Museums and Archives Manager

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

It’s exciting times at Barnsley - we have a bold vision for Barnsley in 2030 as a place of possibilities. Barnsley Museum’s represents a unique set of assets including Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, the Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Experience Barnsley Museum and Archives and Worsbrough Mill and Country Park. Our award-winning museums have become ever more popular with over 2.5 million people visiting our sites during 2025/6.  

The Borough’s cultural and heritage sector has grown extensively over the last ten years, and it delivers an ambitious and exciting programme – a national quality offer in a local landscape.  Its significant recent achievements include Experience Barnsley being shortlisted for the Art Fund’s Museum of the Year prize in 2021, winning Kids in Museums Best Accessible Family Friendly Museum of the Year in 2022 and 2024, Best Small Museum in 2025 and the Sandford Award for Excellence in Heritage Learning at multiple sites. The museums service is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio organisation and Barnsley is an ACE Priority Place.  

A new opportunity has arisen for a talented and experienced individual to join our team in Barnsley.  

As Museums and Archives Manager you will have responsibility for the operational management of three venues within Barnsley Town Centre. This includes The Cooper Gallery, Experience Barnsley, and the Barnsley Archives Service. 

Working alongside other venue managers, you will manage day‑to‑day operations and lead front-line teams to ensure that our buildings and services are safe, welcoming and accessible to all.  

You will have responsibility for managing the statutory duties of the archives service, ensuring professional standards and accreditation requirements are met. This will focus on the management, access, engagement, digitisation, care and conservation of our archive collections alongside our qualified archives officer. 

We are seeking an individual with substantial experience managing and leading teams preferably across multiple venues or sites. While experience spanning both museums and archives is not essential, candidates should be adaptable, eager to learn, and confident in working across different areas of the sector. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Providing effective leadership and management of front-line staff across our venues 

• Managing the day‑to‑day operation of venues, including staffing, rotas, building checks and compliance 

• Oversee the care, conservation, documentation and development of the archive collections. 

• Ensure compliance with Museum Accreditation and Archive Service Accreditation standards. 

• Develop and deliver archive strategies and action plans to champion access and expand digital engagement 

• Lead cataloguing, collections information and documentation projects. 

• Support the development of archive acquisitions and contemporary collecting initiatives alongside the museum’s Collections and Exhibitions Team 

• Manage budgets, funding bids and externally funded projects. 

• Contribute to service planning, strategic development and continuous improvement across Barnsley Museums. 

• Build strong relationships with internal teams, volunteers, partners and external stakeholders 

You will have significant experience working within a museum and / or archive environment and be confident managing people, services and buildings. You will understand the needs of a diverse range of staff, visitors and users and be committed to creating welcoming, accessible spaces. 

You will also have: 

• Strong people management and leadership skills 

• Knowledge of relevant standards, legislation and best practice 

• Experience of operational and venue management in a public‑facing environment 

• Good communication, problem‑solving and organisational skills 

• Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively 

You’ll be joining a passionate and supportive team, working across a varied and nationally recognised cultural offer. This is an opportunity to make a real impact on how our venues and services are managed, experienced and valued by our communities. 

If you would like to find out more about this unique role, please contact Angela Routledge, Heritage Experience and Operations manager via e-mail: [email removed] 

To achieve your ambitions while shaping a bright future for our communities, apply now at www.barnsley.gov.uk/jobs