Head of Culture in Rotherham

Office Location: Wentworth Woodhouse, Wentworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire

Length of Contract: Permanent

Hours of Work: 37.5 per week x 50 weeks

Responsible to: CEO

Role Purpose: Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) was formed in 2014 with the specific mission to save Grade I Listed Wentworth Woodhouse for the benefit of the nation. Since taking ownership of the site in 2017, the Trust has focused on providing opportunities for those who need them most and developing a rich, varied, and exciting cultural offer at Wentworth, attracting a national and ultimately international audience to South Yorkshire. The Wentworth Woodhouse Cultural Strategy launched in 2023 sets out plans for the development of the cultural offer to 2028, which is bold, exciting, innovative, and ambitious. This senior leadership role will drive all aspects of our cultural offer including visitor engagement, exhibitions, cultural event programming, and digital and film production.

Main Duties:

• Work with the CEO and other members of the Senior Leadership Team to achieve the charity's strategic objectives, contributing to the annual business plan, attending regular team meetings, and providing support to the CEO on strategic and operational planning.
• Oversee and be responsible for all aspects of development and delivery of the cultural offer at Wentworth Woodhouse as set out in the Cultural Strategy, including collections management, exhibitions and cultural programming, community engagement activity, tours, and interpretation.
• Be accountable for collections, ensuring adherence to best practice in collections management and preventative conservation.
• Lead on disaster planning in relation to cultural assets and manage conservation projects as required.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team to ensure our heritage story is at the heart of our cultural offer.
• Develop a learning and skills training strategy aligned with Wentworth Woodhouse's mission and audience development goals.
• Curate a high quality, diverse, and multi-disciplinary programme of events, exhibitions, films, and heritage activity.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with funders, artists, managers, and key stakeholders.
• Act as the key point of contact for various cultural partnerships.
• Produce regular verbal and written reports on engagement, activity delivery, impact, and the development of new programmes.
• Manage, support, coach, and appraise the Culture Team.
• Support the recruitment, training, induction, and supervision of volunteers and freelancers.
• Monitor performance against budgets, targets, and Key Performance Indicators.
• Work with the CEO to apply for and acquire new funding streams to support cultural delivery.
• Ensure that events are financially sustainable and create good value for community groups.
• Evaluate cultural event and activity delivery to maximise future opportunities.
• Ensure resources across Culture are effectively targeted.

Person Specification:

• Extensive relevant experience within a similar role.
• Successful delivery of ACE and/or other public funded projects.
• Senior management experience.
• Experience of working with artists, performers, events companies, and suppliers.
• Experience of working with volunteers and multiple partners.
• Professional qualification in the arts, event management, curatorial or similar.

Job Related Skills:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage relationships and motivate others.
• Good planning, organisational, and budget management skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Full driving license.

Personal Attributes:

• Good communication skills both written and oral.
• A flexible and positive approach.
• A ‘can do’ attitude.
• Committed to the core values of the trust including equality and diversity.

Work Circumstance:

• Able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays at times.
• Awareness of the implications of social media in a workplace.