We're looking for an Interpretation Lead to deliver the AELTC strategy for Heritage by leading interpretation, exhibitions and displays across the Heritage Collections, inspiring opportunities for enjoyment and learning with all our audiences, ensuring accessibility, inclusivity and diversity of engagement.

We are recruiting on a 24 month basis for this role, however there may be the opportunity to covert this role into a permanent position during the course of the fixed term contract.

Background

Founded in 1868, The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is a private members’ club which organises and stages The Championships, Wimbledon.

The award-winning Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is open year-round and welcomes around 100,000 visitors a year, enabling them to engage with the heritage of this prestigious club in the Museum and on the Tour. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and skilled individual to lead the interpretation of the Heritage Collections into the future. The Heritage Collections consist of over one million items comprising of museum objects, archives, photographs and books.

Our visitors come from all around the world to enjoy Wimbledon year-round in our Museum and on our award-winning tours of the Grounds. Many discover the magic of Wimbledon as part of our award-winning learning offer aimed at students of all ages or as part of our community engagement programme.

Main Responsibilities

Interpretation and Curatorial Responsibilities

• Lead on curating exhibitions and permanent displays as outlined in the Exhibition and Displays Strategy and as instructed by Senior Curator. Including within the museum, across all AELTC sites and digitally.
• Set objectives, project manage, content manage and oversee all exhibitions and interpretation produced by the team as well as creating interpretation yourself.
• Brief and work collaboratively with stakeholders, colleagues, and contractors, as appropriate, to ensure the development of high-quality interpretive content and interactives for exhibitions and displays, online digital interpretation, events and other requirements as requested by the wider business.
• Strive to make the visitor experience accessible for the widest possible audience, providing opportunities for more diverse representation and more visitor participation while ensuring the safety and preservation of the Heritage Collections.
• Lead on designing, collecting, analysing, and acting upon evaluation and audience data aimed at improving interpretation and accessibility.
• Form and implement the processes behind creating interpretation, drawing on sector best practice and ensure these processes are embedded within the team.
• Research items in the collection and add to the collection’s knowledge within the team. Maintain links with tennis experts and ensure the latest research is considered when curating displays, exhibitions and other interpretation.
• Work collaboratively with the Collections Lad to improve access to collections online.
• Work collaboratively with other colleagues on other digital interpretation projects including social media content.
• Learn about the history of tennis and be confident to act as the spokesperson for the Museum. Occasionally handle media enquiries and speak to groups as appropriate and as directed by Senior Curator.
• Answer enquiries about the Heritage Collections and subject matter as well as overseeing the enquiries service and visits by researchers to view all collections.

Leadership and management skills

• Motivate and lead your team ensuring that they are empowered to succeed in their areas of responsibility. Work with them to set stretching objectives and support their professional development.
• Manage, lead, support and appraise your direct reports and ensure that company values are upheld across the team.
• Build relationships and networks across the organisation to increase access to the collections and celebrate the work of the team.
• Coordinate communication from the team to the wider business in consultation with Community Strategy and Museum and Tours Team
• Chair and oversee the Interpretation Development Group.
• Manage budgets as required.

Professional skills

• Learn about the history of tennis and communicate this to the public as required.

Other Duties

• This job description provides a guideline only. Your role will evolve and other duties may be required of you in the future, as directed by Senior Curator

The Championships

• Longer hours of work may be required during The Championships

Person Specification

Interpretation and Curatorial Responsibilities

Essential

• Experience of curating all elements of accessible, successful exhibitions and displays.
• Experience of leading on and implementing current best-practice in interpretation processes, audience engagement and evaluation.
• Proven track record of creating interpretation for Museum collections and working collaboratively with colleagues in Learning, Outreach and Guest Experience to ensure engaging content.
• Well-established research skills
• Experience of increasing accessibility to Heritage Collections.
• Ability to network with subject specialists to increase knowledge of the museum collection.
• Understanding of collection procedures as defined by SPECTRUM in relation to the movement and display of a wide variety of historic collection items.
• Experience using Collection Management Systems.

Desirable

• Experience using digital techniques and technologies to increase access to Heritage Collections.
• An interest in tennis and tennis history would be an advantage.

Leadership and Management

Essential

• Experience of managing people.
• Proven record of excellent organisation and project management skills.
• Experience managing a budget.
• Ability to inspire and drive excellent performance and ensure the team upholds company values and behaviours.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver results within tight deadlines.
• Good problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage safe working practices.

Desirable

• Experience leading a team.

Other

• Enthusiasm for museums and heritage and a desire to network and create links within relevant circles to further promote the best interests of the Heritage Collections. You will share your contacts willingly and ensure that you network actively within the Museum sector.

Communication Skills

Essential

• Excellent communicator with experience of engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Very good standard of written and spoken English.
• Ability to learn and digest information quickly.
• Confident when communicating with the media.

Other

• Proficient with Microsoft Office programmes.
• Ability to work extended hours, some evenings and weekends as required.
• Commitment to your own professional development and to actively encourage learning and development across the team