From 2023-2024 he was interim director of the British Museum. Before that, 2011-2016, he was Master of St Cross College, Oxford. Before that again he was Director of the Victoria & Albert Museum 2001-2011. His time there saw a ten year, £120 million programme of renewal of the museum and its displays which transformed two thirds of its vast building.
Mark Jones’ directorship of the National Museums of Scotland (1992-2001) saw the opening of the Museum of Scotland in 1998, the creation of the National War Museum of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle and the Museum of Scottish Country Life at Kittochside in East Kilbride. He was closely involved in the creation of SCRAN, the most successful digital Millennium project, which continues to provide on-line access to the collections held by over 300 museums, galleries and archives throughout Scotland and he originated Game On which is among the most successful travelling exhibitions ever created.
His appointment as Chair of Historic Environment Scotland started on 22 September 2025 and runs until 21 September 2029.
Mark does not hold any other public appointments.