Collections & Exhibitions Manager

Guildford; Guildford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local heritage service in Guildford is seeking a Collections and Exhibitions Manager for maternity cover. This role involves managing a collection of over 100,000 objects and overseeing exhibitions across multiple attractions. The successful candidate will need a proactive approach to work and experience in a managerial position. The salary ranges from £42,276 to £49,755 for a fixed-term contract of 10 to 12 months.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing and supporting a small team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the collection of over 100,000 objects.
• Oversee exhibitions and activities programme across four attractions.
• Deliver curated exhibitions, collections care and development, loans in/out.
• Maintain all relevant industry standards.
• Responsible for the relocation of off-site stores in summer 2026.
• Rationalise and dispose of objects according to policies and standards.
• Handle logistics for moving the collection to new stores.
• Directly manage two direct reports.

Skills

Proactive and flexible working style

Ability to work across sites and workstreams

Friendly attitude

Job description

Guildford is a regional centre for leisure, business, education, shopping and culture set in beautiful countryside that includes the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Guildford is a thriving market town and is a principal shopping destination with a vibrant night time economy. The town’s geographical location provides excellent transport links in all directions, London is just 30 minutes away on the train and the town is well-served by frequent bus routes and subsidised Park and Ride facilities. All of this contributes to a quality of life that attracts many people to live, work in and visit Guildford.

About the Role

We’re looking for a confident and experienced Collections and Exhibitions Manager to join our Heritage Service as maternity cover. The role is responsible for our collection of over 100,000 objects and our exhibitions and activities programme across our four attractions; Guildford Museum, Castle, Guildhall and Guildford House.

The successful candidate will be able to work proactively, flexibly and efficiently to support our small team delivering curated exhibitions, collections care and development, loans in/ out whilst maintaining all relevant industry standards.

In addition, the role is responsible for the relocation of our off-site stores which will happen in the summer of 2026. This encompasses rationalisation and disposal of objects according to our own, and industry, policies, processes and standards, as well as all logistics to move the majority of our collection of objects to our new stores.

The Collections and Exhibitions Manager will be directly responsible for two direct reports, and have suitable experience in managing and supporting a small team. Our ideal candidate will have a friendly attitude, the ability to work flexibly across sites and workstreams, and be able to successfully manage our stores relocation, working with council colleagues to do so.

Responsibilities

• Manage the collection of over 100,000 objects.
• Oversee exhibitions and activities programme across four attractions.
• Deliver curated exhibitions, collections care and development, loans in/out.
• Maintain all relevant industry standards.
• Responsible for the relocation of off-site stores in summer 2026.
• Rationalise and dispose of objects according to policies and standards.
• Handle logistics for moving the collection to new stores.
• Directly manage two direct reports.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing and supporting a small team.

Required Skills

• Proactive and flexible working style.
• Ability to work across sites and workstreams.
• Friendly attitude.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in collections management.
• Knowledge of industry standards and practices.

Pay range and compensation package

• 10 to 12 month FTC
• Between £42,27 and £49,755

Closing Date:

12/01/2026

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity and Disability Confident employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and post-holders to share this commitment. To fulfil this commitment we have robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers.