Assistant Curator of Photographs

It's learning something new while surrounded by a truly unique photograph collection.

It’s working as one to deliver impressive projects. And it’s the satisfaction of presenting and sharing one of the world’s largest art collections. This is what makes working for Royal Collection Trust so different.

One of the largest and most important art collections in the world, The Royal Collection is unique in both scale and variety.

As an Assistant Curator of Photographs, you'll work with a world-class collection of over half a million photographs dating from the early 1840s to the present day, supporting the team with a wide range of curatorial activities to ensure our collection is presented to the highest of standards and enjoyed by everyone.

Key Responsibilities:

• You’ll undertake research into the Photograph Collection and assist with its interpretation through a range of channels, including delivering talks and tours that aim to engage with the broadest audience possible.
• Ensuring online records are accurate and up to date, you'll be involved in the cataloguing of material, helping us share this magnificent collection widely.
• You'll contribute to the delivery of upcoming exhibitions and the development of new exhibition ideas.
• You'll play a key part in planning moves of photographs across a variety of sites to help deliver our active loans and exhibitions programme.
• While providing vital support to the photographs curatorial team, you'll also liaise with other teams across Royal Collection Trust on activities relating to displays and projects.

• With a broad understanding of art history, you’ll bring a specialist knowledge of the history of photography, ideally in a key area relating to our Photograph Collection.
• You’ll also bring relevant curatorial experience of working with a collection in a museum, art gallery or historic house.
• You'll have a good knowledge of photographic processes and understanding of conservation issues regarding photographic material of all ages.
• A natural organiser with previous project experience, along with strong admin and IT skills, you'll be able to plan and deliver projects alongside a daily workload and tight deadlines.
• An effective communicator, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, you'll enjoy collaborating effectively with team members and colleagues, including on content for social media.
• You're also confident preparing talks, presentations and displays, able to translate and share your knowledge with varied audiences.
• Your attention to detail is second to none and you can be relied upon to deliver the highest standard of care and curation of items.
• Above all, you're eager to immerse yourself in the unique learning opportunities that the Collection presents.

Please note: We have 2 vacancies available, one permanent and one 9 month maternity cover. Although we will be considering your application for both opportunities, please specify when applying which vacancy you would have a preference for.

We know that to deliver our best work; we need to feel at our best. That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities. 

• Enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days (plus bank holidays) dependent on the length of time you have worked for us.
• Our excellent non-contributory pension plan (we’ll contribute 15% and you can contribute more if you wish) is highly valued by our employees, as is complimentary lunch on-site to keep you fuelled throughout the day.
• Flexible and hybrid working varies across different roles, and we’ll discuss the options available to you that will suit both your job requirements and individual preferences.
• We also offer a range of leave options to support your life priorities, such as parental pay and leave and volunteering days, as well as benefits to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Other perks include 20% off at our Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all our locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts.

Find out more about the full range of benefits available to our employees here.