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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the British Museum Company through an exciting transformation and enhance visitor experiences.
- Company: Join the iconic British Museum during a significant period of change and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, free exhibition entry, and discounts at local partners.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a historic renovation and make a real impact on cultural engagement.
- Qualifications: Proven commercial leadership in visitor-focused organisations with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 115000 - 115000 £ per year.
About the role
We are seeking an exceptional Interim Commercial Director with an international profile to lead our commercial enterprise, the British Museum Company (BMCo), through an exciting period of change, transformation and transition. The British Museum is entering one of the most significant and ambitious periods in its history. With our Masterplan moving into delivery, and the transformative Western Range programme in development, we are redefining how millions of visitors experience our collections, our buildings, and our stories.
Part of this extraordinary transformation – both physical and intellectual – is already underway. We have built a new state of the art research centre in Reading, have begun work on a new energy centre to support our drive towards net zero, and we have just appointed world-renowned architect Lina Ghotmeh to rejuvenate and redevelop our Western Range – accounting for over a third of our galleries. This will be the biggest building project the Museum has undertaken since the Victorian era, and indeed one of the most exciting cultural renovations in the world, making it a uniquely exciting time to join the Museum.
As Interim Commercial Director, your leadership will ensure we continue to offer an outstanding visitor experience through unavoidable disruption while maintaining strong commercial performance. As these essential works progress, parts of our estate will be temporarily closed. Through careful planning, you will balance these disruptions to maximise revenue, elevate our brand, and ensure visitors feel welcomed and inspired.
About you
We’re looking for a seasoned commercial leader with experience in complex visitor-focused organisations, ideally across culture, heritage, attractions, retail, hospitality or leisure. You will bring a strong track record of driving commercial growth and operational excellence, along with creative thinking grounded in robust commercial discipline. You have experience confidently navigating environments with estate closures, redevelopment, or large-scale transitions, and possess exceptional communication skills and the ability to bring people with you through change. You are aware of the role of museums in contemporary society with a passion for culture and public engagement.
Key areas of responsibility
- Strategic leadership: Provide clear commercial leadership aligned with the Museum’s strategic priorities, Masterplan objectives, and the Western Range development timeline.
- Operational excellence: Ensure consistent commercial performance during periods of estate change, temporary closures, and shifting visitor patterns.
- Innovation and growth: Identify and activate new revenue streams to enhance the Museum’s global brand and support long-term financial stability.
- Stakeholder engagement: Collaborate with internal and external partners, ensuring commercial insights are used to planning, programming, and capital decisions.
- Team leadership: Lead, motivate and develop the Commercial Directorate, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and high performance.
Benefits
At the British Museum Company, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we've designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. You can read more about our benefits below:
- Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Discounts at onsite catering, Museum shops and local Bloomsbury partners.
- Social and wellbeing perks including employee parties, social clubs, and peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
- Learning and development through courses and mentoring with our online learning hub Athena, as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
- Eyecare vouchers for VDU tests and contributions toward glasses.
- Enhanced parental leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
- Support for carers through Employers for Carers.
- Defined contribution pension scheme with generous employer contributions.
- Interest‑free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.
Our Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Spark Curiosity
- Value Many Voices
These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.
Additional details
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details. We may be able to provide visa sponsorship for this role, subject to meeting eligibility requirements. The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening.
Interim Commercial Director - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Commercial Director - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the cultural and heritage sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities at places like the British Museum.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the British Museum’s current projects and challenges. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about the museum's mission and how you can contribute to its transformation during this exciting period.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the role of Interim Commercial Director. Highlight your experience with navigating change and driving commercial growth, and make sure to connect it back to the museum’s goals and values.
✨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 us you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the incredible work we’re doing at the British Museum.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Commercial Director - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Culture: When writing your application, let your love for culture and public engagement shine through. We want to see how your experiences align with our mission at the British Museum, so don’t hold back on sharing your enthusiasm!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As an Interim Commercial Director, you’ll need to lead a team through change. Make sure to showcase your leadership experience and how you've successfully navigated complex environments in your previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate!
Be Specific About Your Achievements: Quantify your successes! Use specific examples of how you’ve driven commercial growth or improved operational excellence in past positions. This helps us understand the impact you could have at the Museum.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key areas of responsibility mentioned in the job description. We appreciate candidates who take the extra step to connect their skills with our needs!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know the Museum's Vision
Before your interview, dive deep into the British Museum's Masterplan and the Western Range programme. Understanding their vision will help you align your experience with their goals, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also passionate about their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Interim Commercial Director, your leadership will be crucial. Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams through change, especially in environments with estate closures or transitions. Highlight your ability to motivate and inspire others during challenging times.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to talk about your track record in driving commercial growth. Think of innovative revenue streams you've activated in previous roles and how they could apply to the British Museum. This will show your strategic thinking and operational excellence.
✨Embrace Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the Museum's core values: Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, Spark Curiosity, and Value Many Voices. Prepare examples from your past experiences that reflect these values, as they'll be looking for candidates who embody them in their work.