Job Description
Background
University of Edinburgh Museums Services encompasses St Cecilia’s Hall Concert Room and Music Museum, the Main Library Exhibition Gallery and the Anatomical Museum, in addition to a range of other services such as collection loans, outreach and education programmes.
St Cecilia’s Hall and Music Museum re-opened in May 2017, after a £6.5million redevelopment project with the vision to restore, renovate and make accessible Scotland’s oldest concert hall and its world-class collection of instruments. St Cecilia’s Hall is the centre of excellence for the display, study, performance and enjoyment of historical instruments in Scotland.
With improved access and facilities, longer opening hours and increased awareness through promotion and marketing, we intend to expand our user base and increase programmed activities.
The George Square Gallery, at the Main Library, offers students, local communities and visitors to the city a changing programme of 3 exhibitions per year, and accompanying talks and events, with the key exhibition being the Festival exhibition that runs from end of July to end of October. The 2017 festival exhibition was Highlands to Hindustan and the 2018 Festival exhibition will work around the theme of Space.
The Anatomical Museum opens its doors on the last Saturday of every month and also has a programme of talks and events at other times in the year. The Anatomical Museum celebrates a fascinating range of objects, including the skeleton of notorious murderer, William Burke.
As a Museums Service we aim:
- To make our collections and venues accessible to as wide a range of people as possible
- To safeguard and expand the University’s museums and special collections for future generations.
- To pro-actively research and listen to the expectations, needs and aspirations of our local communities, visitors, staff, volunteers and other key stakeholders to provide a flexible and responsive service.
- To provide quality events, exhibitions and experiences that both engage and benefit a diverse range of visitors, audiences, clients and stakeholders.
- To excel in our visitor experience and customer services making individuals feel welcome and valued and happy to recommend us to others and keen to return themselves.
Purpose of the role:
To support the Museums Services Manager with the implementation of the Service Marketing Plan. Marketing (both online and offline) events, exhibitions, opportunities and the venues themselves across the University of Edinburgh’s Museums Services.
Key tasks of the volunteer will include:
– Implementation of marketing research activities (desk based and surveying of visitors)
– Supporting the Museums Services Manager at relevant promotional events.
– Supporting the development & design of various promotional materials
– Developing content for the various Museum venue social media accounts
– Assisting with research of target audiences and best methods of communication.
Person Specification:
– Minimum 18 years of age
– Strong written communication skills
– Creativity and flare for capturing the imagination and interest of public.
– Reliability and good timekeeping
– Interest in heritage, culture and the arts
– Ability to work unsupervised
Level of Commitment:
The equivalent of 2 days per month (14 hours)
Supervision and Support:
Marketing volunteers will be directly supervised and supported by the Museums Services Manager, Ruthanne, who has over 17 years marketing experience in the arts and heritage sectors.
Once appointed, the Marketing Volunteers will be given a full induction session and on-going training and support.
Volunteer Benefits:
Volunteering with the UoE Museums Services is a great opportunity to develop team- work and front of house and operational management skills, in addition to enhancing communication and customer service skills. Our volunteers are included in notification of training events relating to the roles they are supporting for the work of the Museums Services.
It should be noted that the Museums Service intends to submit entries to a variety of high profile heritage, events, volunteer and tourism sector awards during 2019, with the ambition of becoming a multi-award winning service.
As an acknowledgement and thank you for the valuable work that our volunteers provide the Museums Service hosts three social events / activities per year and receive invitations to preview and launch events.
In addition volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy heritage venue exchange visits.
Complimentary beverages and biscuits are available when working on-site.
Health & Safety / Equalities:
As a University of Edinburgh service all volunteers will be treated in accordance with the University’s Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities Policies.
If you are interested in more information or discussion this opportunity please contact Ruthanne Baxter, Museums Manager, Ruthanne.Baxter@ed.ac.uk / 0131 650 2414
