Experience & Visitor Programming Manager - Solihull

The National Trust; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent national organization seeks an Experience & Visitor Programming Manager to oversee visitor experiences across multiple sites. The role involves leading a team, creating engaging public programs, and ensuring accessibility for all visitors. Candidates should have strong skills in team leadership, budget management, and event planning. The position offers a salary and additional benefits including a substantial pension scheme, flexible working options, and discounts on various services. This is a maternity cover position expected to last until September 2026.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at Trust places

Qualifications

• Experience managing budgets and monitoring costs effectively.
• Proven ability to lead and support a team in a positive environment.
• Experience planning and delivering events for diverse audiences.
• Collaborative work across teams to achieve shared goals.
• Skilled at working with partners for joint projects.
• Understanding of making places welcoming for everyone.
• Ability to support teams through changes while maintaining morale.
• Skill in creating actionable plans that deliver results.

Responsibilities

• Lead creation of engaging visitor experiences.
• Shape and deliver the visitor plan using audience insights.
• Ensure collections are cared for to high standards.
• Inspire curiosity and connection through activities.
• Find ways to reach new audiences and ensure inclusivity.

Skills

Budget management

Team leadership

Event planning

Collaboration

External partnership development

Access and inclusion understanding

Change management

Strategic planning

Job description

Experience & Visitor Programming Manager - Solihull

Summary

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

We’re looking for someone who cares deeply about achieving high standards and helping to make beauty and history accessible to all, to join the team as Experience & Visitor Programming Manager at the North Warwickshire Portfolio; Baddesley Clinton, Charlecote Park and Packwood House. This vacancy is a maternity cover until September 2026.

This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 9 months.

What it's like to work here

As the Experience & Visitor Programming Manager for the North Warwickshire portfolio, you’ll be working across all three properties and be part of the leadership team. You’ll need to be visible to your team with a minimum of one day per week per property. You’ll line manage a portfolio team of 6 staff working across all three sites made up of the programming and events, marcomms and community and volunteering teams.

You’ll required to be based at property - working 5 days over a 7-day working week which will include weekends and Bank Holidays. You’ll also have duty management responsibilities.

What you'll be doing

You’ll lead the creation of visitor experiences that put people at the heart of everything we do, helping us grow, engage, and deliver real public benefit. Working closely with the wider team, you’ll shape and deliver our visitor plan, using audience insight to guide programming, interpretation, and service. You’ll also make sure our collections are cared for and presented to the highest standards.

As part of the leadership team, you’ll combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery. Your role will be about inspiring curiosity and connection, creating activities and experiences that tell the story of this special place and make every visit enjoyable. You’ll keep looking for fresh ideas and ways to improve, ensuring what we offer is engaging, relevant, and fun.

You’ll also think beyond our current visitors, finding ways to reach new audiences and make everyone feel welcome.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below :

• experience of managing budgets and monitoring costs to ensure resources are used effectively
• proven ability to lead and support a team, creating an inclusive and positive working environment
• experience of planning and delivering events or activities that engage a wide range of audiences
• ability to work collaboratively across teams and build strong relationships to achieve shared goals
• skilled at working with external partners to develop opportunities and deliver joint projects
• understanding of access and inclusion, with experience of making places welcoming for everyone
• experience of building and supporting teams through change to maintain stability and morale
• ability to create clear plans or strategies that turn ideas into practical actions and deliver results

Criteria for all other applicants :

We’d love to hear from you if you’re :

• experienced in devising and running programmes of experiences for visitors
• highly aware of the wider programming sector, up‑to‑date with trends and great examples
• an inspiring leader, skilled in developing and motivating your team, and setting strategic goals
• good at creating productive working relationships with a wide range of people, both internal and external
• a skilled project manager, able to make decisions and work effectively at pace, completing work on time and on budget
• highly experienced in managing operational risk.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

Flexible working whenever possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

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