National Museums Liverpool Chair
Appointing Body: National Museums Liverpool
Department: Department for Culture, Media & Sport
Sectors: Culture, Media & Sport
Location: Liverpool – although the Chair will be required to travel to occasional meetings in other locations across England including London.
Number of Vacancies: 1
Remuneration: The post is not remunerated but reasonable expenses will be paid.
Time Requirements: The role requires approximately 1 to 2 days per month time commitment in addition to chairing 5 board meetings per year.
Closing Date: 31/10/2016 at 12:00
Interviews: Interviews will take place on Monday 12 December in Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool (NML) is the only national museum service in England based wholly outside London. It manages a number of internationally recognised museums and art galleries which, between them, attracted over 2.8 million visitors in 2015/16.
NML’s collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic. Reflecting this, approximately 50% of NML’s visitors come from outside Merseyside
NML is an innovative museum service, and its priority is to manage museums that are both professional and popular, with diverse audiences. It is acutely aware of its social responsibility to deliver a vibrant museum service that is used widely and valued highly.
Liverpool City region as part of its devolution bid have recognised the role that NML plays in the cultural ecology and future of the place. There is a commitment from NML and the City Region to take forward joint aspirations and ambition for the wider heritage agenda as part of NMLs evolving role.
The main venues are:
World Museum (founded 1851, opened 1860/1, known as Liverpool Museum until 2005)
Walker Art Gallery (opened 1877)
Lady Lever Art Gallery (opened 1922)
Sudley House (built early 19th century)
Merseyside Maritime Museum (opened 1980. Also home to Seized!, the national museum of the Border Force)
International Slavery Museum (opened 2007)
Museum of Liverpool (opened 2011)
National Museums Liverpool is an exempt charity by virtue of Schedule 2 to the Charities Act 1993. It receives Grant in Aid from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (18.2m in 2015-16). It generates income from a number of sources, employs over 500 people and operates shops, cafés and conference services through NML Trading Ltd. For more information please visit the NML website – http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/
The main responsibilities of the Chair of the NML are to:
- Provide leadership and focus for the Board, ensuring it meets its financial and statutory obligations; and to maintain a balanced, diverse and supportive Board.
- Work closely with the Director to develop the vision and strategies of NML, and to provide appropriate support to the Executive Team in delivering agreed priorities to appropriate standards, on time and within budget.
- Promote and champion NML, building and strengthening public understanding of its potential, and articulating the need for fresh investment from both public and private sources
- Work with the City Region and Cultural Partnership in particular to lead an ambitious and future facing heritage offer
- Monitor performance and ensure that Government’s expectations are understood and met, that NML achieves its goals and has the professional capacity to support the sector and its stakeholders.
- Oversee and assess the performance of the Director and the Executive Team, attending as necessary to their diversity, recruitment, professional development and remuneration.
- Represent NML’s interest at regional, national and international level (as appropriate) and to work effectively with local and central Government (including Ministers).
Person Specification
- Ability to effectively Chair a board and to think and work strategically
- A commitment to NML’s mission to be the world’s leading example of an inclusive museum service
- A connection with, and passion for, Liverpool and an understanding of the local political context
- Senior level connections and networks and the ability to champion Liverpool’s cultural heritage offer at a local, national and international level
- Ability and willingness to access and influence high level stakeholder and fundraising networks for the benefit of NML
- The ability to engage with senior leadership in business, politics and broader society
- Evidence of achievement in the private, public or third sectors
How to Apply
The process for this public appointment will adhere to the Code of Practice published by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
All candidates must submit a letter of application (of not more than two sides of A4) demonstrating how they meet the requirements for the role, together with a CV, Monitoring Form (Parts 1 and 2), and Declaration of Interests Form. The letter of application should fully address the specific appointment criteria for the role you are applying for, as set out in the person specification.
Saxton Bampfylde is acting as an employment agency advisor to National Museums Liverpool on this appointment. Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/jobs using code EBRF.
Click here and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter, and complete the application and equal opportunities monitoring form.
The closing date for applications is noon on 31st October 2016.
If you are unable to apply through the website, please email belinda.beck@saxbam.com quoting reference EBRF.