Job profile

Salary: £42,480 - £49,965 per annum 

We are looking for a Curator to join a team of archivists, a conservator and collections specialists in the BFI’s Special Collections team, working with one of the world’s most significant collections of photography and designs (posters, costume, production, animation), filmmakers’ paper archives, and special collections (scripts, pressbooks).    

Key responsibilities include: 

• Work on a full range of collections interpretation and engagement activities, including talks, research, exhibitions, publications and events. Interpret and communicate the collections in a way that sparks imagination, encourages participation and grows research and learning potential  

• Work with colleagues in conservation and collections care to ensure the care needs of the collections are met. Support team members in their preservation activities, and to contribute to stores planning  

• Nurture relationships with contemporary makers and donors, and keep up to date with emergent screen craft fields. Inform a focused, responsive and sustainable collecting and disposal plan for the future. Fully contribute to acquisition, loan and disposal activities  

• With support from the Assistant Curator, manage key access strands to Special Collections, endeavouring to make materials available to a broad range of audiences. 

We are looking for candidates who have: 

• At least 3 years collections-based experience, or equivalent, within an archive, museum, gallery or library setting  

• Research active in one or more screen arts areas (for example, photography, graphic arts, design, screenwriting), with a publication record in a related discipline and an enthusiasm for a range of historic and contemporary British film and TV  

• Demonstrable experience of working in a socially engaged way with artists, makers or communities   

• Significant experience of co-generating and delivering new interpretive strategies, with the ability to think and write creatively for audiences (e.g.  exhibitions and publications)   

A full list of responsibilities and minimum requirements can be found in the job description to the left.

About the BFI  

We are a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. We believe society needs stories. Film, television and the moving image bring them to life, helping us connect and understand each other better. We share the stories of yesterday, search for the stories of today, and shape the stories of tomorrow. 

At the BFI you’ll enjoy benefits such as excellent support for working parents, 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and additional paid time off at Christmas), tickets to BFI festivals and events plus many others.  

We support diversity and inclusion, and as an organisation recognise that we need to address under representation within our teams. As such we strongly welcome and encourage applicants from our under-represented groups; who identify as D/deaf and disabled and/or are Black and Global Majority. We guarantee a first interview to our under-represented groups who meet our minimum requirements.  

Further details about the role, the BFI and our benefits can be obtained by visiting www.bfi.org.uk/about-bfi/job-opportunities. 

Depending on the volume of applications, you may be asked to complete a small task or attend a pre-interview screening call to further to assist the hiring team in shortlisting for this role. In this instance, interview dates may be subject to change.  

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Monday 17 March 2025  

First interviews will be held on Thursday 27 or Friday 28 March 2025  

Second interviews will be held on w/c 31 March 2025