Employer: NATIONAL TRUST
Location: Sissinghurst, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, TN17 2AB
Salary: £31,500 per annum
Closing Date: 14 Nov 2023
Job Summary
We are looking for an inspirational, creative, and collaborative leader to elevate collections conservation and engagement to the next level at one of the highest-profile properties in the Trust’s London and South East region.
Job Description
This is an exceptional opportunity for a self-motivated and enthusiastic leader who can inspire their team to work together towards the shared vision of making all the properties within the portfolio must-see destinations.
As the Collections & House Manager, you will understand how to create and lead great experiences, motivating multi-disciplinary teams across the portfolio. You will need to bring your experience, enthusiasm, drive, and determination to this exciting role. Your high standards for yourself and your teams, combined with an enjoyment of delivering and achieving results, will be crucial.
Accommodation is provided to the postholder for the proper or better performance of their duties in accordance with Trust criteria and HMRC rules.
Salary: £30,225 – £31,500 depending on experience.
First interviews will be held on the 29th of November, and second stage interviews will be on the 5th of December.
About the Workplace
The collection at Sissinghurst includes one of the most significant book collections in the National Trust, featuring 11,000 books and 3,000 collection items, including a significant number of statues and outdoor collection items. Smallhythe Place also has a significant collection of around 14,000 items, including one of the largest costume collections within the organization.
Role and Responsibilities
Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll lead a small team of deeply committed conservation staff as well as a large and very active group of volunteers. As a member of the Property Leadership Team, you’ll also be responsible for the effective operation of the overall property, the delivery of the business plan, contribution to long-term strategies, and leadership of projects for your area.
You’ll cover Duty Management, which will require you to work flexibly across seven days, including weekends, evenings, and bank holidays. You’ll also need to balance your time to suit the portfolio’s needs and ideally be able to travel across the portfolio when required (expenses will be reimbursed).
The portfolio requires the team to manage their time efficiently, prioritizing peak seasons for visitors to all our places. We have a mix of long-standing and new team members, all committed to delivering excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive improvements to standards of presentation, conservation, and collections care in collaboration with the regional consultancy.
- Commission remedial conservation for a wide range of objects.
- Manage and lead a rolling program of dynamic house displays and engaging exhibitions.
- Motivate and develop a team of staff and volunteers.
- Commit to engagement and showcasing the stories behind our collection and conservation work for a range of different audiences.
- Manage relevant compliance, health and safety, and emergency procedures.
- Exercise strong business planning and organizational skills, including budget control.
Qualifications and Requirements
We’d love to hear from you if you can demonstrate:
- Experience managing historic collections and houses, with a solid understanding of collections care and preventive conservation.
- Proficiency in commissioning remedial conservation for a wide range of objects.
- Excellent project management skills, with an eye for detail and precision in planning complex projects, both short- and long-term.
- The ability to motivate and develop a team of staff and volunteers.
- Commitment to engagement and showcasing the stories behind our collection and conservation work for a range of different audiences.
- Experience in the management of relevant compliance, health and safety, and emergency procedures.
- Strong business planning and organizational skills, including budget control.
