Reading Borough Council • Reading, Berkshire
About this role
22.2 Hours per week (3 Days per week) Fixed term for 20 months
Do you have the skills, experience and enthusiasm to reinterpret and enhance the visitor experience of Reading Museum’s Roman Gallery, so that it connects a wider range of people to Reading’s Roman heritage?
Reading Museum's Roman Britain Reimagined in Reading project will refresh the out-dated Roman Silchester Gallery through the creation of an exciting new Calleva Gallery opening in early 2028. It will tell new stories about the Roman town of Calleva, based on the most recent archaeological research by the University of Reading.
We are offering an exciting opportunity to join the Museum’s collection team to work on this project to develop and deliver a dynamic and innovative interpretation scheme working closely with the project team, gallery design consultant and main contractor.
Ideas for the interpretation programme were tested with our stakeholders and audiences. All our consultees had heard of the Romans and wanted to learn about what it was like to live in Calleva and relate it to modern life. Their feedback shaped the project’s Interpretation Plan that you will help deliver.
The project will redisplay the important collection in an exciting and accessible way, supported by community engagement activities and schools’ programmes. A key theme is the parallel between Calleva’s cultural and ethnic diversity and contemporary Reading’s demographic profile.
The new gallery will reflect over the past 30 years of excavations at the site by the university, with remarkable discoveries about Iron Age Calleva, Roman diet, international trade, religious practices and the diversity of Calleva’s inhabitants who came from the breadth of the Roman Empire.
The key responsibilities will be to
Work with the Museum and project teams, including design consultant, main contractor and stakeholders, to deliver the project’s Interpretation Plan to agreed milestones and standards.
Develop and produce all interpretation content copy for text, interactives, AV and learning resources for the new Calleva Gallery, working closely with the project’s design consultant and the project team.
Gather information and imagery from various sources to research the collection for the project’s interpretation content.
Produce content for the Museums’ website, blogs, and social media platforms.
Source and retrieve digital material including film and images for interpretation use, with a working knowledge of copyright/ intellectual property rights.
Contribute to museum blog and social media.
Enter information and research about the collections onto the computerised collections database.
Carry out object digitisation, using scanners and digital cameras.
Assist the collection team with basic collection care tasks such as object packing and object movement.
Assist with the recruitment, supervision and training of volunteers and paid placements.
Contribute to the regular reporting of project activities and evaluation framework.
About You
We are looking for a self-motivated and creative museum professional to develop and deliver the project’s interpretation content, for the new gallery and other interpretative resources.
You must have experience of producing accessible interpretative content appropriate to the project audiences, including museum gallery content.
You should have a good standard of language and numeracy, with a relevant subject and collections-based training/qualification, or equivalent knowledge and experience of working with museum collections, and/or heritage projects.
You will be highly organised, able to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
You must be an effective communicator, both written and verbally, be consistent and accurately, with a close eye for detail.
You are able to work independently and as part of a team, build strong and collaborative working relationships with staff, contractors, stakeholders and volunteers.
You are ICT literate including databases, standard software applications, websites, and social media.
You have an interest in and enthusiasm for the archaeology and history of Iron Age and Roman Britain, Reading and the local region.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
For more information please contact Matthew Williams, Museum Manager – matthew.williams@reading.gov.uk
Find out more about the project at: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/roman-britain
Closing Date
Sunday 31st May 2026
Interview Date
Tuesday 30th June and Wednesday 1st July 2026
Interview Setup
In person at the Reading Museum
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
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