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- Tasks: Lead fundraising strategies and enhance the Museum's public profile.
- Company: Join the award-winning Black Country Living Museum, celebrating local history.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive rewards, and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in heritage while developing your career in a unique environment.
- Qualifications: Proven fundraising experience and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Inclusive employer committed to diversity and equal opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 66000 £ per year.
Location: Dudley
Salary: £55,000 per annum
Hours: Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week (agile working)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Black Country Living Museum is seeking a Head of Development and Communications to drive income from diverse and appropriate funding sources. As a leader, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping our future by driving sustainable income streams, growing key partnerships, and elevating our public profile. If you’d like the unique opportunity to play a part in bringing local history to life, then join our award-winning Museum and take your career to the next step.
What are the duties?
- Create, develop and deliver the Museums Fundraising Strategy and pursue fundraising opportunities.
- Build and sustain relationships with Charitable Trusts and Foundations in addition to providing direction for restricted fundraising activities.
- Articulate a clearly defined ‘case’ for supporting the Museum.
- Oversee the growth and diversity of the Museum’s membership, patron and legacy programmes.
- Oversee all Audience and Communications (A&C) outputs including managing media relationships, PR and strategies for crisis management.
- Develop and direct inclusive strategies for A&C including the Museum’s brand story and key messages.
- Motivating the Development and A&C teams through target and behaviour management as well as delivering training and continual development plans.
- Develop budgets for Development and A&C ensuring prudent use of resources to achieve strategic objectives.
- Work collaboratively as part of the Museum’s Management Team to align workstreams and contribute to the achievement of excellence in Living Interpretation and visitor experience.
What are we looking for?
- Inclusive interpersonal skills with proven experience of communicating a vision and a case.
- Demonstratable experience of developing and executing successful fundraising strategies and bids.
- Significant experience and proven success in raising income and support from a diverse range of funders.
- A record of high-level marketing leadership and achievement in a comparable organisation.
- The ability to work under pressure, meet targets, and align fundraising with the Museum’s broader goals.
- A passion for heritage with a results-driven and integrity-led approach.
Who are we?
We are an award-winning open-air museum. Throughout our 47-year history, our aim has always been clear: Inspiring your discovery of the Black Country. We ensure that the revolutionary story of the Black Country’s industrial landscape – the first ever of its kind in the UK – is celebrated by generations.
What can you expect?
- Unique Working environment: The Museum hosts seasonal, themed, and high-profile events, as well as being regularly used for TV and Film locations.
- Opportunity to learn new skills.
- Competitive rewards & benefits.
- Supportive & inclusive work culture.
- Positive attitude to work-life balance.
- Flexible working.
What are you waiting for? Begin your Black Country Journey now and apply using your most up-to-date CV. BCLM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment that celebrates the richness of the human experience. We are dedicated to eliminating bias and discrimination at every stage and encourage applicants to get in touch should they require reasonable adjustments during the interview process. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups and believe in providing equal opportunities for all qualified candidates. Our commitment to safeguarding includes implementing robust safer recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of individuals applying for roles that involve work with children and adults who may be at risk of harm.
Closing date: 28 April 2025. Interviews are expected to take place within 7 days of the closing date, adjustments will be made should successful candidates be unable to attend.
Head of Development and Communications employer: Nationalmuseums
Contact Detail:
Nationalmuseums Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development and Communications
✨Tip Number 1
Research the Black Country Living Museum thoroughly. Understand its history, mission, and current projects. This knowledge will help you articulate how your vision aligns with theirs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the heritage and fundraising sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential collaborators and funders who could support the Museum's initiatives.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful fundraising strategies you've implemented in the past. Be ready to explain how these experiences can be adapted to benefit the Museum.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and how you motivate teams. Think about ways you can inspire the Development and Communications teams at the Museum to achieve their goals and enhance their skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development and Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills for the Head of Development and Communications position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that articulates your passion for heritage and your vision for the role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your success in fundraising and communications.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on showcasing your demonstrable experience in developing and executing successful fundraising strategies. Include metrics or achievements that illustrate your impact in previous roles.
Showcase Interpersonal Skills: Emphasise your inclusive interpersonal skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated a vision and built relationships with diverse stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nationalmuseums
✨Understand the Museum's Vision
Before your interview, take some time to research Black Country Living Museum's mission and values. Understanding their vision will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in driving sustainable income streams and enhancing public profile.
✨Showcase Your Fundraising Success
Prepare specific examples of successful fundraising strategies you've developed and executed in the past. Be ready to discuss how these experiences can translate into success for the Museum, particularly in building relationships with Charitable Trusts and Foundations.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head of Development and Communications, you'll need to motivate teams effectively. Think of instances where you've led teams through challenges or achieved targets, and be prepared to share these stories during your interview.
✨Prepare for Crisis Management Scenarios
Given the role involves overseeing media relationships and crisis management strategies, consider potential scenarios that could arise and how you would handle them. This will demonstrate your proactive thinking and readiness to manage communications under pressure.
