Visitor Experience and Learning Manager

Visitor Experience and Learning Manager – Job Description

Location:
Dr Jenner's House, Church Lane, Berkeley, Gloucestershire

Reports to:
Museum Director

Employment Type:
Part Time (0.8 FTE), Permanent (following successful completion of probation period).

Hours:
30 hours per week (0.8 FTE). We support flexible and hybrid working arrangements for the administrative elements of the role, but site presence is essential to deliver the core duties, especially during the open season.

Salary
: £30,000 FTE, Pro Rata. (£24,000 at 0.8 FTE).

About Dr Jenner's House

Dr Jenner's House, The Chantry, is a site of profound global historical significance, recognized as the birthplace of vaccination. It was here that Edward Jenner, a country doctor and enlightenment figure, conducted his groundbreaking work in the 1790s, leading to the world's first vaccine and a medical breakthrough that forever changed humanity.

The Jenner Trust, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered charity number , is dedicated to preserving this unique heritage. We operate the museum, provide educational facilities exploring the history and impact of vaccination, and manage a one-acre site encompassing two Grade II* listed structures (The Chantry and Temple of Vaccinia), along with the Cyder House, which serves as our offices and conference centre. We welcome over 4,000 visitors annually and host a variety of school visits, events, and conferences. We are a small team of staff supported by a passionate volunteer team who care for the site and welcome our guests.

This is an exceptionally exciting period for our organisation. We have recently been honoured as a "2024 Place of Science" by the Royal Society, our UNESCO World Heritage Status bid is progressing, and we are delighted to have been successful in obtaining a substantial grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to expand our team and initiate crucial restoration work on the site. With a new Chairman, a strong team of Trustees, a newly appointed Museum Director and Development Manager, and a growing base of dedicated volunteers, we are poised for significant growth and impact.

The Opportunity

The Jenner Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive
Visitor Experience and Learning Manager
to be the operational heart of the museum. This pivotal role ensures a high-quality visitor experience, effective day-to-day operations, and successful volunteer management, whilst also
delivering and promoting our vital learning and engagement programmes.

Working collaboratively with the Museum Director, this post is responsible for the site's smooth running, managing the volunteer rota, and acting as the primary deliverer of our educational offer to ensure the preservation and educational outreach of Dr Jenner's House.

Key Responsibilities

As our Visitor Experience and Learning Manager, you will:

Operational Management & Visitor Experience

• Oversee and co-ordinate the daily operation of the museum to consistently deliver maximum visitor enjoyment and quality presentation standards.
• Act as the person responsible for the site when the Museum Director may not be on site, dealing with and co-ordinating appropriate responses to a wide range of issues.
• Handle and resolve visitor concerns and act as the first point of contact for any queries that others are unable to resolve directly.
• Maintain high presentation standards across the site and ensure that any maintenance tasks and repairs are reported in a timely manner, followed up, and dealt with effectively.
• Act as the designated Site Safeguarding Lead (or deputise for the Museum Director), maintaining up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding policies for children and vulnerable adults, and ensuring all front-of-house staff and volunteers are compliant with required training and reporting procedures.

Volunteer Management & Leadership

• Lead the recruitment, rostering, training, and daily co-ordination of our team of Front of House Volunteers and other volunteers teams.
• Start each day with a verbal briefing to our volunteers and maintain a highly visible, hands-on role throughout the day.
• Ensure that all areas of the visitor experience are adequately resourced throughout the day through effective rostering and team management.
• Work with the Director and Trustees on strategic development of the Trust and Museum.

Learning, Engagement, & Marketing

• Develop and deliver a varied and engaging programme of learning activities and workshops for diverse audiences (e.g., schools, families, adults, HE/FE groups, professional audiences).
• Act as the primary contact for all school and group bookings, handling enquiries, customising visits, and managing the annual booking calendar.
• Manage the logistics for all learning and public events, including scheduling, resource preparation, and day-of delivery support.
• Assist with external communications and promotion of all public programmes, events, and learning activities, supplying copy and imagery for the website and social media.
• Seek opportunities for outreach into our core communities, including work experience placements, virtual education opportunities, working closely with community partners and education providers.

Site Management

• Be responsible for the
  health, safety, and security
  of the museum, ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation and Trust policies, including weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual compliance checks and associated records.
• Manage the opening (unlocking the House and Garden) and closing (securing the site) routines each day.
• Work with the collections volunteers to ensure we are following our policies relating to care of collections.
• Act as the primary 'on call' member of staff, as part of a cascade list of other key holders, ensuring adequate cover is in place when you are not available. Compensation for call outs will be made.
• Work collaboratively with Museum Director and the Development Manager to seek opportunities for income generation critical to the success of the Trust, through commercial opportunities, increasing ticket sales, and fundraising activities.

Skills and Experience

Dr Jenner's House is committed to being an inclusive employer and would welcome applications from those who, although may not meet all our preferred criteria, can demonstrate equivalent experience or skills.

Essential:

• Proven experience in a visitor-facing or operational management role within the cultural or heritage sector.
• Demonstrable skills in successfully recruiting, training, and motivating a team, particularly volunteers.
• Practical experience in developing and delivering engaging learning or public engagement activities.
• A strong understanding of best practice in customer service.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and build rapport with diverse audiences.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements within a visitor-facing environment (or willingness to receive training).
• This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check due to the requirement to engage with children and vulnerable adults, including leading school groups.

Desirable:

• Experience with school/group bookings and educational tour logistics.
• Full First Aid at Work & Fire Safety certificate (or willingness to obtain the qualification).
• Experience in marketing programmes and events to achieve attendance targets.
• Hold a recent (within the last 3 years) certificate in Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic & Energetic:
  A proactive and positive approach to daily challenges.
• Adaptable & Reliable:
  Ability to thrive in a small, dynamic team environment and take initiative.
• Team Player:
  Happy to collaborate and contribute across various organisational activities.
• Problem-Solver:
  Has good initiative and sound judgment to make appropriate decisions and resolve issues independently.
• Committed:
  A genuine passion for heritage, education, science, and the mission of Dr Jenner's House.

General Information

This job description outlines the primary responsibilities and outcomes of the role and may be updated periodically to reflect evolving organisational needs. Other reasonable duties required for the safe and successful running of the museum may be required by your line manager at times. All duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Dr Jenner Trust policies and procedures, within applicable legislation, and with due regard for the needs of our visitors and the diverse community we serve.

Dr Jenner's House is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the rich tapestry of our global heritage. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.