Heritage Manager

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About the role

The Heritage Manager will lead the day-to-day operations and development of North Northamptonshire's heritage assets including the Cornerstone and Corby Heritage Centre. 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.

In this role, you will demonstrate a results-oriented, team-focused, and guest-centric management style within the tourism or hospitality sector. You will exhibit a motivational and can-do attitude, building effective relationships to maximise team performance. A strong understanding of business and financial procedures is essential, as well as efficient management of teams and resources to achieve financial goals. Overseeing 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. This critical aspect of the role requires knowledge in heritage collection management, including knowledge of conservation techniques, cataloguing and archival best practices. 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. If you have a deep understanding of heritage collections and a passion for preserving cultural assets, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact.

A key objective for the Heritage Manager is to oversee the opening of the newly renovated Cornerstone to the public, ensuring it becomes a vibrant cultural hub. Additionally, you will collaborate with the Head of Service and the Project and Development Manager to formulate a long-term strategy for restoring and reopening the Kettering Museum, revitalising this important local institution. 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. These objectives will require strategic planning, strong project management skills and a deep commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement.

The role demands a creative, strategic thinker with a passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences. 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.

Occasionally, situations may arise that require you to perform other duties as reasonably requested by the estate. All employees are expected to adhere to the organisation's commitment to providing a safe and positive working environment for all. This role operates on a 5/7-day roster, including weekends and bank holidays, to ensure comprehensive coverage and support for heritage sites.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in guest service excellence, effective team management, and innovative business development within the tourism or hospitality sector. If you are a creative, strategic thinker with a passion for heritage and customer satisfaction, we encourage you to apply.

What will you be doing?

Overall purpose of the post

1. Lead and line manage the Heritage Team, including the site leadership team.
2. Develop new business ventures to maximise revenue, brand growth and profits.
3. Take ultimate responsibility for managing key heritage partnerships.
4. Oversee the projected income and manage the heritage department P&L.
5. Ensure overall health and safety, safeguarding, legal and HR procedures are adhered to.
6. Lead the delivery and expansion of the pioneering learning and engagement programme.
7. Care for and preserve historic listed buildings in collaboration with key partners, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
8. Grow the North Northamptonshire heritage brand in line with the strategic business plan.
9. Preserve heritage artefacts and collections at museums, art galleries and archive stores.
10. Oversee and manage the care for collections at Corby Heritage Centre, Kettering Museum and The Alfred East Art Gallery, ensuring compliance with accreditation guidelines.
11. Lead the development and delivery of a project to secure the future of Kettering Museum and the NNC collection, from scoping and options appraisal to funding and implementation.
12. Coordinate and implement strategic plans to enhance visitor experience and engagement.
13. Establish and maintain effective communication channels with stakeholders, community groups and funding bodies.
14. Conduct regular assessments and site visits to ensure the preservation and proper maintenance of heritage sites.
15. Facilitate training and professional development opportunities for the Heritage Team.
16. Promote sustainable practices in all aspects of heritage management and operations.
17. Develop and manage educational and outreach programs to increase public awareness and appreciation of local heritage.
18. Ensure all projects and activities align with the organisation's mission and strategic objectives.
19. Report on project progress, financial status and outcomes to senior management and governing boards.
20. Act as an ambassador for North Northamptonshire heritage, representing the organisation at local, regional and national events.
21. Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the Heritage Team, encouraging innovation and best practices.
22. Secure additional funding and sponsorship opportunities to support ongoing and future projects.
23. Manage the logistics and operations of special events, exhibitions and public programs.
24. Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to promote heritage sites and programs.
25. Oversee the development and implementation of digital initiatives to enhance access to heritage resources.

Main accountabilities

1. Create exceptional visitor experiences by organising and delivering engaging activities that bring the multiple heritage sites to life in new and innovative ways.
2. Oversee and manage the care for collections at Corby Heritage Centre, Alfred East Art Gallery and Kettering Museum, including developing and overseeing the project to secure the future of Kettering Museum, ensuring compliance with museum accreditation guidelines.
3. Develop commercial operations, including catering, retail, events, and conferencing, fostering a culture of excellent customer care and ensuring all visitor areas are presented to high standards.
4. Analyse visitor surveys and provide clear feedback and recommendations to the leadership team and senior officers. Act on visitor feedback to continuously improve the visitor experience.
5. Benchmark site performance by collaborating with other local and national visitor attractions, museums, and galleries.
6. Develop effective delivery of educational and commercial activities, including new outreach and onsite engagement programs.
7. Manage financial performance, including developing, monitoring, and evaluating commercial aspects of visitor services such as events, weddings, and conferencing bookings. Set and achieve financial targets, maximising sales and income generation on site.
8. Identify new opportunities to drive income and innovation, harnessing ideas from the team and customer feedback. Support colleagues in developing their business areas, offering practical help when needed, and assist the Head of Service in creating successful fundraising bids.
9. Work with the Head of Service to develop and implement long-term master plans and business plans for the sites.
10. Lead the continued development of the food and beverage offer at Cornerstone, including implementing new menus, procedures, and customer service training. Ensure the catering offering meets all food hygiene regulations.
11. Provide clear leadership and direction to staff and volunteers, maintaining effective communication and ensuring adequate supervision. Develop rotas that provide suitable staffing cover while remaining within agreed monthly wage budgets.
12. Produce monthly reports, including financial, staffing, and strategic updates.
13. Grow the overall brand within North Northamptonshire and beyond. Act as the 'face' of the heritage offering, leading all PR and external communications.
14. Develop and lead a long-term marketing strategy to increase visitor footfall and spend per head (SPH).
15. Mentor and develop the entire Heritage team, from management to weekend and casual team members.
16. Manage all commercial contracts, ensuring compliance with NNC procurement processes.
17. Take responsibility for all health and safety, security, recruitment, GDPR, safeguarding, and other statutory regulations.

This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

About you

Are you a dynamic and experienced professional with a strong background in management, business studies, marketing, communications, finance, or a related discipline? We are looking for an individual who is not only a graduate but has also gained substantial experience working in heritage, leisure, tourism or visitor experience sectors. If you thrive in managing large and diverse teams and have a passion for delivering exceptional customer service, this could be the perfect opportunity for 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. Your ability to influence and advocate will inspire confidence in team members, senior officers and stakeholders alike. 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.

In addition to your essential qualifications, having a master's degree or further education in management, heritage, leisure, tourism, or hospitality management will be highly advantageous. Certifications such as a Personal License, first aid training, a Level 3 food hygiene certificate or an Occupational Health and Safety certificate (IOSH or NEBOSH) will set you apart from other candidates.

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 ready to bring your dynamic leadership style and analytical skills to our team, we look forward to hearing from you.

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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