At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead teams to create unforgettable visitor experiences at Hampshire's cultural venues.
- Company: Join Hampshire Cultural Trust, a leader in enriching community culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, generous pension, and health perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on culture while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large venues and leading diverse teams.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 48000 £ per year.
Level: 2B
Salary: £42,000.00 - £48,000.00 per annum depending on skill and experience
Location: Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, with travel to other HCT venues countywide as required
Hours: 37 hours per week
Type of Contract: Permanent
Referral Category: A
Job Description: General Manager, Milestones Museum and Basing House
Do you have the vision and leadership to inspire teams and deliver outstanding visitor experiences at one of Hampshire’s flagship cultural venues? As General Manager, you’ll lead the delivery of exceptional visitor experiences and operational excellence across our flagship venue and a satellite heritage site. You’ll drive commercial and financial performance, motivate and develop high‑performing teams, and work collaboratively with colleagues across multiple departments, including central teams, to achieve ambitious KPIs. Reporting to the Head of Venue Operations, this is a key leadership role supporting Hampshire Cultural Trust’s 2030 strategy.
A bit about you
- You’ll bring substantial experience of managing a large, multidisciplinary venue or a portfolio of venues within customer facing operations.
- You have a strong track record of leading high performing operational teams to deliver engaging programmes for diverse audiences, events and commercial hires.
- Commercially astute and financially confident, you are experienced in budget management and P&L accountability.
- You are also a clear and credible communicator who builds strong, productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Who we are
At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 20+ attractions and deliver county-wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture. We promote equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work and we encourage and support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our staff. We are inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Therefore, we are committed to implementing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities in our recruitment process and in employment.
The benefits of working for us:
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro-rated for part time working)
- 7.5% Employer pension contributions
- Generous occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Emergency leave scheme
- Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)
- Industry leading Employee Assistance Programme
- Interest‑free Season ticket loans and travel loans from first day of employment
- Charity Worker Discounts Scheme (savings on retail, leisure, groceries, travel etc.)
- Access to same day GP appointments for employees and their immediate family
- Access to free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses for VDU use
- Free flu vaccination vouchers
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cash Plan (cashback on dental, optical, medical for monthly subscription cost)
- Opportunities to learn, develop and progress
- Free tea and coffee in all our venues
- Team Card - Free access to our fee paying venues and discounts across café and retail.
To apply please fill in the application form with an up‑to‑date CV. We do not require covering letters for this position however would be grateful to receive context to your application. We will be running a dynamic recruitment process so we would encourage candidates to submit an application as soon as possible as we will be interviewing candidates before the closing date.
Closing date for applications: 19 April 2026
To find out more about us visit our website www.hampshireculture.org.uk and https://careers.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/
General Manager Operations · Milestones Museum and Basing House in Basingstoke employer: Hct
Contact Detail:
Hct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager Operations · Milestones Museum and Basing House in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, take some time to visit Milestones Museum and Basing House. Familiarising yourself with the space and its offerings will help you speak confidently about how you can enhance visitor experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the culture and expectations at Hampshire Cultural Trust, which can give you an edge in your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and deliver exceptional results.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to create inspiring cultural experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager Operations · Milestones Museum and Basing House in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for the role! In your application, highlight why you’re excited about working at Milestones Museum and Basing House. Share any personal experiences or connections you have with our venues to make your application stand out.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that align with the General Manager role. Focus on your leadership experience, budget management, and any relevant achievements in customer-facing operations. We want to see how you can contribute to our vision!
Context is Key: Since we don’t require a covering letter, use the context section of your application wisely. Briefly explain your motivation for applying and how your background fits with our mission at Hampshire Cultural Trust. This is your chance to connect the dots for us!
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute! We’ll be interviewing candidates before the closing date, so get your application in as soon as possible. The sooner we see your application, the sooner we can start the conversation about your future with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hct
✨Know Your Venue Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you research Milestones Museum and Basing House thoroughly. Understand their mission, current exhibitions, and visitor demographics. This will help you demonstrate your passion for the venue and how your vision aligns with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. Highlight your ability to inspire others and drive operational excellence.
✨Be Financially Savvy
Since budget management and P&L accountability are key aspects of this role, brush up on your financial knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with budgets and how you've improved financial performance in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with various stakeholders in your past positions. Prepare to discuss your communication style and how you ensure collaboration across departments to achieve ambitious KPIs.