Head of Interpretation and Collections

Location: Dudley 
Pay rate: £51,163 per annum
Contact: Permanent, Full-time
Hours: 37 hours per week, between 8.00am – 6.00pm (Monday – Friday with occasional weekends and evenings)

Black Country Living Museum is seeking a new Head of Interpretation and Collections to lead our Interpretation and Collections teams. This is an exciting opportunity to drive the development of inclusive, creative, and audience-focused interpretation while overseeing the care and accessibility of our collections.

Our collections and stories are at the heart of everything we do. The successful candidate will lead the development of engaging and historically authentic interpretation, ensuring our heritage is brought to life through compelling storytelling, collections, costume and display. You will play a key role in enhancing the visitor experience and increasing access to our designated collection for a wide range of audiences.

What will you be doing?

Leading cross-departmental teams to deliver inclusive and participatory interpretation interventions that support collections access.
Developing sustainable solutions for collections care and costume development. 
Developing a strategic approach to the Museum's collecting policy to inform acquisitions, disposals, site developments and public programmes. 
Leading on the development of a new interpretation strategy with audiences, inclusivity and access at its core.
Delivering high-quality, inclusive and historically accurate research and content for interpretation projects and programmes including living interpretation, publications, exhibitions, formal and informal learning, online content, and events.

What are we looking for? 

Experience of delivering interpretation and collections care in a physical environment.
Substantial experience of developing interpretative content for target audiences, utilising creative and inclusive approaches to storytelling.
A collaborative work ethic and ability to influence and negotiate with people.
Experience of successfully managing and developing external relationships and partnership-working.
People management experience.
A creative and pragmatic thinker.

What can you expect?

Unique Working environment.
Opportunity to learn new skills.
Competitive rewards & benefits.
Supportive & inclusive work culture.
Positive attitude to work-life balance.
Who are we? 

We are an award-winning 29-acre open-air museum, celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2028. We champion the Black Country, celebrate its people and communities and share our distinctive heritage, creating pride today and possibility for the future.

Black Country Living Museum tells the story of one of Britain’s most influential regions through immersive experiences, historic buildings and a vibrant programme of events.

As VisitEngland’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, the Museum continues to grow its reach and ambition — championing the Black Country, celebrating its people and communities, and sharing the region’s distinctive heritage with new audiences.

What are you waiting for? Begin your Black Country Journey now and apply using your most up-to-date CV. 

BCLM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment that celebrates the richness of the human experience. We are dedicated to eliminating bias and discrimination at every stage and encourage applicants to get in touch should they require reasonable adjustments during the interview process. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups and believe in providing equal opportunities for all qualified candidates. 

Our commitment to safeguarding includes implementing robust safer recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of individuals applying for roles that involve work with children and adults who may be at risk of harm.

Closing date: 19 August 2026

Interviews are expected to take place within 7 days of the closing date, adjustments will be made should successful candidates be unable to attend.  

As we say in the Black Country, tara-a-bit!

You may have experience of the following: Head of Collections, Head of Interpretation, Museum Collections Manager, Head of Curatorial, Curatorial Manager, Head of Visitor Experience, Interpretation Manager, Head of Heritage Programmes, Collections and Engagement Manager, Head of Museum Programmes

REF-(Apply online only)