Job Description
Role: CASTLE COLLECTIONS OFFICER
Reports to: Property Manager, Brodick Estate
April 2015
Business: Properties & Visitor Services
Pay Band/Starting Salary: BAND D: £21,750
Location: Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park,
Type of Contract: Permanent / full-time
Isle of Arran, KA27 8HY
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The collection at Brodick Castle is arguably the most important in the National Trust for Scotland’s
care and includes silver, paintings, ceramics and furniture of outstanding quality. These items
were retained by the family at Brodick when the renowned collections of the Dukes of Hamilton
were dispersed in the early twentieth century. Brodick and its contents are thus of great
significance for the history of art and collecting in Scotland. The Castle Collections Officer will be
responsible both for the conservation care of these collections and for helping to interpret them for
staff and for volunteers, who present Brodick to visitors.
This is an exciting time to join the team at Brodick, as a major Signature Project is projected which
will involve a full decant of the collection and subsequent changes to the display. The Castle
Collections Officer will have some involvement in preparing for this project and will gain valuable
experience in the associated collections care and collections management issues.
The main aspects of the role are to:
Ensure that best preventive conservation and housekeeping practices are followed;
Ensure that best practice in collections management is upheld;
Ensure that the security of the collection is maintained;
Lead the interpretation of Brodick Castle & its collections at the property;
Line manage the housekeepers and cleaners;
Support the curating of the collection & the telling of the Brodick story;
Share being on call in case of emergencies;
Contribute as a Key Role in the Management of the Brodick Estate.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Key Purposes of the role will be met by:
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Ensuring that the presentation and care of the collections in the Castle are delivered to the
highest standards of conservation and visitor access and enjoyment expected by the Trust;
Ensuring that the inventory of the collection is maintained and that Collections Management
standards are upheld;
Take responsibility for the castle collection during all works related to the signature project;
Ensuring the security of the collections in general and during works relating to the signature
project;
Facilitating inventory work by NTS staff and research by external scholars;
Organisation of the Housekeepers and cleaners;
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Supporting the interpretation of the Castle & its Collections to the Guides and volunteers
meeting the public;
Being the local spokesperson on the history of the collections;
Working closely alongside the Signature Project and its planning & implementation of the representation of the castle rooms & the display of the collections;
Ensuring that an appropriate collections care regime for the Castle is implemented, including
daily maintenance housekeeping, and more intensive cleaning during the closed season is put
in place;
Monitoring the condition of the collections to ensure that the highest standards of presentation
are maintained at all times. Regularly checking and reporting on the environmental
monitoring data, and liaising with central Collections Conservation Service ;
Assisting with the administration of any remedial conservation of the collection;
Providing direction, practical advice and support as necessary to staff and volunteers
regarding collections care, and increasing their understanding of the collections and of
collections care issues so that they can be communicated effectively to the public through
Room guides & Volunteers;
Undertaking any training or development as deemed necessary to fulfill the duties of the post;
Keeping accurate records of all collections care work;
Managing the day-to-day budget for collections care purchases at the property, including
placing purchase orders;
Managing the routine cleaning and housekeeping of domestic and display areas of the Castle;
Being a Member of the Brodick Management Team.
The current duties of this job do require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be
carried out as administered by Disclosure Scotland.
SCOPE OF ROLE
Financial Management:
 Responsible for managing the collections care and housekeeping budget;
 Supporting the Brodick Signature Project requirements as necessary.
People Management
 Brodick Castle Housekeepers and cleaners report to this role;
 The post holder will in addition, work closely with other property colleagues and will have
significant interaction with the Conservator West based at Greenbank House and other
Collections Conservation Services personnel based at Hermiston Quay together with
Curatorial staff also based at Hermiston Quay. They will also need to work closely with
contractors working on site.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outlines the key skills the job holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition,
either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:
Essential:
 Businesslike approach to the management of heritage assets;
 Genuine enthusiasm for the care and presentation of the nation’s heritage;
 Commitment to best practice in collections management;
 Demonstrable experience of working in a historic environment;
 Experience of interpretation of heritage assets;
 Good communication skills;
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A team player with good self motivation;
Excellent inter-personal and motivational skills;
Ability to multi-task and prioritise work;
Sound demonstrable office/administrative skills, including computer literacy, e-mail,
Microsoft word and excel;
Experience of working with volunteers;
There are physical aspects to this job, which will normally include the use of ladders,
stepladders, working at heights, lifting, fetching and carrying objects.
Desirable
 A relevant formal qualification (e.g. a recognized qualification in Conservation Care or a
qualification in Museum and Gallery Studies, Heritage Management etc.);
 Experience/qualification in collections management;
 Experience and understanding of co-ordinating “Conservation in Action”;
 Experience as a key-holder or similar responsibilities and management of intruder or fire
alarms;
 Experience of Project & event management;
 A formal valid first-aid qualification;
 A current driving license, valid for driving in the UK.
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience &
Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to
amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any
activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general
abilities.
Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources
Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road
Edinburgh EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on
21 April 2015. Interviews are likely to be held at Brodick Castle in early May 2015.