Head of Cultural Property - Domestic Policy

About the job Job summary

The Cultural Property team works to tell our national story by unlocking the power of the country’s cultural property. We make this possible with dynamic, innovative schemes to allow more of our country’s treasures to be shared with the public.

The team oversees domestic and international cultural property policy, including how statutory functions enable UK museums and galleries to acquire and exhibit cultural property – including the Bayeux Tapestry – for public benefit, drive manifesto priority Arts Everywhere, and support the Hodge Review of ACE. We also lead on crime and the illicit trade in cultural property, respond to claims for the restitution of cultural property in UK museums including the Parthenon Sculptures, and have responsibility for the government’s relations with the UK art market.

We work closely with the museums side of the team who manage the relationship with the 15 DCMS-sponsored museums and cover policy and schemes that impact museums and collections of all sizes across the country, including funding and sector resilience.

We are part of the friendly and engaged Culture directorate of around 80 colleagues that also includes the Arts, Creative Places and Libraries teams and a dedicated analysis team.

Protecting cultural property across the UK for public benefit. As the strategic and operational lead on policies to protect and promote the UK’s cultural property, you will work closely with the Arts Council England on statutory schemes:

• Export licensing for cultural objects and deferral of national treasures via public body the RCEWA
• Government Indemnity Scheme
• Cultural Gift Scheme and Acceptance in Lieu
• Immunity from Seizure

You will also oversee sponsorship of the UK art market:

• Advocacy of the sector across Government: significance, contribution to soft power and relevance to the Industrial Strategy / Creative Industries Sector Plan
• Analysis and evaluation of the sector

You will lead a team of four: 2 SEOs, 1 HEO, 1 EO as well as matrix work across all museum and cultural property policy areas.

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates:

Essential requirements:

• Making effective decisions: you will demonstrate high levels of independent judgement in identifying options, often with narrow margins and to short time frames. You are comfortable making decisions based on often incomplete or contradictory data. You have experience setting the team’s strategic direction and can provide authoritative advice/guidance on complex issues whilst quality assuring the work of the team.
• Seeing the big picture: you are able to pick up and communicate complex policy issues quickly, understanding the wider economic, social and political strategic drivers for your area of work. You ensure your work reflects the strategic priorities of DCMS and Government.
• Communicating and influencing: you contribute significantly to decisions taken by leaders. You have a proven track record of senior external stakeholder engagement and management skills and can communicate in a clear and honest way. You can deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity and remain objective, respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others.
• Leadership: an experienced line manager, you promote an inclusive culture, welcoming views and challenges from others whilst standing by your team and actively developing your direct reports.

Desirable skills:

• Knowledge of museums and cultural property.
• Knowledge of the domestic and international art market.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership