Head of Experiences & Programming

If you have a background developing audience-led visitor experiences and programming and want to transform experiences at our places for millions of people across three nations: look no further than this role. The National Trust already plays a pivotal role in connecting people with nature, beauty, history and each other; and we want to do more.

At the heart of our strategy is a commitment to ensuring our places and collections are more relevant and useful to a greater number and diversity of people. This critical leadership role will ensure experiences evolve to better meet the needs of current and future visitors, so that our visitor business continues to generate the financial support on which our charity depends.

This nine-month fixed term opportunity is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to make an impact in a senior role, as our Head of Experiences & Programming.

Internally you will be known as our Head of Experience Development.

What it's like to work here

Your contractual location will be our Head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

You'll be part of a national leadership team, working alongside the Head of Visitor Experience (Operational Support) and Head of Visitor Programming to champion the voice of the visitor across the organisation, establish a shared direction and priorities, and provide support to properties to make it happen.

What you'll be doing

You'll need vision, brilliant leadership and relationship management skills, strategic thinking, creativity and practicality to provide clear direction for and help teams to design experiences that meet audience needs. You'll also need the commercial understanding to help us ensure that our offer is financially sustainable. This role offers the opportunity to influence at a high level across the organisation: shaping the future of visitor experiences and programming and working with others to support teams across the organisation to turn that vision into reality. 

Over the nine-months, we’re looking for someone to lead on some specific areas. You’ll lead a small, dynamic national team who work collaboratively with regional and property teams to develop concepts for new experiences at our places based on business cases that are imaginative, relevant and feasible. You’ll also provide inspirational professional leadership and support professional development of hundreds of people outside your direct line management in experiences and programming roles at properties and regions. We’re looking for someone who can provide brilliant inclusive leadership to teams within our national department. This role will also champion audience-led ways of working across the organisation, providing support and guidance to make this easier for our teams to deliver.

Who we're looking for

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. We’re looking for:

• An inspirational leader adept at leading and motivating large teams; able to inspire others to drive forward new ideas and approaches.
• A brilliant influencer and networker, confident and capable at building relationships with leaders, partners, and teams who you'll hand over delivery to.
• Significant experience and an impressive track record of developing new experiences and programmes for visitors, in multi-disciplinary contexts.
• Led by audience, able build and share a deep understanding audience and market insight and use this to inform your work.
• Commercial understanding, confidence using business models and constructing business cases to help us ensure that our offer is financially sustainable.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Tax-free childcare scheme
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme 
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places