JOB DESCRIPTION

Post Title

/ MUSEUM DIRECTOR
Annual Salary / £40,000 - £45,000

Responsible To

/ Chair of the Trustee Board (and the Board of Trustees)

Responsible For

/ All staff, Volunteers, Placements
Site Responsibility / All sites
Main Purpose of Job / To provide outstanding leadership that will ensure the continued success and sustainability of SIMT through effective strategic and business planning, partnership working and project management.
  • To protect, preserve and develop the industrial collection and buildings of the Trust continuing to create an accessible and inclusive experience
  • To oversee the running of the Trust within agreed budgets
  • To manage the staff appropriately developing their skills and attributes
  • To work with the Commercial Manager to develop the commercial income of the Trust

Core Responsibilities

/
  • Strategic Collaboration:
  • To lead SIMT at a time of change and transition
  • To work with the CEO of Museums Sheffield to develop the collaboration between the two trusts particularly as part of the NPO consortium bid if successful
  • To develop and maintain existing and new opportunities for partnership working with other public bodies and organisations, for example the local authority and universities
  • Strategic Vision:
  • To lead on developing a new vision for the future development of the industrial museums
  • To build and lead a new management team covering all the activities of SIMT appropriate to this period of transition
  • Commercial Activities:
  • To develop a commercial strategy including venue hire, retail and catering
  • To drive the business development of the SIMT, exploiting the commercial potential of the industrial museums and increasing income generated from all trading activities
  • To manage the Trading arm of the Trust
  • To drive improvement of the visitor experience at all sites, increasing visitor numbers and admissions income
  • Financial & Performance Management:
  • Lead on all aspects of the financial strategy and business planning of the Trust
  • Exercise control over all budgets ensuring targets are met
  • Oversight of systems, policies and processes ensuring efficient, resilient systems and practices are in place which are compliant and in line with audit requirements
  • To ensure the collection of Performance Measurement data and analysis, including maintaining current systems and meeting the needs of other funding bodies as may be necessary in the future
  • To ensure that all SIMT activities adhere to all compliance requirements
  • To act as client lead and/or project champion for major projects ensuring they are delivered, on time and on budget
  • Communication:
  • To ensure there is a high and positive profile for SIMT
  • Communicate and negotiate with major funders
  • To lead on the development of a communication strategy including marketing, PR, digital and social media
  • Ensure there is good communication with all the identified key relationships and others as they may arise
  • Community:
  • To lead the further development of SIMT’s strong commitment to community engagement and access for all
  • Ensure that supported volunteering is a core strategic priority for SIMT
  • To encourage the SIMT team to develop partnerships with local community groups and heritage organisations
  • Plan and develop the consultation programme and ensure activities meet the needs of target audiences
  • Other duties may be required by the Board of Trustees from time to time which are consistent with the grading of this post

Key Relationships /
  • Chair & Trustees of SIMT
  • Museums Sheffield CEO
  • Sheffield City Council
  • Arts Council England
  • Heritage Lottery Fund

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Background:The Trust is seeking a highly motivated, energetic and entrepreneurial person to lead SIMT at a time of change and transition and to drive the income performance of the Trust during this period of reducing public sector funding.

The successful candidate will be joining the Trust at a challenging time, but with considerable potential to make an impact. The Trust’s main site, Kelham Island Museum has undergone another HLF funded £500,000 expansion building on many earlier projects. The other major site, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet has just completed a HLF funded £1m restoration programme.
The two museum trusts of Sheffield are moving towards a much closer collaboration as part of an ACE NPO bid and this post will be key in working with the CEO of Museums Sheffield to ensure the success of the process and project
Requirement:Educated to degree level with at least 5 years in a senior management role with experience in organisational development, change management and leading business development
Criteria:
Essential / Desirable
General:
  • Self-motivated and able to show initiative and enterprise
  • Resilient and able to work under pressure in a challenging environment
  • An ability to work as part of a diverse, but small team
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Enthusiasm for communicating the vision of the Trust to the public.
  • Ability to manage workloads and conflicting priorities to meet targets and deadlines and provide an effective customer driven service
/ General:
  • An interest in industrial heritage
  • A background in leadership in a museums and / or heritage environment
  • Working with and encouraging the use of volunteers to improve the visitor experience and support the activities of the museum
  • Strong leadership and motivational qualities – demonstrating ability to provide strategic insight and act with integrity

Qualifications:
  • A good degree
  • A relevant post graduate or management qualification
/ Qualifications:
  • A museums or heritage management postgraduate qualification

Skills:
  • Excellent negotiating, influencing and communication skills with a range of stakeholders and external organisations
  • The ability to produce clear, concise and objective written reports and presentations to communicate effectively at all levels
  • Proven commercial skills in utilising facilities to generate income
  • Managing significant and complex budgets
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Excellent communication skills
/ Skills:
  • Specialist knowledge of the Corporate Governance frameworks required within the public sector
  • Ability to balance an enabling and flexible approach against policy or process compliance
  • Ability to analyse information and data and make sound judgments whilst managing risk

Experience:
  • Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation, to achieve successful outcomes
  • Fund raising through major and small grants, donations and sponsorship
  • Income generation in any capacity
  • Leading and managing a team of any size
  • Delivering a high quality visitor experience
/ Experience:
  • Working with the media
  • Experience of using all up to date marketing tools such as the social networking technologies
  • Marketing and promotional activity

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