NHM - Head of Masterplanning & Projects

HEAD OF MASTERPLANNING AND PROJECTS

INTRODUCTION

The Natural History Museum – with its vast collection and pioneering research programme – is one of world’s great museums and in a world facing global environmental challenges, it is powerfully placed to engage audiences with the science they need to know and the decisions we need to make. The Museum’s principal purpose is to challenge the way that people think about the natural world – its past, present and future – and this is embedded in the Museum’s big narratives – Origins and evolution, Diversity of Life, and Sustainable futures – which trace a path from the origins of the solar system to the uncertainties of the future, taking in along the way a compelling vista of our planets natural richness. To deliver this purpose the Museum launched a new strategy in early 2015 setting out a five year journey that lays the foundation for two further decades of development. This will transform how the Museum creates scientific knowledge and shares the benefits of scientific research, how the collections are developed and curated for the benefit of future generations and how engaging with science becomes a part of everyone’s lives and integral to the nation’s culture. Underpinning the delivery of the strategy, a Masterplan is being developed and implemented, building on the major achievement of the Darwin Centre, which fundamentally changed how the visiting public engage with the collection and scientific research that had previously been somewhat invisible to the general public. The Masterplan centres around four major refurbishment projects: the Grounds Transformation Project, the Hintze Hall, a new Earth and Planetary Sciences Centre, and opening up the Waterhouse Link Corridor. In addition, a long-term solution for collections storage, supplemented by public access and engagement, is being sought, which may partially take the form of offsite storage. Over three distinct phases, these projects along with several supporting projects, will lay the groundwork for further Museum developments, in particular gallery refurbishments, culminating in a revitalised and workable estate for the Museum. The Museum is seeking to make the key appointment to the post of Head of Masterplanning and Projects to lead the development and implementation of the Masterplan.

Our Vision The Museum’s purpose is to challenge the way people think about the natural world – its past, present and future. We aim to stimulate public debate about humanity’s future and equip our audiences at every level with an understanding of science. That purpose has never been more important or more urgent. Species and ecosystems are being destroyed faster than we can describe them or understand their significance. The very resources on which modern society relies are under threat.

We will use the unique combination of our collection, expertise and public reach to engage people with three big narratives that together underpin an understanding of the natural world an our place in it: Origins and evolution The 4.5 billion year history of our solar system, the Earth and life. Diversity of life Today’s natural diversity across species, habitats and ecosystems Sustainable futures The future of the natural systems on which our society depends

Our Present We provide access to one of themmost important natural history collections in the world. Documenting 4.5 billion years of the solar system and life on Earth, the collection contains more than one million ‘type’ specimens that are used to define species – more than any other natural history collection in the world. We are also home to an extensive library of written and illustrative natural history materials and the collection continues to grow, most recently with the new molecular and digital holdings. The collection’s continuing development along with its unique historical, geographical and taxonomic extent, makes it an immensely powerful took to explore the science of nature. The world’s scientific community draws extensively on the NHM and its expertise. As we enter a new age of scientific discovery, our collection and research are playing an increasingly important role in making new discoveries and testing new theories. Together with the universities, research institutes and museums around the world, we are bringing scientific disciplines together to discover new biological and mineral species, highlight the impact of climate change on natural systems that support life, combat the loss of biodiversity and the spread of diseases, explore new sources of scarce minerals and reveal the evolution of our own and other species. We lead the world in examining the natural world and, with our research partners tackle questions of fundamental importance to science and society. We also provide outstanding education, training and learning opportunities. We host school groups from across the UK and develop teaching and learning materials and experiences to support the national curriculum. At more advanced levels, we train postgraduate students, deliver a wide range of specialist training courses, and play a lead role in major European training programmes. Our diverse and accessible public programmes also successfully engage families and adult learners.

Overall, the NHM inspires people about the natural world across generations and across the globe. Over five million people visit us in London and Tring, Hertfordshire each year. We reach millions more around the world through our touring exhibitions, websites, apps and social media. Through our programme of exhibitions and events, we act as a forum for debate on contemporary challenges to society and the natural world and we pioneer new ways to engage people with the nature, history and science.

THE ESTATE AND THE MASTERPLAN The South Kensington estate that we see today is an amalgamation of ideas and approaches (and sometimes compromises) between architect, manager and scientist. The result was a labour of love for all concerned; the constraints conferred upon the modern Museum by its founders are the accompaniments to a visionary, (if occasionally idiosyncratic) architectural endeavour. Alfred Waterhouse designed in a style that gives the building a monumental feel – indeed the new-Romanesque features and layout prompted many references to a ‘Cathedral of Natural History’. The site today includes a number of late additions to Alfred Waterhouse’s original building of 1873 – 1881. The Masterplan takes a site-wide perspective in its ongoing plan with a view to enhancing the cohesiveness of the site. The significant later additions, such as the Whale Hall (1929 – 1932), the Geological Museum (1929 – 1935) and the more recent Palaeontology building (1973 – 1976) and Darwin Centre (Phase 1 1997 – 2001; Phase 2 2001 – 2010) are predominantly self-contained facilities, connected as extensions to the original building. Waterhouse’s grid-like planning system continues to exert a strong influence on the movement of visitors and arrangement of the collection. Despite the underlying elegance of the main building, and the heritage significance of many of the later additions, the modern day visitor can find it difficult to use the whole Museum and many part are alternately crowded or empty. The next 25 years will witness the transformation of our South Kensington building, At each stage of the transformation we will improve the fabric and infrastructure of our estate to meet the needs of our activities and audiences. We will also invest in systems and technology that make us more effective at managing information and mobilising our data to enrich global scientific knowledge. The Masterplan will support the objectives of the Museum Strategy, by providing the Museum with the improved physical infrastructure and public spaces to deliver a required step change in the visitor experience, absorbing more focus on collections storage, infrastructure and visitor facilities. Increasing exhibition space and opening up new circulation routes will be matched by the relocation of (and improvements to) galleries, and the development of a new Earth and Planetary Sciences Centre and Members Room. These developments represent a major investment encompassing a range of projects, from new major research facilities to caring for the building’s fabric. In parallel the Museum is exploring the possibility of using offsite storage to ensure suitable care for its collections and thereby release more space at the South Kensington site for public use. The Museum has an impressive tradition of making a positive virtue of the constraints of the architectural heritage. The objective of the Masterplan is to make the estate work better, respecting the heritage of the whole as well as the constituent parts while addressing the pressures and needs that the modern Museum faces.

The Masterplan centres on 3 overall objectives: 1. Quality and location of collections storage The Masterplan will identify a long-term strategy to store the Museum’s collections taking into account conservation requirements, research, future growth and the digital recording of collections. By finding a space-efficient solution to current storage chal- lenges, more of the South Kensington site can be opened up to public space. 2. Capacity of public space By implementing the improved collections storage strategy, more public space will be created to accommodate more visitors and offer an improved public experience. This will entail sig- nificant alterations to major facets of the Museum – the Hintze Hall and grounds, temporary exhibition space, a new Learning Centre, and a Members Room. 3. Public circulation Projects delivered as a result of the Masterplan will reduce queues outside and inside the Museum, allowing for more efficient movement and easing crowds for an improved interaction with the collections. The two major projects that will deliver this are the grounds projects and the Waterhouse Link Corridor.

Future major projects that emanate from the Masterplan include; The Grounds Transformation Project

The Grounds will be an elegant and sensitive setting for the Grade 1 Listed Waterhouse Buildings, creating an initial impression which conveys the intellectual ambition and grand scale of the Museum. The project will also create more suitable space for revenue generation and visitor management. Regeneration of The Hintze Hall The Hintze Hall is the starting point for engagement with the collection; the opportunity for visitors to orientate themselves, become inspired, and catch a tantalising glimpse of all that the Museum has to offer. The revitalised Hintze Hall, already in progress, will introduce visitors through the collections to the narratives of Origins & Evo- lution and Diversity of life (with the thread of Sustainable futures running throughout). It will shape a personal connection for visitors introducing them to the human story of the people who have shaped the Museum throughout its history. The intention is not that visitors linger long in the Hintze Hall, but that it should create an impulse, spurring visitors to explore the Museummore deeply. New Earth and Planetary Sciences Centre A major new venture: the Earth and Planetary Sciences centre. The Centre will provide world-class facilities for collections, research, learning and engagement in earth and planetary sciences to complement our investment in the life sciences in the Darwin Centre. The Waterhouse Link The scope of the Waterhouse Link project is primarily to create a new artery through which the Museum can improve visitor flow and management. In addition to the above we will embark on redeveloping several more of our major galleries and further programmes of digitisation, outreach and exhibitions based on our collection.

THE ROLE The Head of Masterplanning and Projects will lead the delivery of the Museum’s estate masterplanning, capital development and capital infrastructure investment, and will lead and manage the team responsible for resourcing, planning, scrutinising and monitoring the capital programme. The postholder also leads the team responsible for the project management of the special exhibition programme and other elements of the public programme, and for supporting the oversight and governance of these programmes. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in project and programme leadership roles with responsibility for planning and managing large develop- ment projects in environments with comparable characteristics to those found at the Museum. You will have strong strategic planning and development manage- ment skills, with demonstrable relevant experience of masterplanning, construction management of multi million pound new build and refurbishment, business case development, feasibility and option appraisal and brief development. In this senior leadership role the postholder will need to have capability to lead, manage and motivate internal and external teams of project management and other professionals.

Purpose The role leads the delivery of the Museum’s estate masterplanning, capital development and capital infrastructure investment, and leads the team responsible for resourcing, planning, scrutinising and monitoring the capital programme. It also leads the team responsible for the project management of the special exhibition programme and other elements of the public programme, and for supporting the oversight and governance of these programmes. Key responsibilities • Lead the development, co-ordination and delivery of the Museum’s long termmasterplan for the Museum’s estate. • Lead the delivery of the Museum’s capital programme to provide developments in line with Museums’ strategic priorities. • Lead the team responsible for the project management, resourcing, planning, oversight, scrutiny and governance of the Museum’s capital infra structure programme. • Lead the team responsible for the project management of the special exhibition programme and other elements of the public programme. • For major capital programmes and projects, carry out the role of programme \ project lead being fully responsible for successful delivery. This includes leading on the early strategic planning such as masterplanning, feasibility and option appraisals, business case development, and strategic brief development. • Lead the development of capital investment business cases which may require DCMS approval from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and HM Treasury. • Oversee the function responsible for: o the development, co-ordination and submission of capital investment business cases for the annual planning round. o establishing realistic project budgets, cost plans, cost control, cash flows, and forecasting across the capital programme. o ensuring a robust management information system to ensure that project finances, project delivery and risks are actively monitored and reported o ensuring that projects adhere to common standards and principles appropriate to scale and ensuring that the delivered project meets the agreed objectives and brief. o Ensuring robust processes for effective post project completion review, and implementation of lessons learned are in place. • Review and develop the project delivery model including the mix of internal and external project management resources and use of framework and other external consultants. • With the support of the Procurement Manager, lead the strategy for the appointment of consultants and contactors for project delivery both at strategic and project level, ensuring compliance with EU procurement requirements. • With the support of the Procurement Manager, lead the review and development of standard specification and contract documents appropriate to capital and other project delivery. • Lead the contractual negotiations with contractors, consultants, other suppliers, and developers for major projects, and oversee and ensure robust processes for such negotiations for other projects. • Ensure rigorous performance management and monitoring of external contractors, consultants and other service providers engaged to deliver capital projects. • Ensure that the highest levels of safety and risk management are embedded in capital project activity. • Ensure that project activity fully complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements. • Manage key external relationships including local and statutory authorities, residents and resident groups, and neighbouring organisations and businesses. • Work with the Head of Estates to manage the relationship with the Estates and Buildings Advisory Committee. • Develop collegiate relationships with senior internal stakeholders and other relevant teams • Work with the Head of Estates to ensure capital project design and delivery is consistent with the building services and maintenance strategy and operational requirements • Membership of cross museum groups which oversee capital projects delivery and masterplanning.

Key experience and skills required: • Hold a relevant professional qualification (RICS, MCIOB, MICE, RIBA) • Delivery of significant capital projects in complex multi stakeholder environment • Programme and project management • Construction management of multi million pound new build and refurbishment • Architectural design and ability to challenge design • Masterplanning • Heritage \ high public footfall buildings • Negotiation with developers • Contractual negotiations with contractors and consultants • Management of in house and external project management teams • Strong industry presence

APPLICATION PROCESS For a confidential conversation please contact our advisor Ben Duffill of The Management Recruitment Group on E: ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk T: 02078685038. Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than 4 pages) and a relevant projects list (not more than 2 pages, to include project type, value and contract type). Applications should be sent to; ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk Closing date for applications: 1st May 2016 Interviews are scheduled for: w/c 23rd May 2016

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