At a Glance
- Tasks: Repair and operate historic machinery while supervising contractors and volunteers outdoors.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to preserving industrial history.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Diverse workplace welcoming applications from all backgrounds, including disabled and neurodivergent individuals.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a unique role that combines hands-on work with leadership.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is a practical, outdoor role where you will repair and operate historic machinery, work underground in the historic mine and across the landscape in all weathers, and tackle a wide variety of technical and maintenance tasks. Alongside the practical work, you’ll supervise contractors, volunteers and apprentices, ensuring safe, high‑quality delivery across the site. If you love working outdoors, enjoy using your initiative, and want to help preserve a unique piece of industrial history while leading others, this is a rare and rewarding opportunity to make a real impact.
Hours & Working Pattern
This is an annualised‑hours role, totalling 1,052 hours per year, split between Killhope’s open and closed seasons.
- Open Season (32 weeks)
- Approximately 832 hours
- About 26 hours per week
- Includes opening and closing the site
- Weekend working is required
- Weekend hours include enhanced pay
- Closed Season (20 weeks)
- Approximately 220 hours
- About 11 hours per week
- No weekend working during winter
You will receive annualised pay, meaning your salary is paid in equal monthly instalments throughout the year, regardless of seasonal hour variations.
What Will I Need?
You should hold an NVQ level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area. Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.
Interviews
Interviews will be held week commencing 20 July 2026. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked‑after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
Our Offer To You
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
How To Apply
Please note all applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the Person Specification section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted. If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentREG@durham.gov.uk. All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
Heritage Venues Maintenance and Technical Manager in North East employer: North East Ambition
As a Heritage Venues Maintenance and Technical Manager, you will join a dedicated team committed to preserving industrial history while enjoying the great outdoors. Our organisation offers a supportive work culture that values employee growth through training and development opportunities, alongside a competitive rewards package including generous annual leave and a robust pension scheme. With a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, ensuring a fulfilling and impactful career in a unique setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Heritage Venues Maintenance and Technical Manager in North East
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like North East Ambition, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Heritage Venues Maintenance and Technical Manager at North East Ambition.
We think you need these skills to ace Heritage Venues Maintenance and Technical Manager in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Ambition
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
