JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB DETAILS
Job Holder:
Job Title:
Reports to: Head of Exhibitions
& Programmes
Contemporary Science Manager
Date: 15-02-07
2. JOB PURPOSE
To develop and deliver the intellectual content of all contemporary science programming in
the Science Museum. To lead a team of researchers and content developers ensuring that
all contemporary science programmes are delivered to the highest quality standars on time
and to budget. Delivery will be through Antenna exhibitions, Antenna Live events, Live
Science, web content, DANA events (including broadcast and web cast events) and
Wellcome Wing up-dates.
3. DIMENSIONS
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Staff: 13 staff, plus placement students and secondments. 4 direct reports
Staff budget: TBC
Non staff budget: c. £300,000 (c£50k operational; remainder project-based).
Projects: c. 5 exhibitions, c. 20 displays, c. 120 programmes per year
4. ORGANISATION CHART
Head of
Exhibition
Programmes
Editor
Gallery Content
Manager
Exhibition
Coordinator –
Seconded to
Launch Pad
Exhibition
Coordinator
(Fixed Term)
Admin Assistant
(Shared with Design
& New Media)
Exhibition
Coordinator
(Fixed Term)
Features
Project Leader
Contemporary
Science Manager
Rapids
Project Leader
Rapids
Project Leader
Content Developers x 7
20-25 people on
Secondment from
Curatorial team
Delivers:
•Gallery Upgrades
•Patrons Room
Programme(in ScM)
•Ingenious x 1
Delivers:
•Antenna
•MacRobert
•WW Upgrades
Head of
Arts Programme
(Fixed Term)
Dana Content
Project Leader
Dana Content
Developer x 2
Delivers:
•Dana
Programme
5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
SKILLS:
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Strong journalistic skills to enable the delivery of contemporary science and technology in a
museum environment
Ability to maintain strong editorial control over all contemporary outputs
Broad understanding of the issues and “hot topics” in contemporary science, technology and
medicine
Ability to work with curators to develop contemporary collections
Good staff management skills gained through experience of managing and developing teams
Good interpersonal and communication skills – written and oral for a range of specialist and
non-specialist audiences, both adults and children
Delivery of audience-focused communication projects
An ability to work effectively through periods of change and manage a dynamic environment
with a variety of different outputs
Strong organisational and project management skills gained through the successful delivery
of large, high-profile exhibitions/galleries or equivalent communication forms
ABLE TO:
 Deliver contemporary science-based cultural products including dialogue and issues-based
content
 Deliver object rich exhibitions with a contemporary agenda
 Write successful funding proposals for exhibitions, broadcast projects and interactive media
projects; liaise with sponsors and support the sponsorship process
 Plan, produce and present internal strategy documents for contemporary science gallery upgrades and developments
 Develop and present proposals for broadening the audience of the cultural products
 Lead, motivate and develop staff to ensure a cohesive, skilled and focused team that is able
to deliver a wide range of cultural outputs
 Manage a budget and allocate appropriate resources
 Represent the Museum in the wider museum and science community and the science
communication field
EXPERIENCE:
 Demonstrable experience of managing dynamic team environments together with proven
experience of developing innovative contemporary science content through exhibitions,
events, broadcasts or web products.
 An excellent track record in delivering contemporary science content across different media
platforms in either a museum environment or a related journalism field.
 Demonstrable experience of working with sponsors and external funders and managing the
sponsor liaison relationships
KNOWLEDGE:
 Knowledge of communication strategies and techniques
 Knowledge of museum audiences
 Knowledge of contemporary science and technology, and science news
 Knowledge of the mass media and journalistic techniques, and how this relates to
communication within the museum environment
 Knowledge of dialogue and issues-based products
 Knowledge of the science communication field in the UK
6. KEY RESULT AREAS
To direct and motivate a team of 13 staff to deliver the Science Museum’s contemporary
cultural products to time, budget and quality, in accordance with the Corporate Plan.
To provide the editorial lead for Antenna, Dana and all contemporary science gallery
products, to ensure cutting-edge, visitor-focussed content is presented to improve visitor
experience and inspire repeat visits.
To provide inspiring, innovative proposals for contemporary science products, to raise
sponsorship for contemporary science initiatives across the museum in association with
colleagues from Development Unit.
To lead the team to innovate and experiment with new media and communication
styles for Antenna and Dana products, to build the Museum’s reputation for trialling
bold, novel communication techniques.
To ensure that the creation, design and writing of material for all physical and
electronic media and distribution channels is directed and delivered consistent with
Science Museum policies, standards and procedures.
To work with the Learning Unit and the Visitor Research unit, to seek to improve
cultural products, diversify audiences and provide relevant, audience-focussed
content.
To work with the Press and Marketing team to increase media profile of the
contemporary science content, particularly building the brands of Antenna and Dana.
To represent the Museum at meetings and conferences as required, raising the
profile of Antenna, Dana and the contemporary science initiatives in the wider field of
science engagement.
7. COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
(Detail the key working contacts within and outside the organisation, indicating the
purpose of the contact.)
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Head of Exhibitions & Programmes – line manager
Director of Science Museum – masterplanning/creative offer
Head of Content – masterplanning/creative offer
Head of Creative Direction – design resource
Head of New Media – resource for multimedia and broadcast projects
NMSI Head of Learning – learning/audience research input to creative products
Development Unit – funding proposals, liaison and negotiation
Visitor Research Unit – audience advocacy and evaluation
Workshops manager – scheduling exhibition works
Conservation manager – scheduling exhibition works
Health & Safety Unit – H&S procedures
Security Unit – security procedures
Press and marketing Unit – increasing profile of creative products
Academics/Research groups/Experts
Sponsors/funders
Science Engagement community
8. SCOPE FOR IMPACT
(Give some examples of the work that illustrate in more detail the impact of the key
result areas, within and outside the organisation, together with the complexities and
other significant aspects of the job.)
Development and implementation of:
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exhibitions, programmes and content that support the delivery of the Corporate Plan and
the Science Museum creative offer
the Museum’s reputation for contemporary science content that is authoritative and
audience-focussed
the Museum’s reputation for trialling bold, risk-taking, novel approaches to
communication
a body of staff who are trained in all forms of communication and deliver high quality
products
Increasing:
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the external activities and exhibitions relating to Antenna and Dana, raising the profile of
the Science Museum and its contemporary science outputs
public engagement with contemporary science and facilitating dialogue in new ways
the Museum’s press and PR opportunities and generating awareness of the Science
Museum to an external audience, particularly in the field of contemporary science
9. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Date:
Job Holder's Signature
Date:
Manager's Signature