Director - National Railway Museum

Do you hold experience of leadership in a national museum? Are you an engaging and collaborative communicator and leader, with an ability to influence and advocate for our museum?

About us

The Science Museum Group (SMG) is here to inspire futures. As part of this strategic priority, we are delivering a major masterplan development at the National Railway Museum (NRM). The benefits to our visitors will be greatly improved visitor experience; easier level access across the site, galleries to interact and learn engineering skills, learn about the future of the railways; and new and improved café and retail spaces with high quality facilities. Over the coming years, NRM will undergo unprecedented change; the museum is the cultural heart of a £1bn city centre regeneration project, York Central. Our investment and total reimagination of the museum will see every part of the museum and visitor journey will change. Our redevelopment will contribute to the regions' regeneration, the national skills agenda and to the city's wider cultural offer and profile.

About the role

To support this work, we are now recruiting for a Director of the National Railway Museum on a permanent basis. This role will provide overall leadership of NRM, as well as oversight of the Estates department, with responsibility for their strategies, operations and NRM's commercial development. Working closely with Group functions including Collection Services, People & Culture, Masterplan, Estate and Corporate Services, and working closely with their team, this role will manage all safe and smooth operations on site, develop the development of long-term strategy for the site and 'think big' in innovating for the future. Representing the museum at all senior conversations, including with Trustees, Executive Team, Government officials and external stakeholders, this role will play a critical role in advocating for the museum.

About you

Joining us, you will bring experience of leadership in a national museum, as well as experience of operational management and delivery amid complex and rapidly changing environments. You will have demonstrable experience of driving sustainability within an historic estate and identifying opportunities for innovation. Given the focus of the site, exposure to, or an understanding of, the rail/engineering sector will be useful, as well as an understanding of site management including health and safety, compliance and security.

Don't feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.

What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures. Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development. Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life. Health & Dental. Support with treatment costs from day one. Wellbeing. All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme and other wellbeing support. Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community. Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future. Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements. Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.

Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.