Interim Director

ArtsJobs; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

An established cultural institution is seeking an Interim Director to lead its operations and fundraising efforts for a six-month period. This role offers the opportunity to implement strategic plans, manage staff and volunteers, and develop partnerships with external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial acumen, proven leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the heritage sector. This position promises a dynamic work environment where your contributions can significantly impact the future of this iconic site. If you are passionate about cultural heritage and have a track record of successful fundraising, this is an exciting opportunity to make a difference.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership skills and extensive experience in financial management.
• Significant fundraising experience with cultural/heritage organisations.

Responsibilities

• Implement operational plans and grant deliverables for 2025.
• Act as the principal ambassador, maintaining relationships with key bodies.
• Oversee marketing and communications plans execution.

Skills

Fundraising Skills

Financial Management

Marketing Experience

Leadership Skills

Stakeholder Negotiation

IT Literacy

Job description

Wed, 30 Apr 2025">published - Wed, 30 Apr 2025

Job Summary

Strawberry Hill House & Garden is seeking an Interim Director for the 'home of Gothic''. The position is for an initial period of six months.

Job Description

Reporting to: Chair and Trustees of the Strawberry Hill Trust Board

Salary package: Starting at £60,000 pa pro rata depending on experience

Location: Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham TW1 4ST

Strawberry Hill House, designed and built by Horace Walpole from two modest houses into his own 'little Gothic castle', has been the subject of much interest as a residence and, more recently, as a museum, from the 18th century to the present day. Extensively restored thanks to the Strawberry Hill Trust's £10m restoration with substantial grants from National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), English Heritage, the World Monuments Fund and generous donations from trusts and individuals, the Grade I listed House reopened to the public in 2010. Today Strawberry Hill House & Garden provides the visitor with a unique insight into the world of Horace Walpole and his friends, whose efforts produced the style of Strawberry Hill Gothic with its mystery, magic and ground-breaking impact.

The incoming Interim Director should have the ability and experience to be an effective fundraiser, maximising opportunities for support, and to maintain and develop partnerships with a wide range of external stakeholders. In particular, they should have grant funding experience to ensure the current grant activity is completed and reports undertaken for the funder, including an audience development and evaluation plan.

They will need to implement the current plans which are part of an NLHF project and evaluate them as well as looking for further income and funding opportunities with the wider team.

The position is for a minimum 6-month period, with the possibility to extend. It is a full-time role, with some flexibility possible for the right candidate, and will involve some weekend and evening work. It is based at Strawberry Hill House, so easy access to SW London would be an advantage.

Job Requirements

The Board seeks candidates with strong strategic and operational business skills. They will be good managers of staff and volunteers, and will have experience of delivering and completing successful grant funded projects.

They will also be sound financial managers with successful fundraising skills and an ability to develop the marketing strategy for the organisation to increase visitor numbers year on year. They will be flexible and sensitive to the requirements of the Trustees and have a strong awareness of the need for good governance at all times.

Essential attributes

• Proven leadership skills
• Extensive experience in financial management
• Significant fundraising experience, and understanding of the fundraising climate for cultural/heritage organisations
• Experience of working with, and negotiating with, external stakeholders
• An understanding of the museum/heritage world
• IT literacy
• Marketing experience

Job Responsibilities

The key elements of the role are:

1 Strategy and Finance: Implementing operation plans and grant activity deliverables for 2025, and developing the 3-year Business Plan with the Board, staff and volunteers.

2 Providing leadership, coaching and strategic vision to the team (currently 9) and volunteers (currently about 200).

3 Fundraising: Acting as the principal ambassador of Strawberry Hill House, maintaining and developing relationships with key bodies including the NLHF, the Arts Council England, local partner organisations, donors and sponsors in the UK and internationally, educational establishments, the Charity Commission and the media.

4 Marketing: overseeing the execution of current marketing and communications plans.

5. Governance: Working with the Board and team to to ensure Strawberry Hill House has a financially sustainable and safe future, including compliance with laws governing charities, human resources and Health & Safety

In making an application, you are asked to submit:
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae (3 pages maximum) giving details of relevant achievements in recent posts;
• A (maximum two page) supporting statement that summarises your interest in this post and provides evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in this brief;
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: close of business on Friday 16th May 2025
Interviews are scheduled for Thursday 22nd May 2025
We would prefer to receive applications electronically and they should be sent to: [e-mail]