Head of Culture & Engagement 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. The emphasis of its work has been to provide opportunities for those who need them most and to develop a rich, varied, and exciting cultural offer at Wentworth, attracting a national and ultimately international audience to South Yorkshire. In 2023, the Wentworth Woodhouse Cultural Strategy was launched which set out plans for development of the cultural offer to 2028. 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.
• Be accountable for collections, both owned and loaned, ensuring adherence to best practice in collections management and preventative conservation.
• Lead on disaster planning in relation to cultural assets.
• Manage conservation projects as required.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team, ensuring our heritage story is at the heart of our cultural offer.
• Develop a learning and skills training strategy aligned with Wentworth Woodhouse’s mission, audience development goals and wider organisational objectives.
• 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.
• 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.
• Apply and acquire new funding streams to support cultural delivery and report on grant funded programmes.
• Ensure that events are financially sustainable and create good value for community groups.
• Evaluate cultural event and activity delivery to ensure client satisfaction and encourage repeat business.

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.
• Experience of working successfully with multiple partners and agencies within projects.
• 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 at all levels.
• Good planning, organisational and budget management skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.

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.