Assistant Operations Director - South and East

English Heritage; London; On-site; GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic Assistant Operations Director to oversee a remarkable portfolio of historic sites. This full-time, permanent role offers the chance to lead a passionate team dedicated to enhancing visitor experiences and community engagement. The successful candidate will manage diverse historic properties, ensuring exceptional customer service and maximizing income generation. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to making heritage accessible for everyone, while enjoying a range of benefits including flexible hours, professional development opportunities, and a supportive workplace culture. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in the heritage sector.

Benefits

25 days' holiday plus bank holidays

Matched pension contributions up to 10%

Flexible hours

Career progression opportunities

Apprenticeship opportunities

Free access to English Heritage sites

25% discount in shops and cafes

Enhanced parental leave

Options to buy additional leave

Inclusive working atmosphere

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering major projects and leading large teams.
• Experience in visitor-facing sites or cultural organizations.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex collection of historic sites and drive visitor experience.
• Engage with local stakeholders and maximize income generation.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Commercial Acumen

Team Leadership

Visitor Experience Enhancement

Job description

Title: Assistant Operations Director - South and East
Location: London office or at a property within the territory
Salary: £64,189 / 36 / Permanent
Job type: Permanent
Ref: 15973

Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.

Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings.

That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.

We are looking for an Assistant Operations Director, South and East to join our team. In this full-time, permanent role based at one of our in-territory properties or our London office, you'll oversee an extraordinary collection of historic sites across the territory, from grand houses to iconic monuments and vibrant community spaces, leading a high-performing team to ensure their continued impact and success.

As our Assistant Operations Director, South and East, you will:

1. Manage a complex collection of sites
2. Drive visitor experience, commercial performance, and community engagement
3. Maximise income generation
4. Engage with local stakeholders
5. Increase participation, engagement and volunteering
6. Ensure the highest standard of customer service and presentation

About You

To join us as our Assistant Operations Director, South and East, you will need:

1. A proven track record in delivering major projects
2. Experience working in a visitor-facing site or cultural organisation
3. Experience delivering P&L targets and generating income
4. Experience leading a large team
5. Demonstrable commercial acumen
6. Exceptional stakeholder management skills
7. A passion for bringing arts, culture and heritage to life

The Benefits

1. Salary from £64,189, depending on skills, experience and location
2. 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, pro rata, rising to 28 days after 3 years
3. Matched pension contributions up to 10%
4. Flexible hours
5. The opportunity to progress your career within the heritage sector
6. Apprenticeship opportunities
7. Subscriptions to professional bodies
8. Free access to all English Heritage sites for you and up to six friends and family members
9. 25% discount in our shops and cafes
10. Enhanced maternity, paternity or shared parental leave
11. Options to buy additional leave
12. An inclusive working atmosphere everybody is supported from all backgrounds, religions and with different needs
13. Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events

South and East Portfolio

English Heritage's South and East portfolio brings together a diverse collection of historic properties, ranging from grand residences and imposing castles to coastal forts, monuments and a very famous battlefield. These sites reflect centuries of the nation's social, political, artistic and architectural history, offering powerful connections to figures who shaped the world and moments that defined a nation.

First stage interviews will be held on 28th / 29th May with second stage scheduled for 3rd June.

If you would like to talk to us e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Neil McCollum, Operations Director, South and East. No agencies please.

Everybody's welcome at English Heritage

Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.

We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.

Closing date: 18/05/2025 23:59:59