About the role
The Museum Data Service (MDS) is an innovative new digital infrastructure that aims to make the millions of object records held by UK museums available as FAIR data for research and countless other uses. Currently, over six million object records from over 150 accredited museums can be searched on the MDS site.
The University of Leicester has secured grant funding from the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council to run and develop the service from April 2025 to March 2028, on behalf of the MDS charitable company established in June 2024, in partnership with Art UK and Collections Trust.
The Head of Service will lead the strategic transition of MDS from start-up to an established and indispensable part of AHRC’s digital infrastructure ecosystem (iDAH), laying the foundations for the long-term sustainability of the service.The post is funded through the substantial investment through the iDAH programme of the AHRC, and forms part of a wider body of work to develop the Museum Data Service over this next funding cycle, to March 2028.
The resources available to the Head of Service will support: the ongoing management and delivery of the routine and responsive technical tasks needed for seamless continuity of service; engagement with the research community to support research projects that can seek to use the MDS; involvement of the wider MDS network in user testing; museum sector networking and advocacy; and onboarding new museums to the MDS.The Head of Service can be based remotely, and is affiliated to the university’s Institute for Digital Culture. The Institute pursues purposeful inter-disciplinary research with the culture sector globally as it adapts to a digital world.
About you
You will bring proven leadership experience from the cultural, heritage, or information management sectors, with a strong track record in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and service development. Your understanding of FAIR data principles and large-scale data initiatives will be essential, as will your ability to foster collaboration across diverse communities. Experience in financial oversight, governance, and advocacy will support your success in this high-profile role.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about digital transformation in the heritage sector and who thrives in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment. You will be an excellent communicator, confident in representing MDS at national and international forums, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. At Leicester, we believe in inspiring individuals to succeed and generating ideas that deliver real-world impact—qualities we hope you’ll bring to this exciting leadership opportunity.