At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational and commercial performance across multiple museum sites.
- Company: Join the Royal Navy Museums, a leading heritage organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and unique discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly, diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a transforming national museum group with ambitious growth plans.
- Qualifications: Substantial leadership experience in visitor-facing or commercially complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 65515 - 72248 £ per year.
Salary (Grade 9) – £65,515 - £72,248 per annum (dependent upon experience)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week – Permanent
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 2025‑2030, 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.
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.
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.
Associate Executive Director – Commercial Operations in Portsmouth employer: The National Museum of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy Museums offers a unique opportunity to work in a friendly and diverse environment, where you can contribute to the preservation of national heritage while driving commercial success. 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 the cultural sector.
Contact Details:
The National Museum of the Royal Navy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Executive Director – 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 time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Executive Director – Commercial Operations in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in operational leadership and commercial performance. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Royal Navy Museums!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We’re looking for a collaborative and inclusive leader, so don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you’ve developed high-performing teams. Let us know how you’ve translated strategy into action in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:To ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, please apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at The National Museum of the Royal Navy
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the Royal Navy Museums' mission and their Strategy 2025-2030. Understand their goals for audience growth and visitor experiences. This will help you align your answers with their vision and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've led multi-site teams and driven commercial growth in previous roles. Highlight your ability to develop high-performing teams and deliver strategic objectives. This is crucial for the Associate Executive Director role, so make sure your stories reflect your operational leadership capabilities.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle operational challenges or improve visitor experiences across multiple sites. Think through potential scenarios and prepare your responses. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about their current challenges in commercial operations or how they measure success in visitor engagement. This not only shows your interest but also gives you valuable insights into the role and the organisation.
