Keeper - Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds

As the Keeper for Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey you will thrive on providing inspirational, engaging and high-quality visitor experiences to Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey, which are part of Leeds Museums and Galleries.

About You

• Experience of operational management in a museum, gallery or cultural attraction.
• Ability and experience of developing and maintaining partnerships with a wide range of organisations.
• Ability and experience of maintaining direct contact with visitors and audiences through day-to-day involvement with service delivery.
• Experience in recruitment, managing and developing staff in a customer focused environment, including training and delivery in line with operational and legal requirements.
• Experience of managing budgets including commercial income targets and generating additional funding through projects and grants.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide range of people from staff and volunteers to funders, donors and sector professionals.

About The Role

As our next Keeper you will oversee the day-to-day operations and will lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of ambitious site development plans and will play an integral part of a project called “Reimaging Abbey House Museum,” funded through the Museums Renewal Fund. Working in partnership with wider Leeds Museum and Galleries colleagues, this post will support in the development of agreed exhibitions and display programmes, oversee the development of supporting engagement and activity programmes, and maximise the commercial potential at both sites.

What We Offer You

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations & Enterprise. Call 07891 273902 or email lisa.broadest@leeds.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.

Job Description

To oversee day-to-day operations and strategic developments at Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey ensuring they provide an inspirational, challenging yet accessible visitor experience in line with Leeds Museums and Galleries (LMG) service objectives & targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of challenging site development plans agreed by LMG senior management team in line with the service’s strategic plan.
• Provide effective management processes and leadership for the continual improvement of site facilities, access to and interpretation of the sites and collections.
• Ensure the sites are DDA compliant.
• Co-ordinate a sustainable collaborative team approach to exhibitions, events, learning/engagement and commercial activities.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships and meaningful partnerships with a wide range of organisations and individuals to further the service’s objectives.
• Work in partnership with wider LMG colleagues to agree exhibitions and display programmes incorporating the best possible interpretation and ensuring the access needs of visitors and audiences and service-wide priorities are key to all developments.
• Oversee the development of supporting engagement and activity programmes.
• Engage communities and other audiences including families in the development of the sites and socially inclusive learning programmes.
• Carry out evaluation and surveys and respond to visitor comments and feedback.
• Maximise the commercial potential of the sites, seeking opportunities for sales, commercial hire, events and trading in line with LMG’s commercial strategy.
• Undertake research, fieldwork and visits relevant to site development as high quality visitor attraction/heritage sites.
• Always promote a positive image of the service.
• Oversee the operations team including front of house ensuring delivery of a high-quality visitor experience and delivery of exceptional customer service at sites.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of sites including general housekeeping, health and safety and licensable activities.
• Ensure compliance and take action to resolve building, collection or licensing issues with appropriate teams.
• Curatorially responsible for the structure and interiors of Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey.
• Responsible for the security of the sites.
• Manage delegated budgets and seek funding.
• Manage site-based projects and oversee the front of house team, site administration and contractors on site.
• Recruit, train, develop and inspire staff to deliver a high-quality service with a focus on audience need and the visitor experience.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the wider sector and participate in appropriate professional networks to represent the service.
• Deliver accurate and timely performance data on all aspects of service delivery.
• Be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy.
• Oversee management, review of risk assessments, and implement safe systems of work as required.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area or equivalent experience.

Essential requirements

• Able to communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide range of people from staff and volunteers to funders, donors and sector professionals.
• Able to lead and work effectively as part of a team.
• Able to manage, motivate and inspire teams and contribute to development through appraisals, supervision and training.
• Able to prioritise and manage own workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
• Able to monitor, control resources including budgets, ensuring value for money.
• Able to manage change and develop solutions to enable effective delivery of services.
• Able to prepare and present reports and data.
• Able to use relevant information technology and management software systems.
• Able to plan and deliver events and/or exhibitions.
• Able to deliver high quality inclusive and accessible visitor experiences.
• Able to maintain direct contact with visitors and audiences through day-to-day involvement with service delivery.
• Able and willing to act as a keyholder and CCTV Data Manager.
• A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to work out of normal hours if required.
• Knowledge of relevant Health and Safety legislation related to service delivery.
• Understand responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, security, confidentiality and data protection.
• Understand audience access issues particularly in relation to museums, galleries and historic houses and their collections.
• Knowledge of best practice in visitor services and the visitor experience.
• Experience in recruitment, managing and developing staff in a customer focused environment.
• Experience of successful project management.

Essential Behavioural And Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required.

Desirable requirements

• Knowledge of local government systems & procedures relating to staff management.
• Knowledge of relevant financial regulations.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, policies with ability to interpret and apply them consistently.