As part of the Futures Curator team you’ll get the chance to work with all kinds of people from inside and outside MMU, learn new skills, build social and professional networks and gain valuable skills and experience - the kind of experience that will make employers sit up and take notice! The Curator’s role is fun and dynamic, and you’ll enjoy the high profile position of being one of our recognised Futures ambassadors on campus.
What is Futures?
MMU Futures is a new initiative focusing on employability, sustainability and community engagement. We work in partnership with students to deliver a range of activities and opportunities that help you achieve your personal and professional ambitions, and which add value to your student experience.
In Summer 2012 some of our activities included: intensive week-long language courses; a programme for budding entrepreneurs; a charity business challenge with the Princes’ Trust; Leadership Skills Training delivered by an Army Colonel; Carbon Literacy Training as part of Manchester City Council’s ‘Climate Change Action Plan’, and helping to build relationships with local residents through volunteering opportunities.
What we’re looking for…
Right now we’re looking for central curators as follows:
Visual Curator – As a Visual Curator you will be responsible for creating and generating photographic images at Futures events to be used on the website, Facebook and Twitter, and designing other promotional material as necessary.
Course compatibility might include: Graphic Design, Media Technology, Multi-Media Design, Visual Arts, Photography, Digital Media and Media Technology.
Audio- Visual Curators
Audio-Visual Curators will be responsible for filming Futures events and editing footage to produce short promotional videos for use on the website & Facebook.
Compatible courses might include: Media Technology, Digital Media, Creative Multi-Media, Video Production and Film.
Social Media Curators
Social Media Curators will have responsibility for updating and maintaining the social media networks (Facebook and Twitter) to ensure that they are kept up-to-date with the latest news and events and that the Futures message is kept clear, consistent and in line with our values.
We would be looking for skills and experience such as: Creative Writing; Journalism; Knowledge of Social Media and the market; understanding of media law; ability to edit complex information into bite-sized pieces.
Course compatibility might include: Multimedia Journalism, Creative Writing, Digital Media, Media Technology, English.
Event Supporters
Event Curators will support centrally organised events and volunteering activity, and responsibilities will involve a range of administrative duties including helping to run the event on the day, along with writing pieces/reporting on events to feature on the website.
You’ll need to be a confident communicator and have some project co-ordination skills, along with a keen interest in local community activities and sustainability, as you will be forming relationships with commercial and community organisations.
Course compatibility might include: Events Management, Business Studies, Hospitality, Social Care, Humanities, Public Services, Public Relations, English, Creative Writing and Education.
Faculty and Student Union Curators
We are also recruiting Faculty-based curators and there are 2 vacancies available per faculty along with 2 for the SU. A general description of these roles is as follows:
Faculty Curators will be required to support the development and organisation of projects within the particular Faculty. Responsibilities will be to act as Champions to promote events direct to the student population and coordinate with Curators centrally and from other Faculties in developing ideas to encourage student involvement; disseminate information on Futures and its events within the Faculty via electronic and personal communication; develop new event ideas; provide administrative support and other such duties as required.
You will need to be enthusiastic, self-motivated, IT literate and an excellent communicator.
The Commitment
We anticipate that your commitment will be between 30 to 40 hours over the course of the year for central curators, although it is likely a large portion of this will be concentrated in May and June when exams and assignments are out of the way. Faculty Curator hours may vary as they will be dependent on Faculty activity, although commitment is likely to be similar to that for central curators.
We are sensitive to the needs of your course and can work around your studies by using other members of the team when you are busy.
We will be employing our Curators through jobs4students and the role pays £8 per hour.
How to apply
If you think you might be interested in becoming a curator we need to hear from you. We need you to tell us about the skills and ideas you have, and what you can add to support the progress of MMU Futures.
Your application does not necessarily have to be in written format, it can be in the shape of a short video clip outlining your skills and what you have to offer the Futures initiative. Alternatively you can submit a graphic illustration to describe the qualities you can bring to the project. The possibilities are endless and the more creative you are, the more distinctive you can make your application and the more you will stand out from the crowd!
Applications need to be submitted by 12.00 noon on 22nd October.
Applications should be e-mailed to mmufutures@mmu.ac.uk.
Interviews will be taking place on the following dates:
Wednesday 24th October between 12.30 and 8.00pm
Thursday 25th October between 12.30pm and 8.00pm
The induction for successful applicants will take place on Tuesday 30th October from 5.00 – 8.00pm and it is essential that you attend this induction. You will also need to register with Jobs4students to enable you to be paid, and they will be present between 4.00 -5.00pm to go through the process with you. If you are unable to attend the registration session or if you have any other queries please contact us at mmufutures@mmu.ac.uk.
You will be paid for attendance at the induction.