General Manager & Curator - Dinosaur Isle

Isle of Wight Council; Thorley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local heritage service is seeking a General Manager / Curator to lead Dinosaur Isle Museum, an important tourist attraction. The role requires extensive experience in managing cultural organisations and the ability to create sustainable business plans. The right candidate will enhance visitor experiences and secure funding for museum development. A positive attitude and capability to work evenings and weekends are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven financial skills of managing budgets and reviewing performance.
• Experience of guiding a busy team, volunteers, and friends' organisation.
• Experience of managing workplace risks and leading on health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management and development of Dinosaur Isle Museum.
• Create a sustainable business plan for the museum.
• Maximise visitor numbers and secure grants for museum displays.

Skills

Financial skills for managing budgets

Experience guiding a team

Managing workplace risks

Knowledge of Museum Accreditation scheme

Positive 'can do' attitude

Job description

37 hours per week

Overview

The Isle of Wight Heritage Service is looking for a General Manager / Curator to lead the management and development of Dinosaur Isle. Located on Sandown seafront on the Isle of Wight, Dinosaur Isle Museum is widely regarded as the home of the most important dinosaur collection in the United Kingdom, (outside of the national collection). The museum holds a collection of over 35,000 specimens which records the 130 million year story of the Island. Dinosaur Isle is an Accredited Museum it welcomes over 50,000 visitors a year and is an important tourist attraction for the Isle of Wight.

About the role

We are looking to recruit an individual who has extensive experience of managing a tourist attraction, cultural organisation or museum; who can work with colleagues and partners to create a sustainable business plan for the museum and it’s collections. The museum is currently undergoing building improvements funded by the Arts Council’s Museum Estate and Development fund. We are looking for an individual who can lead the museum forward, maximising visitor numbers, securing grants to develop the museum displays and work to ensure Museum Accreditation status is maintained.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Proven financial skills of managing budgets and reviewing performance and creating marketing plans
• Experience of guiding a busy team, volunteers and friend’s organisation. Someone who is confident and skilled in strengthening internal and external networks
• Experience of managing workplace risks and leading on health and safety for the museum
• Knowledge of the Museum Accreditation scheme, museum documentation and collections management procedures
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude who can work evenings and provide duty manager cover at weekends when required