Museum Engagement Officer (Part time 29.6 hours per week) in Poole

Starting salary for this role is £34,434 (pro rata for part-time colleagues). This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Be part of a forward-thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

About The Role

We are looking for a Museum Engagement Officer to support the planning and delivery of engagement activity across our museum sites and programmes. This is a broad engagement role based within a cultural and visitor-focused service, working across public programmes, interpretation and audience engagement. The post combines creative programme development with hands-on delivery, operating in environments where collections, exhibitions or cultural content form the basis of the visitor experience, and where appropriate care and handling of materials is an important part of day-to-day activity. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a public-facing cultural setting, contributing to meaningful engagement with a wide range of audiences and supporting access, enjoyment and participation across our offer.

You Will

• Plan and deliver engaging participation activity for a wide range of audiences.
• Develop and deliver activities informed by collections, exhibitions or cultural themes, adapting content for different audiences and settings.
• Support public programmes, events, seasonal activity and facilitated experiences at museum sites and external venues.
• Contribute to interpretation and engagement content that helps visitors and supporters connect with displays, objects and exhibitions.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to ensure engagement activity is accurate, inclusive and appropriate for the setting, with due regard for the care, handling and presentation of collections.
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activity to inform future planning and continuous improvement.
• Support the involvement of volunteers or freelance staff involved in delivering engagement activity.

Regular evening and weekend working forms part of the normal working pattern for this role.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone with experience delivering public engagement activity within cultural, heritage, museums, or visitor-centred environments, who is confident adapting content for different audiences and contexts.

You Will Be Able To Demonstrate

• Experience working in a cultural, heritage, museum, arts or visitor-focused organisation, where collections, objects or culturally significant material form part of the public offer.
• An awareness of working with or around collections, including an understanding of appropriate handling, care considerations and working within established procedures.
• Experience designing and delivering activities or programmes linked to exhibitions, cultural content or place-based themes.
• An understanding of working in public-facing settings, including facilitation, group management, and creating inclusive, welcoming experiences.
• The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences and adapt delivery styles accordingly.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload across multiple programmes or sites.

It Would Also Be Helpful If You Have

• Experience contributing to interpretation, displays or engagement resources.
• Experience working with partners, community groups or participation organisations.
• An understanding of inclusive engagement practice and widening access to cultural participation.

Additional Information

The role involves travel across museum sites and external venues within the BCP area and occasionally further afield. Lone working may be required at times. Work may take place in historic buildings or gallery environments with specific physical or environmental constraints. Manual handling of equipment and resources may be required as part of session delivery. Evidence of experience in cultural / heritage environments will be expected for shortlisting. Transferable experience alone is unlikely to meet criteria.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping how people engage with culture, place and shared heritage across our museum service. You’ll work as part of a small, collaborative team, contributing creatively to public programmes and engagement activity while helping make museums welcoming, relevant and accessible spaces for all.

Hours and Details

• 4 days per week / 29.6 hours
• Weekend working essential
• Based at Poole Museum with occasional travel across the region
• Salary aligned to BCP Council’s Learning Officer II role profile

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

Inclusion and Accessibility

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work. We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of coastline. We offer career defining roles to transform and improve services.

Our Benefits: A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council. We’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.