Collections & House Manager

Summary Are you excited by the challenge of balancing excellent conservation and presentation standards with an inspiring visitor experience? We are looking for a Collections & House Manager who is passionate about delivering all of this.

Our houses and collections are a fundamental part of our work, this role will be pivotal in delivering consistently high standards of collections management and care and delivering an innovative approach to the stories we tell.

**This is a Key Representative post,** which means you’ll take part (on a rota of one in three weeks) in the “on-call” response out of hours for The Argory and Ardress House. An apartment is provided full-time for you at The Argory, to deliver your role(for the proper or better performance of your duties in accordance with Trust criteria and HMRC rules). The role will also require some weekend, bank holiday and evening work.

What it's like to work here This role will cover all the Mid Ulster portfolio of properties, which stretch from Strabane to Newry in Northern Ireland; a combination of country houses (The Argory, Springhill & Ardress House), parkland (including Derrymore Houseand Demesne), an island (Coney Island) and industrial heritage buildings (Wellbrook Beetling Mill and Gray’s Printing Press). Your primary location will be at The Argory; you’ll be working across the portfolio, so expect to be spending time at several siteseach week, so you will need to travel independently. What you'll be doing Working as part of the property leadership team, you’ll help to develop the vision for the properties we care for in collaboration with the other members of the team. You’ll work withour internal consultants who provide specialised expertise (particularly conservators and curators) to ensure we are always delivering to the highest standard.You’ll provide leadership to the collection and house teams across Mid Ulster, developing a lively and engaging house experience, delivering high quality presentation, interpretation and collections care. You’ll be responsible for all elements of the visitorexperience programme where it relates to the cultural assets within your properties. The portfolio includes a visitor experience manager who you will be working closely with to create and deliver an innovative and fresh programme plan for the portfolio.

**Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.**

Who we're looking for
- Understanding of collections care and conservation and experience of managing historic collections and properties, including an awareness of Museum Accreditation standards.
- As an inspirational leader, you’ll know how to get the best out of your team, motivating them and developing them, as well as managing volunteers.
- You have the skills to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.You also have strong skills in advocacy and building partnerships with regional colleagues and partners.
- You are able to lead for innovative, inclusive, and accessible histories and interpretation. You understand the needs of a wide range of different audiences, to deliver creative, accessible, and layered content to reveal the meanings of collections andplaces to meet these needs. You also have proven knowledge of visitor experience.
- Experienced in the management of relevant compliance, health and safety and emergency procedures.
- Good business planning and organisational skills
- Experience in the management and setting of budgets and excellent verbal and communication skills.
The package The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audienceswe serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you - and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

- Flexible working whenever possible
- Free parking at most locations
- Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.