Role overview

Director of Culture, Collections and Public Engagement, University of Birmingham. The Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the University’s cultural and public engagement initiatives, supporting the University’s Strategic Framework 2030 and the ambition to be a global top 50 university and exemplary civic university.This role requires a visionary leader with a deep passion for culture, collections, education, research and community and public engagement. You will bring teams together around a shared mission, encouraging innovation and creativity in public and cultural engagement. Working in partnership across the University and the city, you will ensure that public and cultural engagement is integrated into research, student experience, and civic and global activities, capitalising on the University’s cultural assets and research to raise its global profile and reputation.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Work with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Arts and Law and key stakeholders to implement the University’s Public and Cultural Engagement Strategy (launched February 2025).Develop and implement long-term strategies to leverage world-class cultural assets in a coordinated way to contribute to the global top 50 ambition and the 2030 Strategic Framework.Leadership and Management: Act as a champion and role model for the Public and Cultural Engagement Strategy and provide leadership and line management for the Public and Cultural Engagement team, encouraging continuous learning and high performance with a focus on audience and outcomes.Integration and Operational Alignment: Collaborate with Heads of cultural attractions to share resources and services while maintaining specialist skills where required.Lead the University Museums Performances and Collections group to align cultural assets around shared agendas.Programming and Audience Development: Set the direction for a cohesive programming approach across the University, ensuring alignment to University Strategy with effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting.Lead on the delivery of an annual programme of public engagement and exhibitions.

Person Specification

Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably with an additional professional qualification.Experience at a leadership level in museums, cultural organisations or public engagement; outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to influence at senior levels with a positive and empowering approach.Experience of developing long-term strategies and delivering a vision for public and cultural engagement across the University through thought leadership and a partnership approach.Track record of delivering large-scale, innovative public engagement programmes appealing to a broad range of audiences.

Informal enquiries can be made to Rhiannon Robinson at r.m.robinson@bham.ac.uk.

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment.

This role is listed for Guardian Jobs; the description is provided for applicants to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the position.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are open to discussions around flexible working arrangements.

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