Consultant vacancies – Powell-Cotton Museum

Aim Museums; Birchington; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Powell-Cotton Trust in Kent is seeking two consultants to support a National Lottery Heritage Funded project. One to develop the Business Plan and another to lead Audience Development, each on a £20,000 contract. Proposals from one firm or associates are welcome, for a total contract of £40,000.

Work will focus on improving visitor experience, engagement and sustainability for the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens, with start asap after appointment.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering business plans for charities or heritage sites.
• Experience with audience development strategies.
• Ability to manage projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research for the Business Plan and audience development brief.
• Develop and document a robust Audience Development plan and timelines.
• Outline methodology, milestones and cost structure for the briefs.

Skills

Business planning

Audience development

Research methods

Proposal writing

Job description

Job Title: Business Planning Consultant / Audience Development Consultant

Location: Quex Park and Gardens, Kent CT7 0BH

The Powell-Cotton Trust (PCT) is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered charity (no. 1167318) established in 2016 to govern the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens. It replaces earlier charitable bodies, which have been in existence in one form or another since 1926.

2026 marks the centenary of the establishment of a Charity to govern the Museum, and it is an opportunity to reflect on the past, to learn from the collection and our communities, to embed good practice and sector leadership that enable us to secure the success of the next 100+ years of the Trust.

As such, the Trust is embarking on a National Lottery Heritage Funded project to strengthen the long-term sustainability, resilience and relevance of the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens.

The project focuses on two interconnected strategic challenges:

• Improving visitor experience, engagement and audience growth.
• Enhancing organisational sustainability through strengthened infrastructure, governance, business planning, people and financial resilience.

We are looking for two consultants to assist with the Business Plan research and development (£20,000 contract), and an Audience Development consultant (£20,000 contract). We will consider proposals from one consultancy firm or associates to address both briefs (a total contract of £40,000).

• A short description of relevant experience and previous projects.
• Outline methodology and timetable for delivery.
• Proposed fee structure (excl of VAT but inc expenses).
• Confirmation of public/professional liability insurance.

It is hoped the successful candidate/s will be able to begin work on this project asap after appointment.