Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the care and curatorship of iconic palaces and collections.
- Company: Historic Royal Palaces is a charity preserving six historic palaces for everyone.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for innovation, and a chance to impact future generations.
- Why this job: Shape the future of history while promoting inclusion and diversity in heritage.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in cultural settings and strong financial acumen required.
- Other info: Regular travel to various HRP locations and a commitment to sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 130000 £ per year.
Help shape the future of history for everyone. We are the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. The palaces are the setting for the stories that shape us all, and we’re bringing them to people in ways that mean more to them. We want everyone to find themselves in the spaces and stories we share.
We are seeking an inspirational leader who can safeguard the past while shaping the future. As Palaces and Collections Director, you will be responsible for the care and curatorship of our iconic palaces, collections, and historic environments. You will lead a dedicated team of experts, ensuring our sites remain vibrant, relevant, and inclusive to all.
Our Strategy: Our strategy is built around a clear vision: we want to be a charity for everyone. This means ensuring the Palaces and their stories are a living, accessible resource for all, regardless of who or where they are. Our ambition to Reach Further means we are committed to breaking down barriers so that everyone can access our work—whether through visiting our sites or via innovative digital experiences that bring our stories to people across the UK. We are working to engage new audiences and expand the reach of our impact like never before. We want to Mean More, to focus on delivering meaningful work that has a real and lasting impact, enabling people to find personal relevance and connection in the stories we share. We create experiences that people can enjoy on their own terms and collaborate with communities and partners to design events and programmes that resonate with their lives and interests. As we Act for the Future, we take seriously our responsibility to preserve six historic palaces, their contents, landscapes and narratives for future generations. We are investing in young people—reaching every school in the UK and increasing diversity in our sector through apprenticeships, paid internships, and scholarships. We are also responding to the climate emergency with a commitment to become nature-positive and carbon net zero across all three emission scopes by 2050.
Your impact: Drive strategic and transformative change in conservation, curatorship, and collections management, ensuring HRP is at the forefront of best practice and innovation. Champion inclusion and diversity in historical curatorship, ensuring our work reflects and engages a broad range of audiences. Lead on major strategic and capital projects, delivering them on time, on budget, and at scale. Strengthen HRP’s position as a centre of research excellence, ensuring our independent research status drives forward new discoveries and insights. Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Royal Household, Historic England, government bodies, and international heritage organisations.
Who we’re looking for: This is a role for a bold, strategic, and dynamic leader who can combine deep expertise with a passion for innovation and inclusion. You will bring:
- Proven leadership in a research-led, interdisciplinary cultural or heritage setting.
- A global perspective on history, ensuring our stories and collections resonate with diverse audiences.
- Strong financial acumen, with experience scaling operations and budgets to maximise impact.
- The resilience and determination to push boundaries, challenge traditions, and lead with confidence.
- A collaborative and empowering leadership style, with the ability to inspire and engage teams.
At HRP, we do more than protect the past - we bring history to life for millions of visitors. As part of our executive team, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of some of the world’s most iconic heritage sites.
To find out more, please click on ‘Apply’.
If, after you have read the person specification, you would like a confidential discussion please contact our recruitment advisers at GatenbySanderson:
- Jennie Wood, Researcher: jennie.wood@gatenbysanderson.com
- Rebekah Herz-Bauman, Partner: rebekah.herz-bauman@gatenbysanderson.com
Closing date: 9am, Monday 28th April
Palaces & Collections Director employer: Historic Royal Palaces
Contact Detail:
Historic Royal Palaces Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Palaces & Collections Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Historic Royal Palaces' mission and values. Understanding their commitment to inclusion and diversity will help you align your vision with theirs, showcasing how you can contribute to their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the heritage and cultural sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet individuals who work at HRP or similar organisations. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss innovative ideas for engaging diverse audiences with historical narratives. Think about how you can leverage digital experiences to enhance accessibility and relevance, as this aligns closely with HRP's strategic ambitions.
✨Tip Number 4
Research recent projects or initiatives led by HRP that focus on conservation and community engagement. Being knowledgeable about their current work will allow you to speak confidently about how your experience can support their ongoing efforts.
We think you need these skills to ace Palaces & Collections Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Palaces & Collections Director position. Make sure you understand the responsibilities and expectations, particularly around leadership, inclusion, and strategic change.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in cultural or heritage settings. Emphasise your leadership roles, financial acumen, and any projects that demonstrate your ability to drive strategic change and engage diverse audiences.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for history and heritage. Discuss how your vision aligns with HRP's strategy of inclusivity and innovation. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your suitability for the role.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Historic Royal Palaces
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Palaces & Collections Director, you'll need to demonstrate your proven leadership in cultural or heritage settings. Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams, managed projects, and driven strategic change in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Inclusion and Diversity
Given the role's focus on championing inclusion and diversity, be ready to discuss how you've engaged diverse audiences in your past work. Share any initiatives you've led that reflect a commitment to making history accessible to all.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Strong financial skills are crucial for this position. Be prepared to talk about your experience with budgeting, scaling operations, and maximising impact through effective financial management. Use concrete examples to illustrate your points.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
The role involves leading major strategic projects, so anticipate questions about your approach to project management. Think about how you would deliver projects on time and within budget, and be ready to discuss your vision for the future of the palaces and collections.
