Jobs for the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector

The Pepys House Charity is seeking a dynamic and highly organised Project and Operations Manager to lead the delivery of a 12-month NLHF Resilience Project: “Samuel Pepys House: Home of an English Chronicler.” This is the first professional post at Pepys House — the only surviving property owned and occupied by the 17th century diarist Samuel Pepys. This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic future of a rare Grade I listed heritage site and to help realise its vision as a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable heritage destination. 

As the Charity’s first professional staff member, you will be central to coordinating planning, activity delivery, community consultation, strategic governance, and future sustainability. This role is both operational and strategic, requiring initiative, diplomacy, and a deep commitment to inclusive heritage engagement. You will work closely with the Charity’s Chairman and Trustees, as well as key stakeholders from the Samuel Pepys Club, a membership organisation promoting the life and times of Samuel Pepys, and original owners of the building. The Club has a wide and diverse membership with deep knowledge about Samuel Pepys which will inform both the pilot programme of events and the sustainable vision for the future of Pepys House.

We are looking to recruit an Retail Assistant to join our team based in Midlands. You will join us on a part-time, permanent annualised contract, working 1050 hours per annum basis including regular weekend working, evenings and bank holidays. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £12,894.09 per annum.

The Royal Air Force Museum is a national museum, a Government non-departmental public body (NDPB) and a registered charity, with two sister sites at London and Midlands. Our purpose is to share the RAF story, past, present and future – using the stories of its people and our collections in order to engage, inform and inspire. Our Vision is to inspire everyone with the RAF story – the people who shape it and its place in our lives.

We have two public sites (London and Midlands) and a stored collection (Stafford). Our trading company and active fundraising supplement Grant in Aid which comes through the Ministry of Defence.

The Royal Air Force Museum is a Carbon Literate organisation and as such promotes Carbon Literacy.

Purpose of the Retail Assistant role:

The post holder will be responsible for delivering the commercial activities of the Museum with the sale of goods and services in our retail and visitor areas and supporting the delivery of museum events.

Key duties will include preparing, monitoring and operating the simulators/4D experience and other relevant commercial attractions. You will provide high standards of customer care through proactive engagement with visitors. Your duties will also include serving customers at the sales counter and assisting in the receipt, checking, location and movements of stock.

Key responsibilities of our Retail Assistant include:

• Providing high standards of customer care through pro-active and re-active engagement with visitors
• Operating commercial experiences, and associated tills
• Maximising commercial experiences revenue by actively promoting the experiences and ensuring the they operate at the appropriate times
• Quickly reporting any commercial experiences issues to the relevant people, including liaising directly with external contractors where appropriate
• Ensuring all security and health and safety requirements are adhered to at all times, including the completion and recording of daily and weekly checks
• Operating flexibly across a range of customer care roles
• Accurately cash-up and reconcile tills/EPOS system as required
• Utilising all visitor interactions as an opportunity to promote additional income generation
• Regularly monitoring the condition and cleanliness of front of house facilities, including retail displays, taking corrective action and/or reporting issues as appropriate.

What we are looking for in our Retail Assistant:

• Willingness and ability to hold a First Aid qualification
• Respectful to colleagues and visitors, asking appropriate questions, listening and appreciating others’ viewpoints and acting in a professional and fair manner
• Uses knowledge and experience to deal effectively with problems and make appropriate decisions
• Proactively and positively contributes to the work of the whole team in a way that leads to the successful delivery of individuals and/or team targets, objectives and activities
• Demonstrable experience in customer-focused environment
• A good level of general education
• Commercial acumen
• Good level of computer literacy and IT skills including Microsoft Office software

Closing date for applications: 6th July 2025

Interviews will take place on: 15th July 2025

If you think you have what it takes and want to be part of this exciting journey, please visit the jobs page on our website for further information. Join us in delivering our purpose and achieving our vision, ensuring that the Royal Air Force’s story continues to enrich and inspire current and future generations. We would love to hear from you.

The Senior Operations Lead will be integral to managing and leading the charity’s operations. This role calls for an energetic and proactive leader who can supervise daily functions of our charity, enhance our systems and processes, ensure the organisation operates smoothly, and support the Director in the running of the organisation.

The ideal candidate will adopt a trauma-informed approach, reflect our values, and demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to our mission.

Key Responsibilities

Trauma-Informed Champion

Strategic Leadership

Operational Management

Staff Management

Monitoring and Evaluation

Designated Safeguarding Officer

Policy and Procedure Oversight

Contracts and Agreements oversight

Volunteer Management

Governance

Systems and Processes

Health and Safety  

Data Protection

The Association for Cultural Enterprises (AfCE) supports over 500 member organisations across the UK and internationally, helping the cultural sector generate earned income through commercial activity. As an Arts Council England-funded organisation, AfCE delivers sector-leading training, benchmarking, data-led insights, events, and advocacy to drive financial resilience in arts, heritage, and culture.

AfCE runs a year-round programme of live training events around the UK and Europe, as well as its signature annual Cultural Enterprises Conference and Trade Show. We have ambitions to grow attendance at these events, as well as growing our membership.

The Association is a charitable organisation, which also has a trading company, Cultural Enterprises (Trading) Limited (CET).

We are looking for a new Finance Manager to join a small, friendly, and ambitious team, to review the day-to-day processes and policies and identify opportunities to improve reporting  and make operational efficiencies. The Association is growing, so now is an exciting time to join our team and work with our members across the cultural sector.

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to provide sound financial management for the Association and CET through:

• Statutory financial reporting in line with Charity SORP/UK GAAP, including annual returns to Companies House and the Charity Commission

• Management accounting, reporting and analysis to funders, management, staff, and Trustees/Directors

• Preparation and maintenance of budgets, forecasts and plans, including cashflows and project budgets

• Supervision and control of day-to-day accounting transactions, including oversight of the finance aspects of the Apprentice role

• Oversight and implementation of robust financial systems, policies, and procedures

• Responsible for financial queries, working with the Apprentice as first point of contact for external contacts
   

Main Duties

• Supervise day-to-day accounting operations and ensure accurate financial record keeping, including coding, allocations, reconciliations, and tax accounting

• Oversee invoice generation and debt recovery processes

• Process payments and staff expenses for authorisation

• Produce regular management accounts on an accruals basis, providing interpretation and advice to the Executive Team, Finance & Risk Committee, Trustees/Directors, and funders

• Lead on budget preparation and forecasting, including project-specific budgets; monitor and reforecast as needed

• Prepare statutory accounts in compliance with charity SORP and liaise with external auditors and the Treasurer

• Manage contracts with financial services providers, including bookkeepers, auditors, banks, and investment managers

• Attend AfCE and CET Board meetings

• Fulfil company secretarial duties, including:

  • Filing confirmation statements and annual accounts for ACE and CET with Companies House and Charity Commission

  • Filing changes in Trustees/Directors

• Complete Arts Council England (ACE) returns, including provision of financial information for quarterly payment processes when required

• Negotiate and implement insurance policies including:

  • General insurance

  • Cyber security

  • Life assurance

  • Staff sickness policy

  • Trustees’ liability

  • Conference insurance

• Oversee monthly payroll, including statutory payments to HMRC and pension providers, and liaise with bookkeepers for payroll updates or changes

• Review VAT returns for accuracy before submission to HMRC
   

Note on External Bookkeepers
External bookkeepers currently provide support limited to payroll and VAT processing.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

• Self-disciplined, organised, proactive and self-motivating

• Logical and methodical approach to finance and administration

• Trustworthy, honest, reliable and conscientious

• Confident, professional, and personable, able to communicate easily within a small team and with external stakeholders
   

Professional Competencies

Essential

• Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA

• Strong knowledge of charity SORP and charity finance regulations, including VAT and Gift Aid

• Experience with Xero or equivalent cloud-based accounting systems

• Strong reporting skills

• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Experience producing management accounts and supporting senior leadership and boards

• Ability to interpret financial data for non-financial colleagues
   

Desirable

• Experience working in a small charity or business

• Understanding of the cultural or charitable sector

• Experience of remote working
   

Benefits

• Unlimited holiday policy

• 5% employer pension contribution

• Life insurance

• Flexible working arrangements by agreement with the CEO

We are an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of experience, merit and organisational need.

St Bride Foundation- About us

For over 130 years, our historic home at 14 Bride Lane has been more than just a building – it has been a beacon for creativity, learning, and community engagement, standing as a testament to London's rich printing heritage.

As the home of print and type design on Fleet Street, the Foundation cares for an internationally significant collection celebrating the history of print, graphic design and typography.

Our Grade II listed Victorian building is home to the Bridewell Theatre, a vibrant 130-seater fringe theatre and a hands-on print workshop. At the heart of our organisation, our unparalleled collection supports a broad educational programme of creative workshops, seminars, events and exhibitions. We welcome 42,000 visitors a year, including 15,500 theatre visitors and over 4,000 attendees to our library and cultural programme.

We are in an exciting period of organisational development working on robust plans and policies and creating a new strategic direction to develop our collections, cultural offer and to bring it to a wider, diverse audience. 

Our Collections

The Library holds over 60,000 catalogued items, including the largest collection of type specimens in the world. Alongside this it holds over 250 archival and special collections, including the physical objects of printing and type founding —many still being catalogued. The collection reflects both the process and product of printing and is a unique resource of national and international importance.

Used by students, academics, artists, and the public, the library supports learning and research into the history of print, graphic design and technology.

The Role

As part of the Library & Learning team, you will be closely involved in projects that, under our new vision and mission, aim to transform SBF into a contemporary institute serving the creative industries, researchers and the wider public. The role will suit someone with a passion to take on challenges with the aim of creating a cultural hub fit for the 21st century. 

Job title: Collections and Archives Manager

Job overview

St Bride Foundation (SBF) is seeking a Collections and Archives Manager with strong project management and collections management skills to support the development, preservation, and accessibility of our library and archive collections. Alongside this our preferred candidate will have excellent people management and engagement skills.

The Collections and Archives Manager will manage the smooth running of the Reading Room, library enquiry services and manage our library volunteers.

Working as part of a small team, the role will involve helping to develop and deliver aspects of the learning programme, especially those relating to engagement with the collections through activities including tours, talks and exhibitions.  

The Collections and Archives Manager will work closely with the Foundation Librarian to oversee library and archival operations, and develop policies to improve storage, accessibility, and preservation.

As part of our wider strategic plans this role is pivotal in ensuring the safe relocation of collection materials, implementing best practices in storage and conservation, and enhancing the long-term sustainability of our holdings.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the development of our collections, research services and related learning programme during a period of change for the organisation that will ensure our building is fit for purpose and our programmes of work are relevant and engaging to our communities.

Key Responsibilities

Access, Research & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support public and internal access to collection materials by providing research services and developing user-friendly finding aids.
• Collaborate with researchers, educators and community groups to enhance the impact of the collections.
• Improve discovery and accessibility of collections through database enhancements and digitisation efforts.

Project Management – Collection

• Manage the care, storage, and documentation of the Foundations collection, including developing and implementing policies and procedures for such projects as inventory audits, collection moves, exhibitions, loans and rationalisation projects.
•  Liaise with contractors, partners and internal teams to ensure the security of collections materials.
• Conduct post-project evaluations and implement improvements for future collection projects.

Collections Management & Preservation

• Develop the collections in line with the Foundations collections policy, reflecting SBFs audiences.
• Work closely with conservation specialists to develop and implement storage strategies that align with best practice standards, improving environmental controls and storage solutions.
• Oversee cataloging, metadata creation, and collections documentation.
•  Manage digital preservation strategies and support digitisation projects to increase access to collections.
•  Develop risk management strategies for collection security, environmental conditions, and disaster preparedness.

Outreach, Engagement & Advocacy

• Contribute to learning and engagement programs, including talks, tours, workshops, exhibitions, and digital content—that promote engagement with the collections across diverse audiences.
•  Collaborate with institutions, community partners, and funding bodies to support and develop collections-based projects such as research projects, youth programmes and oral histories.
•  Work with the wider team to share stories from the collections to support advocacy, fundraising, and awareness campaigns.
• Ensure all outreach activity aligns with the organisation’s mission and values, with a commitment to access, inclusion, and engagement with communities and content.

Policy & Funding

• Assist in policy development regarding collections management.
•  Work with the Foundation Librarian and Fundraising Manager to identify and pursue funding opportunities to support the collections.
•  Advocate for the value and significance of the collections within the organisation and to external stakeholders, including funders, partner institutions, and policymakers.

Team Leadership & Administration

• Supervise, support and manage library staff,volunteer and placement workloads and ensure efficient allocation of resources for ongoing projects.
• Represent the Foundation at professional conferences, meetings, and collaborations with external organisations.

Required Skills & Experience:

Essential

• A post graduate qualification in Archives and Records Management.
•  Significant experience of working in an archive setting.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience with collections management systems.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and risk assessment skills for managing large projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, contractors, and external partners.

Desirable

• Familiarity with heritage or museum-sector projects.
• Knowledge of funding application processes and grant writing.

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.
• Highly organised and methodical, with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• A collaborative team player who enjoys engaging with different stakeholders.
• Passionate about preserving and improving access to library and archive collections.

Location: St Bride Foundation

Salary: £36,000 – £45,000 pa (Band 3)

Reports to: Foundation Librarian

How to Apply

• Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter outlining their suitability for the role.