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Sheffield Museums is seeking a consultant with expertise in undertaking strategic reviews and business planning in the cultural sector to undertake a review of its service. 

The review will include current operations, processes, financial health and organisational culture and will consider how the museums can become more impactful and sustainable. The consultant will also undertake an organisational needs and civic opportunities analysis to identify areas of opportunity and challenge and ensure that Sheffield Museums delivers a service that aligns with local, regional and national public policy and meets the needs of a creative, healthy and prosperous city.

 

We are seeking an experienced consultant to undertake a strategic review of the service and its contribution to civic life, culturally, socially and economically.

The review should include an analysis of existing strengths and weaknesses, with areas for development and potential growth that are mapped against a needs analysis of the city we serve. We anticipate that this work will comprise a desk-based review, site visits and interviews with our team and key stakeholders. 

 

Overview Scope:

The consultant will be expected to,

  • Analyse key organisational documents including our vision, mission and purpose, annual accounts, business plan and budgets, key policies and strategies.
  • Identify the key areas where Sheffield Museums contributes positively to our city and explore opportunities to increase our impact.
  • Articulate what our city requires from its museum service, now and in the future.
  • Review our current financial position and mixed portfolio of income streams.
  • Undertake a focused 360-degree assessment of the organisation to identify opportunities to strengthen our long-term sustainability.
  • Conduct interviews with a range of team members and key stakeholders.
  • Identify key areas of challenge and risk and potential vulnerability.
  • Make comparisons with similar cultural sector organisations.
  • Work with full confidentiality throughout.

 

Knowledge and experience:

The consultant should demonstrate proven experience in: 

  • Strategic research and analysis
  • Understanding key areas of information required
  • Reviewing organisations and making useful and actionable recommendations
  • Understanding public policy, locally, regionally and nationally
  • Civic need analysis
  • Undertaking consultations with organisational representatives and key stakeholders
  • Advising cultural organisations on identifying priorities
  • Interpreting data across sectors to evidence impact and need
  • Communicating strategic analysis findings in a supportive and useful way
  • Support teams to understand impact, potential and opportunity

The consultant should be able to travel between all Sheffield Museums sites and attend meetings in person and online. 

 

Timescale & Quotations

We anticipate that this work will take up to 24 days, and must be completed by the end of July 2026. Your fee should include an estimate for expenses and exclude VAT.

The deadline for quotation submissions is: midnight on Sunday 22 March.  

Interviews, if required, will be held on: Thursday 26 March.

For full information, including details of how to make a submission, download the full brief via the link below

 

you can view the following PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat – you can download it for free at the Adobe website

How to apply

Queries and quotation submissions should be directed to:

Pamela Cunningham-Hayes, Project Manager (Defining a Decade) pamela.cunningham-hayes@sheffieldmuseums.org.uk