Head of Curators and Library

Museum Catharijneconvent aims to be a place where everyone feels at home and can take the time to appreciate stunning objects and important stories. Every year, we welcome hundreds of thousands of exhibition visitors, schoolchildren, and day-trippers—both inside and outside the museum—and share diverse stories that inspire wonder and contribute to a more understanding society.

Due to the upcoming departure of our colleague, we are seeking a new Head of Curators and Library effective April 1, 2023.

The Curators and Library Department

The Curators and Library Department is responsible for collection policy and the curatorial development of exhibitions. It works closely with other departments of the museum, in interdisciplinary teams, and with external partners. The department develops the collection, conducts object-oriented research, connects it to today’s cultural landscape, and transforms it into a rich resource for exhibition programming. The department keeps the collection alive. It also ensures a balanced and representative library collection.

What are you going to do?

As Head of Curators and Library, you will lead a team of six curators and a librarian, with occasional interns. On a project basis, the team may temporarily be smaller or larger. With creativity and passion, you will further shape the unique profile of Museum Catharijneconvent in terms of content and play a guiding role in the museum’s content policy development. Within that:

• As a member of the management team, you will participate in Supervisory Board meetings and maintain contact with the museum’s key stakeholders;
• You will be responsible for the content development of the exhibition program, working closely with the Head of Presentations and others;
• Are you responsible for the museum’s collection, research, and publication policies and their implementation;
• Are you responsible for the further development of the content for the new collection presentation;
• You maintain a relevant network of national and international museums, heritage institutions, and academic institutions: you promote the importance of our collection both nationally and internationally;
• Do you represent the museum in the media?
• You will contribute to the curatorial team's work.

We ask

As Head of Curators and Library, you possess a demonstrable academic level of work and thinking. You are an effective communicator and an inspiring leader: you enthusiastically serve as a substantive discussion partner and support staff in their professional development. As our ideal candidate:

• Do you have a broad perspective on the social significance of the museum;
• Do you have experience in the museum sector and a vision for the museum’s presentation, collection, and research policies;
• Are you able to enhance the museum’s unique area of expertise;
• Are you able to effectively translate the museum’s mission into a strategic multi-year plan, while also incorporating a digital strategy?
• Do you have a big-picture perspective and are you able to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams;
• Do you possess the following skills: strategic insight, people skills, communication skills, the ability to build connections, situational awareness, and a proactive attitude;
• You have a good command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written.

Museum Catharijneconvent adheres to the Diversity and Inclusion Code and strives to be a museum where everyone feels welcome. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds and with diverse experiences to form a strong team together. We therefore warmly encourage anyone who believes they are qualified for this position based on their knowledge and experience to apply, even if you do not meet all the listed criteria.

We offer

• A committed and professional culture, where openness and caring for one another are important;
• A unique museum in a beautiful location in the heart of Utrecht, with a magnificent collection of art and cultural history and a significant social impact;
• A well-structured and effective management team where initiative and new ideas are valued;
• A one-year employment contract for 32 to 36 hours per week, with the possibility of a permanent position;
• This position is classified in pay scale 13 of the Museum Collective Bargaining Agreement (€4,385 – €6,121), based on a 36-hour workweek. The starting salary will depend on the relevant knowledge and experience you bring to the role;
• 8% vacation pay and 3.4% year-end bonus.

Interested or have questions?

Are you interested in this job opening? If so, we invite you to apply by emailing your resume and cover letter no later than January 15, 2023, to info@catharijneconvent.nl, with the subject line “Application for Head of Curators and Library.”

Do you have any questions? If you have any questions regarding the job description, please feel free to contact Marieke van Schijndel, Director, at info@catharijneconvent.nl. For questions about the application process, please contact Roxanne Soet, HR Advisor, at r.soet@catharijneconvent.nl. The first round of interviews will take place on Friday, January 20, 2023, and the second round on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.