NH
Head Curator, Invertebrates
- Hiring from
- United Kingdom
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Posted
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About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About The Role
As we embark on an ambitious programme of transformation, including the development of a new research facility, major digitisation initiatives and the NHM150 programme, we are seeking an exceptional leader to shape the future of our Invertebrates collections. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the largest and most scientifically significant collections globally.
As Head Curator, Invertebrates, you will bring together living and fossil collections into a single, integrated curatorial vision. You will lead a talented team of curators and collection specialists, champion collections-based research, and ensure collections continue to support world-leading science, digitisation, public engagement and policy.
Working closely with the Director of Collections and fellow Head Curators across other taxonomic areas, you will play a key leadership role as the Museum undergoes significant organisational and collections transformation, helping ensure collections remain at the heart of addressing the planetary emergency.
About You
We're looking for an accomplished collections leader with a strong track record of managing and developing scientific or curatorial teams. You'll bring credibility and expertise in collections-based science, together with the ability to set a clear strategic direction and inspire others around a shared vision for the future of the collections. You will be committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment where people can do their best work and where specialist expertise is valued and nurtured.
As a senior leader, you'll be comfortable working across organisational boundaries, building strong relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, and influencing at all levels. You'll combine strategic thinking with a practical approach to delivery, balancing the long-term stewardship of globally important collections with the opportunities created by digitisation, research, public engagement and innovation.
The Museum is undertaking several ambitious programmes, including major investments in research infrastructure, collections digitisation and organisational development. You'll therefore have experience of leading teams through periods of change, helping people adapt while maintaining focus on scientific excellence, operational effectiveness and the Museum's wider mission.
Expertise in invertebrate collections is important, and we're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate excellent leadership, sound judgement and the ability to bring people together to deliver ambitious outcomes.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
Find out more here
What We Offer
We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first-hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.
Please note: from 2031 our Invertebrate collections will be stored at our new collections and research facility at Thames Valley Science Park. As such this post will be primarily based at TVSP in the longer term, with an expectation of cross-site working and regular presence in South Kensington as needed.
How To Apply
If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job.
Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double-check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently.
Closing date: 23:59 on 13 December 2026
First stage interviews expected: w/c 14 December
Please note that this role qualifies for Museum sponsorship. Whilst we would still expect the successful postholder to have valid right to work in the UK at the point of starting the role, the Museum can support in obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role to apply for future or continued right to work in the UK. Please contact our Recruitment Team at hrteam@nhm.ac.uk if you have any further queries regarding this.
Use of AI in recruitment
If you are using AI as part of a recruitment process for a role at the Natural History Museum, it is essential you familiarise yourself with our guidance. Inappropriate use of AI may result in your application being declined.
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About The Role
As we embark on an ambitious programme of transformation, including the development of a new research facility, major digitisation initiatives and the NHM150 programme, we are seeking an exceptional leader to shape the future of our Invertebrates collections. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the largest and most scientifically significant collections globally.
As Head Curator, Invertebrates, you will bring together living and fossil collections into a single, integrated curatorial vision. You will lead a talented team of curators and collection specialists, champion collections-based research, and ensure collections continue to support world-leading science, digitisation, public engagement and policy.
Working closely with the Director of Collections and fellow Head Curators across other taxonomic areas, you will play a key leadership role as the Museum undergoes significant organisational and collections transformation, helping ensure collections remain at the heart of addressing the planetary emergency.
About You
We're looking for an accomplished collections leader with a strong track record of managing and developing scientific or curatorial teams. You'll bring credibility and expertise in collections-based science, together with the ability to set a clear strategic direction and inspire others around a shared vision for the future of the collections. You will be committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment where people can do their best work and where specialist expertise is valued and nurtured.
As a senior leader, you'll be comfortable working across organisational boundaries, building strong relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, and influencing at all levels. You'll combine strategic thinking with a practical approach to delivery, balancing the long-term stewardship of globally important collections with the opportunities created by digitisation, research, public engagement and innovation.
The Museum is undertaking several ambitious programmes, including major investments in research infrastructure, collections digitisation and organisational development. You'll therefore have experience of leading teams through periods of change, helping people adapt while maintaining focus on scientific excellence, operational effectiveness and the Museum's wider mission.
Expertise in invertebrate collections is important, and we're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate excellent leadership, sound judgement and the ability to bring people together to deliver ambitious outcomes.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
Find out more here
What We Offer
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first-hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.
Please note: from 2031 our Invertebrate collections will be stored at our new collections and research facility at Thames Valley Science Park. As such this post will be primarily based at TVSP in the longer term, with an expectation of cross-site working and regular presence in South Kensington as needed.
How To Apply
If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job.
Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double-check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently.
Closing date: 23:59 on 13 December 2026
First stage interviews expected: w/c 14 December
Please note that this role qualifies for Museum sponsorship. Whilst we would still expect the successful postholder to have valid right to work in the UK at the point of starting the role, the Museum can support in obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role to apply for future or continued right to work in the UK. Please contact our Recruitment Team at hrteam@nhm.ac.uk if you have any further queries regarding this.
Use of AI in recruitment
If you are using AI as part of a recruitment process for a role at the Natural History Museum, it is essential you familiarise yourself with our guidance. Inappropriate use of AI may result in your application being declined.
