Cultural Engagement Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; West Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

This post is externally funded by Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). Kirklees Museums and Galleries is proud to have been awarded Arts Council England NPO status for 2023-26, one of eight NPOs in Kirklees, and this role is externally funded from that award. As a local authority museums service and an NPO, our funding is thanks to taxpayers and Heritage Lottery players, which has a huge part in supporting our work.

Further location details: Hybrid working from home and other council office space as required. Flexible but ideally to include Tuesday to Thursday. Includes some evening and weekend working.

This is an exciting opportunity to support Kirklees Museums and Galleries in the development of its ambitious vision, especially in engaging with communities, fundraising to support major projects and delivering wide-ranging learning and visitor programmes.

You will line manage two NPO funded postholders (the Digital Engagement Officer and Content Creator), and you will be responsible for maintaining an overview of their work in line with our Digital Strategy. See staff structure diagram in the Job Profile and the Focus Sheet for how this role complements the responsibilities of the substantive Cultural Engagement Officer in the team.

This post will focus on building and diversifying audiences through highly effective engagement and communication, and the development of co-production opportunities. You will support the service to deliver the priorities of Kirklees Council to meet the needs of local residents and visitors, and to care for, promote and enhance our unique heritage buildings, gardens, landscape and collections.

We are looking for a confident, enthusiastic and experienced team player with experience of working in the heritage sector and with great communication and digital skills. Working collaboratively with partners, key stakeholders and the local community will be an essential skill. You will be able to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences, including visitors, community groups, volunteers, friends’ organisations, businesses, elected members and educational institutions.

The purpose of Kirklees Museums and Galleries is to share amazing stories of past and present to inspire the future of Kirklees. The service helps people to understand their heritage through engaging with collections, stories and sites.

The service in the heart of West Yorkshire cares for Oakwell Hall and Country Park in Birstall, Bagshaw Museum in Batley, Huddersfield Art Gallery, currently occupying Unit 7 on the Piazza in Huddersfield and Tolson Museum in Huddersfield. We deliver a lively programme of formal and informal learning, including a schools programme meeting the key elements of the National Curriculum, public events and exhibitions linked to the collections and stories of the area, as well as volunteer and outreach programmes, which support skills development, well-being and enjoyment.

Kirklees is a desirable place to live, work and enjoy and is conveniently located, with excellent transport links across the country and particularly to Leeds and Manchester, together with easy access to glorious Pennine landscapes, vibrant cultural activity and the creative and historic towns and villages of the area.

Interviews are expected to take place on the 15th of May.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.