About the role
Do you have substantial experience working in heritage, leisure, tourism or visitor experience sectors with a passion for bringing history to life?
Our commitment is to promote and celebrate North Northamptonshire’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant assets that distinguish us.
As part of the Culture, tourism and heritage service the Heritage Manager will lead on the development of our heritage assets including the Cornerstone and Corby Heritage Centre. A key objective will be to oversee the opening of the newly renovated Cornerstone to the public, the restoration and reopening the Kettering Museum. Another crucial responsibility is to develop a comprehensive plan for local history storage and collection spaces across North Northamptonshire, ensuring these valuable resources are preserved and accessible. Furthermore, you will lead the effort to relocate and develop the Corby Heritage Centre, creating a sustainable and engaging space for the community to connect with their heritage.
What will you be doing?
As the Heritage manager you will lead the team to develop new business ventures, taking responsibility to managing key partnerships.
You will manage and develop all visitor services and operational activities, including overseeing a large learning program, and ensuring the delivery of an exceptional visitor experience encompassing retail and catering activities. As Heritage Manager, you will lead the delivery and development of the business, ensuring its ongoing commercial success through innovative product development and maintaining high standards of guest service.
You will oversee all aspects of heritage management, including visitor services, estates and facilities teams, catering, retail, accommodation, administration, educational and commercial partnerships, security and health and safety, you will ensure comprehensive and high-quality management of heritage assets.
The Heritage Manager will be ultimately responsible, for the management, preservation and development of North Northamptonshire's heritage collections, working with a skilled museum and art gallery team. You will ensure that all heritage items are properly cared for, documented and displayed in a manner that enhances public understanding and appreciation. Using the skillset with the existing team, you will be essential in developing strategies for the acquisition, preservation, and interpretation of collections, ensuring their long-term sustainability and accessibility.
You will act as Duty Manager on a rota basis with the Leadership Team, requiring regular weekend and Bank Holiday work to ensure smooth operations and visitor satisfaction at museums and galleries. Collaboration with other managers is key to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
About you
You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences and stakeholders at strategic and operational levels. With a proven track record in retail, business, marketing, or visitor services, especially within the charity sector, you are adept at growing commercial operations and developing performance management cultures.
Your budget management skills, including regular monitoring, forecasting, and handling grant funding applications, will ensure the financial health and sustainability of our operations. Experience in working with volunteers, community groups, and developing community engagement and school outreach programs will further highlight your suitability for this role.
As a confident and flexible leader, you will demonstrate a relaxed management style that communicates effectively with everyone. Your excellent planning, report writing, and time-management skills will help you navigate the complexities of this role. Additionally, your IT skills will allow you to manage large EPOS and online booking systems efficiently.
Awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and the diverse needs of people are essential to us. If you are a creative, strategic thinker with a passion for heritage and customer satisfaction, we encourage you to apply.
Our benefits
We offer:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
About us
We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.
Our priorities are:
- helping people live active fulfilled lives
- caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
- enabling a thriving and successful economy
- leading on a green and sustainable environment
- ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
- providing modern public services
Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.
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