One of the largest and most important art collections in the world, The Royal Collection runs to more than a million objects, including 8000 paintings and 3000 miniatures. Spread among fifteen Royal residences and former residences across the UK, displayed at exhibitions at The King’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh and via loans, it is unique in both scale and variety.

As an Assistant Curator, you will work with a world-class collection of European paintings and support the team with a wide range of curatorial activities to ensure the collection is presented to the highest of standards and enjoyed by thousands of visitors.

Key Responsibilities

• You will undertake research into the paintings and assist with their interpretation through a range of channels, including delivering talks and tours that aim to engage with the broadest audience possible
• Ensuring online painting records are accurate and up to date, you will be involved in the cataloguing of material, helping to share this magnificent collection widely
• You will play a key part in planning picture moves across a variety of Royal residences, administering a digital database of paintings substitutes to help deliver the active loans and exhibitions program
• You will contribute to the delivery of upcoming exhibitions and the development of new exhibition ideas
• While providing vital support to the paintings curatorial team, you will also liaise with other teams across Royal Collection Trust on activities relating to redisplays and projects

Essential Criteria

• With a broad understanding of art history, you will bring a specialist knowledge in a key area of Royal Collection Trust’s paintings holdings
• You will bring relevant curatorial experience of working with a collection in a museum, art gallery or historic house
• You are confident preparing talks, presentations and displays, and you will be eager to share your knowledge with varied audiences
• With previous project experience and strong administration skills, you will 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 will enjoy collaborating effectively with team members and colleagues
• You will also have an understanding of conservation issues and the challenges of working with historic interiors
• As a natural organizer with lots of initiative, you will have strong IT skills and your attention to detail will be second to none
• Above all, you are eager to immerse yourself in the unique learning opportunities that the Collection presents

The Offer

• The Royal Household offers a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities
• A fixed term contract (July 2025 – July 2026) with a salary band of £30,000 per annum for 37.5 hours per week, 5 days per week (Monday to Friday)
• Enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days pro rata (plus bank holidays) dependent on the length of time you have worked for them
• Flexible and hybrid working varies across different roles, and they will discuss the options available to you that will suit both your job requirements and individual preferences
• A non-contributory pension plan (they will contribute 15% and you can contribute more if you wish) and a complimentary lunch on-site to keep you fueled throughout the day
• 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 the Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all their locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts

Applications can be submitted via The Royal Household website until 23:55 on 20 April 2025.