October 1999
Dear Colleague
I would like to draw your attention to the information enclosed giving details of the post of Head of the Formal Education section in the V & A Education Department. The section has a range of well established programmes for schools and adult audiences, and plans for development of services for further and higher education students. The Education Department as a whole is increasingly involved in major museum projects such as the Spiral extension, the redisplay of the British Galleries, the new programme of contemporary exhibitions & events, and digital initiatives. The person we appoint will have the opportunity to play a full part in these developments.
If it is not of interest to you personally, please pass it to anyone you may think would be interested. I will be happy to provide further information about the post if needed.
Your sincerely,
David Anderson
Head of Education
Victoria & Albert Museum
HEAD OF FORMAL EDUCATION
£25,000 TO £42,398
Five year fixed term contract
THE V&A NEEDS A NEW HEAD OF FORMAL EDUCATION
The V&A is one of the world's leading museums, with an expanding programme of contemporary art, design events and displays, and a planned new Spiral extension which will provide a centre for innovation. We aim to be a centre of excellence in museum and gallery education.
We are looking for an experienced museum and gallery educator with proven leadership skills to join the Education Department's management team.
The Formal Education Section provides a wide range of services for schools colleges and universities, as well as conferences, courses and study days for general adult and specialist audiences. You will expand these, and help to place the V&A at the centre of contemporary debates on art, craft and design, on-site and on-line.
You will have the ability to balance day-to-day administrative tasks and your own gallery-based teaching with the support and development of your team and contributing to the Museum's education strategy. You will have a strong understanding of the principles of museum and gallery education, and will be able to demonstrate these in practice. You will be a persuasive communicator, with a commitment to improving the museum's services to the public.
For further details and an application form please send a postcard quoting reference HOF, to: Katie Beard, Personnel Department, Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL or
e-mail [log in to unmask]
Closing date for receipt of applications: 26 November 1999
http://www.vam.ac.uk
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Head of Formal Education
Department: Education
Band: 3/2
Contract: Five year fixed term
Reporting to: Head of Education
Purpose of Job
To manage the work of the Formal Education section; to promote and develop the use of the V&A's collections as an educational resource for all sectors of formal education and for adult learners seeking undergraduate level programmes; to increase the numbers of such users and enhance their skills and knowledge and the quality of their experience using Museum resources.
Main Duties
1. To review and develop with members of the Section, a strategy to achieve the purpose of the Section, liaising with other staff in the Department and curatorial and other Museum colleagues as well as outside organisations.
2. To manage and develop the staff of the Section, ensuring that their skills, knowledge and experience grow to meet the changing needs of the Museum.
3. To manage the development of services for schools, universities, colleges, vocational training sectors and undergraduate level adult learners to increase and enhance the use of the Museum.
4. To manage the development of academic conferences, courses, study days and events, to keep the Museum at the forefront of debates on art, craft and design.
5. To maximise income and ensure that budgets and audience targets are closely monitored and achieved.
6. To ensure that the Section promotes its work effectively to its target audiences.
7. To ensure that publications and other resources (including digital resources) are produced to an appropriate standard and on time.
8. To manage the development of the Education Resources Centre and to ensure that it operates effectively.
9. To take a share in the management tasks associated with the whole Education Department and ensure that the staff of the Formal Education Section contribute as required.
10. To maintain your own skills as a practicing educator by regularly undertaking some direct gallery-based teaching and other direct, practical educational work.
11. Within the framework of a research and evaluation programme managed by the Head of Education, manage audience research on the use of museums by the formal education sector, and use this to make changes to improve the quality of provision.
12. Be committed to health and safety and ensure that you are familiar with all of the Museum's health and safety policies and procedures.
13. Carry out other duties as required by the Head of Education.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential requirements
1. Excellent team leadership skills, with the ability to motivate individuals to their maximum potential.
2. Experience of working in a museum, gallery or related arts institution, an understanding of and commitment to the educational role of museums, and the ability to provide input on this at a strategic level.
3. Proven management skills and experience, including the management of people and finance in a complex and demanding environment.
4. An ability to contribute to and develop the teaching programme of the Section.
5. Educational qualifications and/or experience of a specific sector of formal education (eg. PGCE , B.Ed or equvialent).
6. Ability to communicate, to present information in a clear and logical manner and to inter-relate with people at all levels.
7. A capacity to meet deadlines, an ability to balance many simultaneous tasks, a willingness to pay close attention to day to day administrative tasks and an ability to work under pressure.
8. An ability to recognise and implement income generating activities within a Museum environment.
9. Ability to use a wordprocessor in a Windows environment and a capability to develop use of new media as a learning resource.
Desirable requirements
1. A degree related to the V&A's subject and collections.
2. Experience of producing printed material.
OTHER INFORMATION
Hours/Salary
Hours are 36 per week (excluding meal breaks), which are usually expressed as 41 gross hours per week inclusive of a lunch break of 1 hour per day.
This is a through banded post. The salary level will be within V&A pay band 3 (£25,000 rising to £33,446 per annum) or V&A pay band 2 (£32,000 rising to £42,398) depending upon experience and qualifications. If appointed at pay band 3, progressions to pay band 2 will depend upon performance and the meeting of the through graded criteria for the post.
Pay progression depends entirely upon performance which is assessed annually.
Contract
This post is a five year fixed term contract
Annual Leave
28 days plus 8 days public holidays
Age of retirement
The normal retirement age for all V&A employees is 60.
Pension benefits under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS)
We offer benefits under the PCSPS, a final salary scheme which is contracted-out of the state pension scheme. There is a small employee contribution (1½%) for widows and orphans benefits. Full details are available upon appointment.
Other benefits
An interest free season ticket or bicycle loan is available after three months' service.
To apply
Send your completed application form to:
Katie Beard
Personnel Department
Victoria & Albert Museum
South Kensington
London
SW7 2RL
Tel: 0171 942 2937
Fax: 0171 942 2933
E Mail: [log in to unmask]
WWW http://www.vam.ac.uk
Please mark your envelope Recruitment FORMAL on the bottom right hand side. Closing date for receipt of applications is 26 November 1999.
Please note if you have not heard from us by 17 December 1999, you should assume that you have not been short listed for interview. We regret that we cannot acknowledge all applications due to the large number that we receive and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
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