Heritage Museum Director: Growth & Transformation Lead

GREAT WESTERN SOCIETY LIMITED; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Didcot Railway Centre, home of the Great Western Society, seeks an experienced Museum Director to lead the organisation, deliver strategic growth, and ensure the long-term sustainability of this nationally significant heritage site.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Director will oversee a diverse senior team across commercial activity, visitor experience, curatorial work, restoration, operations and business support.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ senior leadership in a museum, heritage site, or visitor attraction.
• Proven success managing and growing operating budgets.
• Strong track record improving commercial and trading performance.
• Experience managing staff recruitment, development, and performance.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Understanding of museum accreditation, safeguarding, licensing, and H&S requirements.
• Commitment to on-site leadership and being a visible role model.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Experience working directly with a Trustee Board.
• Experience delivering major change projects or grant-funded programmes.
• Project management or contractor oversight experience.
• Charity sector experience.
• Marketing and communications experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead organisational strategy and business planning with the Board of Trustees.
• Manage capital and revenue budgets and deliver strong financial performance.
• Oversee curatorial standards, accreditation, and development of the historic GWR collections.
• Enhance visitor experience, learning programmes, and commercial opportunities.
• Act as the organisation’s principal representative and spokesperson.
• Ensure a safe, welcoming environment for staff, volunteers, visitors, and collections.
• Build strong relationships with partners, communities, museums, and local authorities.
• Lead and motivate staff and volunteers across all operational areas.

Skills

Senior leadership

Budget management

Commercial growth

Staff recruitment

Volunteer management

Museum accreditation

Equity & inclusion

Trustee Board experience

Change projects

Contractor oversight

Charity sector experience

Marketing & communications

Job description

Didcot Railway Centre, home of the Great Western Society, seeks an experienced Museum Director to lead the organisation, deliver strategic growth, and ensure the long-term sustainability of this nationally significant heritage site.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Director will oversee a diverse senior team across commercial activity, visitor experience, curatorial work, restoration, operations and business support.