Chief Executive Officer

ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions; Dundee; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT) seeks a visionary ChiefExecutive Officer to lead through a transformative period and ensure financial sustainability for its world‑class attractions, including RRS Discovery, Discovery Point and Verdant Works.

The CEO will shape strategy, drive audience growth, develop income, and lead a high‑performing team. Reporting to the Board, they will balance commercial opportunities with charitable aims and build lasting community impact.

Qualifications

• Senior leader with proven track record in strategic and organisational leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in income generation and financial management.
• Experience in arts/heritage/not-for-profit sectors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Transformation programme, including Discovery Point Transformed (£11m).
• Report to the Board of Trustees and work with executive team.
• Strengthen financial sustainability and diversify income.
• Grow audiences and maximise impact of heritage assets.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Income generation

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Not-for-profit sector experience

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration

Tools

CRM & fundraising software

Job description

Location: Discovery Point, Discovery Quay, DD2 4XA

Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT) is a highly regarded heritage charity responsible for some of Dundee’s most significant and internationally recognised attractions, including RRS Discovery, Discovery Point and Verdant Works. Through its heritage, collections, learning and visitor experiences, the Trust connects people with Dundee’s rich industrial and maritime history and creates opportunities for learning, inspiration and engagement.

The Trust is now seeking a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organisation into an exciting new phase of transformation, growth and development. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering the Trust’s strategic direction, strengthening financial sustainability, growing audiences and income, and maximising the impact of its world-class heritage assets.

Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will provide strong, visible and collaborative leadership across DHT, working closely with the Chair, Trustees, Executive Management Team and wider staff team. They will ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable, operationally effective and focused on delivering its charitable objectives, while creating a positive and high-performing culture where people are valued, empowered and accountable.

A major priority for the incoming CEO will be leading the Trust through a significant period of transformation, including the Discovery Point Transformed project, representing an investment of approximately £11 million. This ambitious project provides an opportunity to transform the visitor experience at Discovery Point, strengthen the Trust’s commercial and learning offer, attract new audiences and help secure the long-term future of RRS Discovery. The CEO will play a key role in ensuring this investment delivers lasting heritage, visitor, community and financial benefits for the organisation.

Financial sustainability and growth will also be central to the role. The CEO will work closely with the Finance, Commercial and Development teams to strengthen and diversify income streams across admissions, commercial activity, grants, donations and high-net-worth fundraising. They will provide strategic oversight of financial performance, cash, reserves and investment, while identifying new opportunities for sustainable growth and ensuring that commercial activity remains aligned with the Trust’s charitable purpose.

To succeed in this role, you will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record of strategic and organisational leadership, financial management, income generation and people development. You will bring the ability to balance commercial opportunities with charitable purpose and will be comfortable operating at Board level and working across a diverse range of stakeholders.

You will be a strategic and creative thinker who can translate ambition into practical delivery, combined with strong communication, influencing and decision-making skills. Experience within the arts, culture, heritage, museum, visitor attraction, charity or wider not-for-profit sector will be highly relevant, alongside experience of leading change, major projects, fundraising and developing sustainable income.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and values-led leader to shape the future of one of Scotland’s most distinctive heritage organisations. With significant heritage assets, a committed team and a major capital investment programme underway, the incoming CEO will have a unique opportunity to protect the past, transform the present and build a sustainable future for Dundee Heritage Trust.

Interview Date:

W/C 12 th October

Application Deadline: Tuesday 06/10/2026