At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate operational and commercial performance across multiple museum sites.
- Company: Join the Royal Navy Museums, a leading heritage organisation with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and discounts at national attractions.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a transforming museum group and engage with diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multi-site operations and strong commercial awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Royal Navy Museums: Portsmouth, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with hybrid working available. Royal Navy Museums is one of the UK’s leading museum groups, caring for nationally significant collections, historic ships and museum sites across Portsmouth, Yeovilton, Hartlepool and Belfast. Through our Strategy, Linking Navy and Nation with inspiring stories and experiences, we are delivering ambitious plans to grow audiences, strengthen financial sustainability and develop inspiring visitor experiences across our sites. Our museums and historic fleet welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and generate the majority of our income through admissions, commercial activity and visitor operations.
This is a great opportunity to join the team: We are seeking an experienced, collaborative strategic operational and commercial leader to lead and coordinate operational and commercial performance across the Royal Navy Museums group and help shape the future sustainability and success of one of the nation’s most important heritage organisations. Reporting to the Executive Director of Museum Operations, this is a key senior leadership role within the Museum Operations Directorate. The Associate Executive Director: Commercial Operations will lead operational coordination across museum sites and drive commercial performance, visitor experience and operational excellence through a team of General Managers / Museum Managers and the Head of Commercial. The role combines strategic leadership with operational delivery and requires an individual who can successfully balance commercial performance, visitor experience, public engagement and organisational purpose across a complex, multi-site museum environment. The role will also contribute to delivery of major organisational projects and transformational investment programmes across the museum group, supporting the long-term sustainability of the Royal Navy Museums estate, visitor experience and historic fleet.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading operational and commercial performance across multiple museum sites.
- Driving growth in commercial trading income and secondary spend.
- Leading, supporting and developing General Managers / Museum Managers and operational leadership teams.
- Ensuring consistent visitor experience and operational standards across museum sites.
- Coordinating operational planning, collaboration and performance across sites.
- Supporting delivery of strategic and financial objectives.
- Developing commercial partnerships and operational improvement initiatives.
- Supporting operational delivery of major organisational projects and capital programmes.
What you can bring:
- Substantial leadership experience within a multi-site, visitor-facing or commercially complex organisation.
- Operational leadership capability with the ability to develop high-performing teams and deliver strategic objectives.
- Commercial awareness and experience delivering income growth and operational sustainability.
- Experience leading multi-site operational teams.
- Strategic planning, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience of translating organisational strategy into effective operational delivery.
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned to the Royal Navy Museums values.
What we offer:
- The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
- Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
- 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata for part time employees, increasing to 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service, pro rata for part time employees, with the option to purchase additional annual leave.
- Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
- Flexible working.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
- Discounts at our shops and cafes.
- Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.
- A range of other benefits including cycle to work, electric vehicle scheme, employer supported volunteering leave, mobile tech, etc.
- Paid reservist leave.
We want you to succeed and showcase your skills and experiences, so if you are invited to interview, we will share our interview questions with you ahead of time. If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding the role, or ask any questions, please contact Andrew Baines, Executive Director of Museum Operations.
All applicants are asked to apply via the specified platform by midnight on 21st June. The selection processes will be held on site in Portsmouth at the end of June, beginning of July 2026. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the People team for support. This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on the naval base, as well as the right to work in the UK. Please note we cannot currently sponsor work visas.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future operational and commercial success of a transforming national museum group with ambitious plans for growth, engagement, sustainability and effective operational delivery. We welcome applications from candidates with experience across the heritage, cultural, visitor attraction, hospitality, leisure or other relevant public-facing sectors.
Director, Multi-Site Commercial Operations in Portsmouth employer: National Museum of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy Museums offers a unique opportunity to work within one of the UK's leading museum groups, where you can contribute to preserving national heritage while enjoying a friendly and diverse workplace. With a strong focus on employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave and pension contributions, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative environment. Join us in shaping the future of visitor experiences across our historic sites in Portsmouth and beyond.
Contact Details:
National Museum of the Royal Navy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Multi-Site Commercial Operations in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals 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
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn in the hot seat.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Multi-Site Commercial Operations in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in multi-site operations and commercial leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Royal Navy Museums!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve driven growth or improved visitor experiences in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, so don’t hesitate to share your unique approach to team management and operational excellence.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application via our website before the deadline! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Museum of the Royal Navy
✨Know Your Museums
Familiarise yourself with the Royal Navy Museums and their mission. Understand their collections, visitor experiences, and recent initiatives. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and align your answers with their goals during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience in multi-site operations. Highlight specific examples where you've developed high-performing teams and driven commercial success. Be ready to explain how your collaborative approach aligns with the values of the Royal Navy Museums.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to talk about your experience in driving income growth and operational sustainability. Share concrete examples of how you've successfully implemented strategies that improved commercial performance in previous roles, especially in visitor-facing environments.
✨Engage with Strategic Planning
Think about how you've translated organisational strategy into effective operational delivery. Prepare to discuss your strategic planning skills and how you've managed stakeholder relationships to achieve objectives, as this is crucial for the role.
