Operations Manager for the Botany Unit

The Swedish Museum of Natural History is a government agency with a mission from the government to promote knowledge, research, and interest in our world. The agency is a prominent research institution and Sweden's largest museum. For over 200 years, the museum has collected objects and data and conducted research on life on Earth. The collections contain more than 11 million plants, animals, fungi, environmental samples, minerals, and fossils. All research and knowledge are shared in exhibitions, Cosmonova, and activities at the museum and digitally.

Do you want to combine your passion for botanical-mycological biodiversity with a leading role at one of Sweden's most prominent research institutions? The Swedish Museum of Natural History is now seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable operations manager for the botany unit!

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead and organize the unit's collection work based on our vision, values, and mission. As an operations manager, you will be an important link between employees and the unit manager, and you will act as the employer's representative both internally and externally. By planning, leading, and following up on operations, you will be a central part of developing and strengthening our collection management.

Your main responsibilities include independently and in consultation with the unit manager:

• Planning, leading, and following up on the work with the unit's collections, including the distribution of incoming cases as well as loan and exchange matters.
• Being the point of contact for visitors, guest researchers, and volunteers in the collections as well as for the unit's own researchers.
• Being responsible for developing proposals for routines and policies in collection management, organizing quality assurance, monitoring ABS issues from a collection perspective, and representing the unit in internal and external collection contexts and collection organizations.
• Participating in strategic meetings and supporting the unit manager in recruitment work and other operational development.
• Supporting the unit manager in matters concerning the management and culling of backlog and donations.
• Contributing your own efforts in collection management, e.g., registration, sorting, and imaging.

Independent research, general collection work, as well as teaching at the university level may occur, as well as work within the public activities and exhibitions and overall work within the museum. If necessary, project management or other leadership within operational areas of the unit may be included. Participation in outreach activities and other recurring tasks within the agency may also be included.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for someone who has:

• A university degree in systematic biology or equivalent, with a focus on botany or mycology/lichenology.
• Leadership experience.
• Good ability to handle digital tools.
• Good knowledge and experience in botanical collection management and understanding of collection-based research, particularly taxonomy and nomenclature.
• Good communication skills.
• Good knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language and English, both spoken and written.
• A strong and active interest in and knowledge of botanical-mycological biodiversity (species knowledge).

Meritorious competencies:

• Doctorate in systematic biology (or equivalent) with a focus on botany or mycology/lichenology.
• Experience in leading working groups within collection activities and/or research.
• Experience in operational development, budgeting, and financial follow-up.
• Independent scientific production within collection-based systematics, including taxonomy and nomenclature.
• Experience in digitization.
• Leadership training.
• Experience in systematic work environment management.
• Experience in outreach activities.
• Knowledge of Swedish public administration.

Personal qualities we particularly value are collaboration skills, accountability, and courage.

You are attentive to others' opinions and competencies, and you create an atmosphere that encourages collaboration and progress. You are skilled at building and developing relationships, and you contribute to clarifying the group's goals and tasks. Sharing your knowledge comes naturally to you.

You take independent responsibility for both your own tasks and the group's results. You ensure that things get done and always do what is necessary for the organization to achieve its goals. When challenges arise, you are solution-focused and acknowledge mistakes with a willingness to correct them. Meeting deadlines is a given.

You dare to make decisions, even when they are difficult or uncomfortable. By creating clarity and transparency in roles and responsibilities, you build trust within the team. You handle conflicts with respect and determination, and you have the ability to give and receive feedback constructively, whether it is positive or challenging.

You are a person who can both inspire others and make decisions when needed to contribute to a positive and successful work environment.

OTHER

Our goal is to show the way to increased knowledge and action through research and public activities, so that together we can contribute to a sustainable and bright future. Our long-term ambition is for the employees of the Swedish Museum of Natural History to reflect the diversity that exists in Sweden. We welcome all applicants regardless of gender, background, origin, and ability.

In preparation for the recruitment process, we have made decisions regarding recruitment channels and marketing. Therefore, we kindly ask not to be contacted by media sellers, recruitment sites, or similar.