COLLECTIONS AND ENGAGEMENT LEAD

Vacancy Ref: IHL-Wellbeing
Base: Hednesford, Staffordshire
Cannock Chase Salary: £31,651 - 33,504 pro rata
Hours: 30hrs per week until March 31st 2026 with the potential to increase hrs.

ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE LEAD IN BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE?

We’re looking for a focused professional to shape the future of the Cannock Chase Collection—a unique and invaluable heritage asset for the district of Cannock Chase and beyond.
We require an experienced, qualified and motivated individual to help bring the Cannock Chase Collections to life by ensuring its paper-based records are digitised, to inspire the development of its future outreach offer to benefit new and diverse audiences. You’ll be responsible for line managing a small team of staff and volunteers, to achieve a time specific deadline to ensure its public-facing database unlocks access for researchers, curators, and anyone curious to explore our local history from home.
As Collections and Engagement Lead, you’ll be at the forefront of caring, managing, documenting, curating and activating this public collection to national standards. Your work will ensure the collection continues to grow in relevance, reach, and value and engaging community settings, organisations and funders will be key to its success.
You’ll represent the collection on behalf of the local authority, working innovatively, initiating partnership and funding opportunities, securing venues to embed heritage offers within the heart of community life. Whether it’s co-curating exhibitions, developing outreach and educational programmes, or linking history to wellbeing initiatives, your creativity and drive will help history stay meaningful and alive.

ABOUT YOU:

We’re looking for someone qualified and experienced with a passion for heritage and public engagement. You’ll be methodical, strategic, proactive, and equally comfortable in policy planning as you are in working with the community to shape their offers.
Strong project management, great communication, and a commitment to accessibility and inclusion are key and experience of Axiell, Adlib or similar will be highly beneficial.

Essential criteria for this role include:

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (for example History, Social History, Archaeology or History of Art).
• Experience of applying Spectrum standards and managing and caring for collections.
• A current clean driving licence and access to a vehicle.

WHY JOIN US?

You’ll be part of a dedicated and supportive Community Wellbeing Team, who value heritage for health and community development. It’s a chance to make a real difference—ensuring local stories are preserved, celebrated and shared far and wide.

We are looking for great people to join us on our mission and in return we offer a range of staff benefits including:

• Free gym membership
• Staff benefits platform including discount shopping vouchers
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced sick pay
• Pension Scheme
• Organisational maternity and paternity pay
• Birthday Leave

If you would like further information on this role please email careers@ihlmail.org
How to apply – CV with a short statement of why this is contract is for you to careers@ihlmail.org by 5pm on Friday 16th May 2025
Notification for Interview – May 22nd 2025
Interview date – June 3rd / 4th 2025

Experience:

• Spectrum standards and managing and caring for collections: 1 year (required

WE WILL REQUIRE THIS ROLE TO START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary
Contract length: 10 months
Pay: £31,651.00-£33,504.00 per year
Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Gym membership
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Spectrum standards and managing and caring for collections: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)
• degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 16/05/2025
Reference ID: IHL-Wellbein

Essential criteria for this role include:

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (for example History, Social History, Archaeology or History of Art).
• Experience of applying Spectrum standards and managing and caring for collections.
• A current clean driving licence and access to a vehicle