Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead heritage engagement and create immersive experiences at a historic estate.
- Company: Leeds Castle, a stunning 900-year-old estate with a rich legacy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to ÂŁ85,000 and the chance to shape heritage.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on heritage while inspiring diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in curatorship, audience development, and fundraising required.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on sustainability and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 96000 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 employer: Leeds Castle
Contact Detail:
Leeds Castle Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Heritage & Engagement Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the heritage sector, especially those connected to Leeds Castle. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for heritage! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your enthusiasm for storytelling and community engagement. Bring examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles—this will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Leeds Castle’s current projects and future ambitions. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around accessibility and audience engagement. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also in their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Leeds Castle. Keep an eye on deadlines and follow up if you haven’t heard back—it shows initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Heritage & Engagement Director
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 in your application. Use engaging language and structure your application like a narrative that reflects your journey and vision for Leeds Castle.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity 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 aspects that make it a national treasure. This knowledge will not only impress but also show your genuine passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Vision
Prepare to articulate your ambitious interpretive vision for the Castle. Think about how you can enhance storytelling and audience engagement. Bring examples of past projects where you've successfully implemented similar strategies to demonstrate your capability.
✨Engagement is Key
Highlight your experience in audience development and community engagement. Be ready to discuss specific initiatives you've led that expanded accessibility or fostered partnerships. This will showcase your ability to connect with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
✨Fundraising Know-How
Brush up on your fundraising techniques and be prepared to discuss how you've secured major grants in the past. Share insights on building prospect pipelines and how you can contribute to Leeds Castle's future fundraising efforts.