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- Tasks: Lead heritage initiatives, engage communities, and create immersive visitor experiences at Leeds Castle.
- Company: Join the iconic Leeds Castle, a historic estate with a vibrant legacy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to ÂŁ85,000 and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a nationally significant heritage site and inspire diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in interpretation, audience development, and curatorial management required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic leadership team driving exciting conservation and engagement projects.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 ÂŁ per year.
Leeds Castle—an extraordinary 900‑year‑old Estate, with Grade I Listed Castle, invites an exceptional heritage leader to shape the next chapter of one of England's most iconic destinations. With a rich legacy of female ownership, a vibrant tradition as a Glamorous Retreat, and a modern role as a leading visitor attraction and independent charity, this is a rare opportunity to support a nationally significant heritage estate through transformation.
Mission
As Heritage & Engagement Director, you will lead the interpretation, curatorship, public engagement & fundraising that bring the Castle's stories, landscape and collections to life for a broad range of audiences.
Responsibilities
- Define and deliver a fresh, ambitious interpretive vision that deepens understanding of Leeds Castle's Spirit of Place and elevates our storytelling across the Castle, gardens, estate and wildlife.
- Lead curatorship and collections activity, ensuring rigorous stewardship, research, documentation and conservation of our historic interiors and artefacts.
- Create compelling exhibitions and visitor experiences, including new multimedia, interactive and nature‑based experiences aligned with our Whole Estate Plan.
- Work with Learning Manager to build on successful schools' offer.
- Drive audience engagement, expanding accessibility, community partnerships and participation while embedding robust evaluation and audience insight.
- Oversee fundraising strategy, supporting the team to build a strong prospect pipeline and secure major grants—including a significant future bid to support essential Castle repairs and accessibility improvements.
- Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team across Curatorial, Learning, Fundraising and Community Engagement, nurturing a collaborative culture that embraces curiosity, innovation and long‑term stewardship.
Qualifications
- Demonstrable experience of delivering impactful interpretation, exhibitions and storytelling.
- A strong background in audience development, accessibility, community engagement and partnership working.
- Credible curatorial and collections management expertise, with the ability to set strategy and maintain high standards.
- Experience leading major projects, budget management and cross‑disciplinary teams.
- Understanding of fundraising techniques and experience of shaping projects that appeal to external funders.
- A collaborative, imaginative, and strategic mindset—bringing creativity, rigour and the distinctive "Leeds Castle twist" to everything you do.
- Passion for heritage, people and creating experiences that surprise, delight and endure.
- An ability to shift between strategic thinking and putting your shoulder to the wheel in a fast paced, ambitious and high‑performing team.
Why Now?
Leeds Castle is at an exciting point in its journey: Major conservation projects underway. Growing fundraising successes, including NLHF support. New ambitions to enhance biodiversity, improve accessibility, and develop nature‑based visitor experiences. Expanding accommodation, events and learning programmes. A commitment to sustainability and long‑term estate planning. You will join a dynamic Senior Leadership Team shaping a resilient, imaginative and people‑centred future for this remarkable estate.
Closing date for applications: Friday 10th April 2026
Heritage & Engagement Director in England employer: Leeds Castle
Contact Detail:
Leeds Castle Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Heritage & Engagement Director in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the heritage sector, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone from Leeds Castle or during an interview, let your enthusiasm for heritage and engagement shine through. Share your ideas on how to elevate storytelling and audience engagement—make them see your vision!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! Be ready to discuss your past experiences in curatorship and fundraising in detail. Think of specific examples that highlight your skills and how they align with Leeds Castle's mission—this will set you apart from the crowd.
✨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 the Leeds Castle team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying—persistence pays off!
We think you need these skills to ace Heritage & Engagement Director in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Heritage: When writing your application, let your love for heritage shine through! Share specific examples of how you've engaged with heritage projects in the past and what excites you about Leeds Castle's unique history.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in curatorship, audience engagement, and fundraising. We want to see how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Heritage & Engagement Director role, so be specific!
Be Creative with Your Storytelling: This role is all about storytelling, so don’t shy away from showcasing your creative side. Use engaging language and structure your application in a way that tells your own story while connecting it to Leeds Castle’s mission.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you're serious about joining our team at Leeds Castle!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds Castle
✨Know Your Heritage
Dive deep into the history of Leeds Castle and its significance. Familiarise yourself with its stories, collections, and the unique 'Spirit of Place'. This will not only show your passion for heritage but also help you articulate how you can enhance its narrative.
✨Showcase Your Vision
Prepare to discuss your ambitious interpretive vision for the Castle. Think about innovative ways to engage audiences and create memorable experiences. Be ready to share examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to lead impactful projects.
✨Engagement is Key
Highlight your experience in audience development and community engagement. Be specific about strategies you've implemented before and how they could be adapted for Leeds Castle. This shows you understand the importance of accessibility and participation.
✨Fundraising Know-How
Brush up on your fundraising techniques and be prepared to discuss how you would approach building a strong prospect pipeline. Share any successful bids or grants you've secured in the past, as this will illustrate your capability in supporting the Castle's financial goals.