Head of National Programmes

About Us

We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.  

Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.

We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.

Diversity and inclusion matter to us.

Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.

We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

About the role

The Head of National Programmes will be responsible for building and sustaining national partnerships, working strategically with internal and external stakeholders, developing impactful programmes and activities that deliver benefit for audiences and institutions. The post holder will be responsible for delivering the National Programmes Strategy, and will work with colleagues across the Museum and with external stakeholders to build understanding and impact of NHM’s UK work.

This role reports to the Head of Learning and National and will work closely with teams in Engagement, Science and the Directorate.

Responsibilities 

• Lead the implementation of the National Programmes Strategy, working with teams across the Museum to ensure alignment and buy-in
• Work closely with senior Science Group stakeholders to ensure cohesion and alignment with regards to collections, science and public engagement activity to maximise efficiency and opportunity
• Lead on collating and reporting of cross-Museum national activity to Government, funders and other stakeholders
• Represent the Museum in conversations with DCMS, funders and other external stakeholders, advocating for the Museum’s impact and value
• Build partnerships and collaborations with key national partner organisations including museums, science and discovery centres, botanical gardens and NGOs to support the delivery of the national programme and seek opportunities to build capacity and capability between partner organisations
• Lead the Fixing Our Broken Planet Community of Practice, a network of 150+ museum teams, scientists, researchers, cultural practitioners and youth engagement experts who collaborate and exchange knowledge on how to engage audiences with the planetary emergency
• Oversee the final year of delivery of Explore: Urban Nature, the national schools programme for the Urban Nature Project working in partnership with 12 museums. With partners, develop ideas of what we can do in the future, share lessons with others to maintain the benefits after the project.
• Deliver the next stage of Dippy long-term loan, leading decision making including with Executive Board at NHM, calls with partners and supporting host institution to maximise impact and generating positive benefit
• Nurture the Real World Science network, identifying opportunities for growth and support
• Manage the National Programmes budgets (provided in large part by external funders), plan financial estimates and resources required to deliver the National Programmes Strategy
• Supporting NHM Unlocked as another national site
• Manage the National Programmes team
• As part of the Public Programmes Leadership Team proactively contribute to the successful delivery of the activities of the Department

About you

Join our team at the National History Museum (NHM) where your extensive experience in building strategic partnerships and networks will be invaluable as we collaborate with communities and networks across the UK to create advocates for the planet. 

Your understanding of current cultural sector issues and government policies affecting museums will inform our strategic direction and ensure alignment with broader objectives. 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills will enable you to build rapport and support across a diverse range of stakeholders. You'll have the opportunity to craft strategies and implementation plans, driving forward our mission with clarity and conviction.

In addition to your communication skills you'll be a skilled collaborator, facilitating relationships and managing external partnerships. Your ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences will be critical in developing mutually beneficial partnerships. 

With a track record of securing funding, you'll play a key role in sustaining our activities and driving future growth. You will lead and motivate a team with a diverse set of skills and experiences. Your ability to define project objectives, outcomes, and costs will be instrumental in ensuring successful delivery within time and budget. Your interest in science and nature will help you lead and collaborate with key stakeholders . 

Thriving at the Museum: the way we work

We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

Find out more  here

What we offer

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
• Life insurance
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
• We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300  English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit  cssc.co.uk
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi

Hybrid working

We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first-hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events.  We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.

Closing date: 23:59, 4th June 2024

Interviews expected: w/c 17th June 2024

Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.