At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation of cultural services, enhancing community wellbeing and economic growth.
- Company: Herefordshire Council, dedicated to reshaping cultural services for the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on culture and heritage while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Strategic leadership experience in cultural services and strong community engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 63303 - 70596 £ per year.
About The Role
Hours: 37 per week
Salary: £63,303 - £70,596
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hereford
Closing date: Thursday 11th June 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed – July onwards
Introduction
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for culture, heritage and public service? Do you have the vision and drive to lead major cultural services and programmes that make a real difference to people’s lives? This is a pivotal moment for Herefordshire. We are reshaping how cultural services are delivered, alongside investing in major infrastructure such as the redevelopment of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery and the new Hereford Library and Learning Centre.
As Head of Cultural Services, you will lead a significant programme of service transformation across museums, libraries, archives, public art and cultural programming. You will modernise how services operate, improve sustainability and ensure culture plays a central role in wellbeing, economic growth and community life.
The Role
This role sits at the heart of our Community Wellbeing directorate and plays a key part in delivering the Council Plan and Herefordshire’s Cultural Strategy. In this senior leadership role, you will:
- Lead the transformation and modernisation of cultural services to ensure they are sustainable, efficient and responsive to community needs
- Provide strategic leadership for all cultural services including museums, libraries and archives
- Lead or support the delivery of major capital projects from development through to completion
- Shape and deliver cultural programming that supports health, wellbeing and economic growth
- Manage significant funding programmes and secure external investment
- Develop and implement cultural strategies, policies and service plans
- Build strong partnerships with local, regional and national organisations and funders
- Represent the council on the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership Board
- Champion culture across the council, ensuring it is embedded in wider services and priorities
- Lead and develop high performing teams, setting clear expectations and driving improvement
- Act as the council’s lead advisor on cultural, heritage and library services
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
- Salary range of £63,303 - £70,596
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community.
For more information on our Employee Network Groups please view our dedicated recruitment website: www.spiritofherefordshire.com.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Head of Culture, Museum, Libraries and Archives in Hereford employer: Hoople Ltd
As an employer, Herefordshire Council offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Head of Cultural Services role, where you can lead transformative cultural initiatives that enrich community life. With a commitment to employee growth through clear career progression pathways, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and professional development support, you will thrive in a culture that values inclusivity and collaboration. Join us in shaping the future of cultural services in Hereford, where your leadership can make a meaningful impact on wellbeing and economic growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Culture, Museum, Libraries and Archives in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the cultural sector, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's current projects and challenges. Show us you’re not just passionate about culture but also have a clear vision for how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your leadership style and how you plan to modernise cultural services. We want to hear how you’ll make a real difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Culture, Museum, Libraries and Archives in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Culture:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for culture and heritage shine through. We want to see how your vision aligns with our mission to make a real difference in people's lives.
Be Strategic and Specific:Highlight your strategic leadership experience and be specific about how you've transformed cultural services in the past. We love details that show how you can lead major projects and drive change.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit into our plans for Herefordshire.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Ltd
✨Know Your Cultural Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current cultural services landscape in Herefordshire. Understand the key projects, like the redevelopment of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to these initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to articulate your vision for transforming cultural services. Think about how you would modernise operations and improve sustainability while ensuring that culture enhances community wellbeing and economic growth.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Be ready to share examples of how you've led high-performing teams in the past. Highlight your ability to set clear expectations and drive improvement, as this role requires strong leadership to champion culture across the council.
✨Build Partnerships in Mind
Think about how you would build strong partnerships with local, regional, and national organisations. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing funding programmes and securing external investment, as collaboration is key to success in this role.
