Associate Executive Director: Content and Engagement

The National Museum of the Royal Navy; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A national museum in the UK seeks an Associate Executive Director: Content and Engagement to lead storytelling, engage diverse audiences, and oversee content strategy. This strategic role offers the chance to shape museum operations and impacts on naval history. The selected candidate will enjoy a hybrid working arrangement and various benefits including pension and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Group pension plan with Royal London

25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 after 5 years

Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay

Flexible working/hybrid working

Employee Assistance Programme

Paid professional membership fees

Discounts at shops and cafes

Qualifications

• Collaborative, imaginative, and driven leader.
• Experience managing teams across multiple sites.
• Ability to create digital and onsite audience experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of a bold, inclusive Content and Engagement Strategy.
• Inspire and manage cross-disciplinary teams across Conservation, Collections, Research, and Programming.
• Champion digital and physical storytelling.

Skills

Proven experience in a senior role within a museum, heritage, or cultural organisation

Track record of developing content and engagement strategies

Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Commercial acumen

Commitment to inclusive storytelling and community engagement

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Job description

Salary (Grade 9):£65,228 - £70,863per annum(dependent upon experience)

Hours:37.5hours per week-permanentcontract

Location:National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyardwith the opportunity for hybrid working (a combination of working onsite and from home).

Inspire the Nation. Lead the Storytelling. Shape the Future.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) tells the extraordinary story of the Royal Navy-its global influence, rich heritage, and continuing relevance today. As a national museum with sites across the UK, we care for one of the world’s most significant maritime collections and tell stories that connect Navy to Nation, past to present.

We’re seeking a visionary leader to join our Executive Board as Associate Executive Director: Content and Engagement-a newly created role with the opportunity to shape how we bring our collections to life, engage new and diverse audiences, and deliver meaningful impact through content, programming, and interpretation.

This is a great opportunity to join the team

This is a pivotal time for the museum and heritage sector-and an exciting moment to help shape NMRN’s future. In this strategic and creative leadership role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of a bold, inclusive Content and Engagement Strategy
• Inspire and manage cross-disciplinary teams across Conservation, Collections, Research, and Programming
• Champion digital and physical storytelling that resonates with audiences across generations
• Collaborate with Marketing and Commercial colleagues to grow reach and maximise the brand
• Contribute to organisational strategy as a member of the Executive Board
• You will report to the Executive Director of Museum Operations and work alongside other Associate Executive Directors and senior leaders across the NMRN group.

What you can bring:

You will be a collaborative, imaginative and driven leader with:

• Proven experience in a senior role within a museum, heritage, or cultural organisation
• A track record of developing and delivering content and engagement strategies
• Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams, ideally across multiple sites
• Commercial acumen and experience creating both digital and onsite audience experiences
• A deep commitment to inclusive storytelling and community engagement
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• This is a senior leadership role at a national institution, offering the opportunity to shape how we serve our audiences and preserve naval history for future generations.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
• Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
• 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata for part time employees, increasing to 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service, pro rata for part time employees, with the option to purchase additional annual leave.
• Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
• Flexible working/hybrid working.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Paid professional membership fees.
• Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
• Discounts at our shops and cafes.
• Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.
• A range of other benefits including cycle to work, employer supported volunteering leave, mobile tech, etc.
• Paid reservist leave.

If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding the role, or ask any questions, please contact Andrew Baines, Executive Director of Museum Operations:[e-mail]

All applicants are asked to apply viahttps://jobs.nmrn.org.uk/by midnight onSunday 17 August 2025. The selection processes will be held on site in Portsmouth onWednesday 3 September 2025.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the People team [e-mail] support.

This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on the naval base, as well as the right to work in the UK. Please note we cannot currently sponsor work visas.