS is particularly interested in consultants who have expertise in the following areas (please note this list is not exhaustive):

• Charity governance, including board development and succession planning;
• Business planning, strategic planning, financial planning and management;
• Risk Management and mitigation including crisis management/ business continuity;
• Developing and managing heritage projects;
• Community Asset Transfer;
• Diversifying income streams including fundraising and philanthropy and income generation;
• Marketing, websites, digital engagement;
• Audience research and development;
• Volunteer recruitment and Management; and
• Climate Adaptation

It is essential for consultants to have experience of working in the heritage or museum sectors. Please note that as the Museum Futures programme supports museums all over Scotland, travel to locations across the country may be required.

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming part of the consultant register, please email museumfutures@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk with the following information no later than 9am on Wednesday 17 June 2026:

• an expression of interest summary of no more than 500 words highlighting your expertise and any previous experience in the museum or heritage sector;
• Two examples of work in specialist areas mentioned above where you can demonstrate your experience;
• A CV or organisational profile;
• A note of your daily rate; and two referees’ contact details.

Assessment

Expressions of interest will be assessed by the Museum Futures team and selection for inclusion in the database will be determined by the following criteria:

• Relevant experience in specialist area(s);
• Relevant experience in the museum or heritage sector;
• Cost;
• Satisfactory references;
• Geographical location (where in person meetings are required);
• Commitment to Values – a brief outline of how you or your organisation demonstrate a commitment to:
• Anti-racism – for reference, see MGS Anti-Racism Case Study
• Anti-ableism (where relevant: e.g. addressing accessibility issues by improving opportunities and access to services and employment; not tolerating ableist behaviour and calling out such behaviour, and ensuring that staff have a safe environment to report ableist behaviour)
• Sustainability practices and low-carbon approaches to delivery
• Fair work practices (where relevant: e.g. fair pay and working hours, skills and training provision; protection of vulnerable groups; flexible work policies; avoidance of exploitative practices, and the provision of support to staff in their work, wellbeing and life balance)
• (Where relevant) confirmation that you or your organisation:
• Are an accredited Real Living Wage employer, or
• Pay the Real Living Wage to all directly employed staff.

Questions Should you have any questions, please send an email to museumfutures@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk. Please note that the deadline for queries is 5pm on Monday 8 June 2026.