Senior Duty Manager

www.nationalmuseums.org.uk - Jobboard; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading museum group as a Senior Duty Manager, where you will lead a team to ensure operational excellence in a public-facing environment. Your role will involve strategic management, incident response, and creating an inclusive space for staff and visitors, with ample opportunities for personal and professional development.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Health & Dental Insurance

Access to employee assistance programmes

Enhanced contributory pension

Interest-free loans

Free entry to exhibitions

Qualifications

• Experience in duty management.
• Ability to lead empathetically and communicate effectively.
• Skills in handling team and people-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Duty Managers to ensure smooth museum operations.
• Support the Operations Manager with strategic management and incident control.
• Provide operational oversight during museum events.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

Are you skilled in team leadership and effectively navigating busy, public-facing environments? Would you like to represent Science Museum Group as a senior point of contact, helping to deliver safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for all?

About us

The Science Museum Group (SMG) encompasses the Science Museum, the National Railway Museum, the Science & Industry Museum, the Science & Media Museum, Locomotion, and the Science and Innovation Park. Making us the world’s greatest alliance of science museums.

Our Operations teams are committed to providing a safe, accessible, and engaging environment in our museums, making us truly open for all. As a Senior Duty Manager, your support for the Operations team will be essential in progressing towards this goal.

In this role

As Senior Duty Manager, you will lead a team of four Duty Managers to provide high-quality operational support and ensure the Museum operations run smoothly all year round. You will support the Operations Manager and team with strategic management, planning, incident control, and providing operational oversight during museum events.

The role is advertised for 35 hours per week, working Monday to Sunday from 09:30-17:00, with weekend work on a two-week rolling rota.

About you

We’re keen to see applications from candidates who thrive in active, public-facing environments and bring an organised, solutions-focused approach to operational leadership. You'll have experience in duty management and be skilled in making day-to-day decisions that balance service delivery, team wellbeing, and safety.

You’ll be someone who can support and develop staff, handle people-related issues, and step up to deputise for the Operations Manager when needed. We're looking for those who lead with empathy, communicate clearly, and effectively respond to changing circumstances. Experience managing projects, working cross-functionally, or leading on recruitment would be a bonus, but above all, we’re looking for values-led individuals who are committed to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for both staff and visitors.

If you have a community-oriented mindset that aligns with this environment and you are committed to creating safe, welcoming, and interactive spaces, we invite you to apply!

Don’t feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn’t match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this or other opportunities that we have.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.

What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you’ll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

• Meaningful work. We’re a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
• Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
• Work/life balance. We offer 27 days of annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
• Health & Dental Insurance. Extra peace of mind, from day one.
• Wellbeing. Access to employee assistance programmes, the Unmind app, and other wellbeing support.
• Colleague networks. Informal forums to discuss topics of shared interest, exchange ideas, socialise, and build community.
• Enhanced contributory pension. To support your future savings.
• Interest-free loans. For life events or home improvements.
• Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in shops and cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.

Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group’s five core values and reflects our aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are committed to understanding our organisation better and developing a culture that values diverse backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. We believe that greater diversity makes us a stronger and better organisation capable of continuing to Inspire Futures.