Museum director jobs

Title: Director of Finance & Operations

Location: London (hybrid working – minimum two days a week in the office)

Art Fund is seeking a strategic and collaborative Director of Finance & Operations to join its Senior Management Team and help shape the future of the UK’s cultural landscape.

Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art. With over 142,000 members and a network of 900 museums, galleries, and historic places across the UK, it is a pioneering and independent voice in the cultural sector enriching collections, growing audiences, and advocating for the vital role museums play in society.

This role comes at an exciting and transformative time for the organisation. As Art Fund progresses through the final stages of its 2022/27 strategy and prepares for the next chapter, the Director of Finance and & Operations will play a critical leadership role in helping the organisation scale its impact, drive operational excellence, and support long-term growth.

The opportunity

The Director of Finance and & Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership across the following key areas: finance, people, governance, legal, facilities, and risk. They will lead a multidisciplinary internal services team and work closely with the Director, Senior Management Team, and Board of Trustees.

Major priorities will include embedding a new finance system, supporting the successful delivery of a cross-organisational CRM implementation, and the next five-year strategy and financial plan.

This position requires a qualified accountant with strong strategic planning and commercial acumen, ideally with experience supporting income growth and business innovation in a complex, values-driven organisation. They will be a natural relationship builder with excellent interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills.

While prior experience in the arts, heritage, or charity sectors is welcome, it’ is not essential. What matters most is a genuine passion for Art Fund’s mission to make art and culture accessible to all.

Candidate profile

Art Fund is looking for an individual who can demonstrate:

• Proven success in strategic leadership and financial management
• Strong experience of business planning and income generation
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• A commitment to data-led decision-making and continuous improvement
• Deep understanding of organisational governance, risk, and compliance
• Outstanding team leadership and the ability to foster a positive, values-based workplace culture

What Art Fund offers

Art Fund offers a rewarding working environment, a beautiful canal-side office in King’s Cross, and a compelling benefits package, including:

• 27 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Free National Art Pass (with a plus one)
• Art Allowance and Art Time to support cultural engagement
• Private healthcare cashback plan
• Flexible hybrid working and home office equipment allowance

Art Fund is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

Allen Lane is acting as an employment agency advisor for The Art Fund on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit Allen Lane website or reach out to Rosemary Pini at Allen Lane.

Timeline:

• Closing date: Wednesday 14th May
• Shortlisting: 28th May
• First interviews: Week commencing 2nd June
• Final Stage Interviews: Week Commencing 9th June and 16th June

Role Purpose

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the Royal Hospital Chelsea as Assistant Director of Audience Engagement on a fixed term contract to cover maternity leave.  A core focus of the role is to develop the Royal Hospital Chelsea into a national heritage destination while ensuring our community of veterans remains at the heart of everything we do.

During this fixed term contract, you will be responsible for delivering our public engagement strategy, and drive visits to, and engagement with, the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s heritage, supporting sustained and manageable footfall and increased income through public programmes, secondary spend and commercial visitor opportunities.  

You will oversee the successful delivery and operation of the new Visitor Centre within the recently restored Soane Stable Yard, ensuring the visitor experience both onsite and digital is inspiring, inclusive, and impactful. You will also lead our contribution to the Chelsea Heritage Quarter, including co-delivering the annual Chelsea History Festival, working alongside key partners: the National Army Museum and Chelsea Physic Garden.

This role carries senior leadership responsibility, including line management of a talented team covering public programmes, community engagement, visitor experience, and retail. You are also responsible for managing RHC’s relationship with a café concession. You will work closely with colleagues across the Royal Hospital Chelsea and externally to grow our public reach and income potential, positioning the Royal Hospital Chelsea prominently within London’s cultural landscape and the wider heritage sector.

About You

We are looking for an inspiring, strategic leader with a proven track record in the heritage, museums, or visitor attraction sector. You will bring significant experience in audience engagement or similar roles, including at least five in a senior leadership or management capacity. You will be adept at developing and delivering public-facing programmes, and leading a high-performing, multidisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will be a creative thinker with excellent communication skills, a strong grasp of commercial opportunities, and the ability to develop inclusive strategies that attract core, target, and hard-to-reach audiences.

About Us.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the iconic Chelsea Pensioners since 1692 provides both sheltered accommodation and full nursing care for up to 300 retired British Army veterans.

The ethos of the Royal Hospital is one that puts a premium on selflessness and companionship.  Our values of nurturing belonging, respect individuals, encourage pride and enjoy life underpin that ethos. We are united in a shared purpose, living and working together and ensuring everyone has a place in our diverse social and military community.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, where all backgrounds and abilities can reach their full potential. We pride ourselves on attracting a wide range of talent, removing potential barriers, and promoting equal opportunities. We know, the more varied and inclusive our teams are, the better our organisation will be for our community. We are a Disability Confident employer dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring you are treated with respect throughout the recruitment process and upon joining our community.

Our selection process.

Should your application be successful you will be invited to a formal interview, where you will be asked questions relating to your experiences and key requirements of the role. If you are successful after the interviews, we will:

• Ask for references from those you have listed on your application form
• Check your right to live and work in the UK
• Check any declarations you have made on your application form
• Ask you to complete a medical form
• Carry out an Enhanced DBS application.

Job Description

In this pivotal role, you are responsible for ensuring not only the efficient and effective operation of the organisation, but also the quality of public engagement and the achievement of CSC’s annual direct revenue targets. You help steer and coordinate all of CSC’s workstreams, translating the organisation’s vision into action that is grounded, sustainable, and scalable. Your remit includes oversight of all public and school engagement, operations at the Trinity Centre, and outreach delivery for remote-site pop-ups.

People and talent management sit at the heart of this role. CSC is powered by an exceptionally skilled, passionate, and committed team, and your primary responsibility is to create the conditions in which they can thrive. You coordinate planning across functions, define clear pathways forward, remove obstacles, and keep priorities aligned—empowering others to do their best work.

You are a thoughtful, supportive, and trusted leader—respected for your fairness, clarity, and calm. You set high standards, not through pressure, but by fostering a culture of growth, accountability, and mutual respect. You understand the value of developing individuals and teams, nurturing talent while keeping the organisation agile and focused.

Empathy, clarity, and accountability are central to your leadership approach. You bring a “firm but fair” ethos to everything you do—balancing care with rigour, and ensuring people feel valued, heard, and united in purpose.

You lead CSC’s budgeting, cost control, and direct revenue generation, working closely with the Finance Director to oversee all financial operations. Beyond finance, you are responsible for maintaining and evolving the IT and business systems that underpin CSC’s day-to-day operations—ensuring the organisation can coordinate effectively, track progress, and resolve issues with a solutions-focused mindset.

Leveraging Cambridge’s world-class deep-tech ecosystem, you help ensure CSC remains at the forefront of best-in-class management systems and processes. You assess their potential for cost-effectiveness and operational value before planning and managing implementation.

You also work in close partnership with the CEO and Board to identify organisational risks and develop robust mitigation strategies—ensuring CSC remains resilient, responsive, and well-positioned for the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of CSC’s annual operational plan, aligning delivery with strategic priorities, managing budget adherence, and reporting quarterly to the Board on progress and performance.

• Oversee the organisation’s engagement with the public, schools, and local communities, including activity at the Trinity Centre and through outreach initiatives.

• In coordination with fellow Directors, support the CEO in translating their vision and strategy into actionable workflows by setting measurable goals, assigning clear ownership, and guiding team leads to develop practical delivery plans—overseeing progress and ensuring alignment throughout.

• Develop and maintain a corporate dashboard that provides a clear, at-a-glance view of the organisation’s performance against its annual plans—offering an ongoing health check throughout the year.

• Ensure regular, focused cross-team check-ins are in place to support coordination, align workflows, and provide timely visibility of upcoming activities and priorities.

• Line-manage the Visitor Experience Manager and Engagement and Logistics Lead.

• Support the Visitor Experience Manager in setting and achieving annual direct revenue targets, while ensuring Cambridge Science Centre serves as a vibrant showcase of the organisation’s brand and values.

• Support the Engagement and Logistics Lead to ensure the delivery team is well-trained, motivated, and equipped to deliver high-quality engagements. Oversee the development of fair and forward-planned rotas, and ensure any unassigned delivery capacity is allocated in a way that maximises value for CSC while supporting individual development and growth.

• Support the Outreach and Innovation Manager to integrate their team’s workflow with that of the Delivery and Visitor Engagement team.

• Ensure that each team member has a clearly defined individual development plan reviewed and agreed annually, with regular check-ins to keep progress on track and ensure ongoing support throughout the year.

• Set and regularly review CSC’s corporate policies to ensure they remain current, relevant, and understood by all staff.

• Ensure all staff receive appropriate training to maintain a safe, low-risk environment for both colleagues and the public at all times—covering safeguarding, health and safety, de-escalation, and emergency procedures.

• Review all CSC contracts at key development stages to ensure commitments are clearly understood, feasible, and aligned with the organisation’s capacity to deliver.

• Oversee CSC’s contractual fulfilment and organisational risk management, including asset tracking and oversight in coordination with the Visitor Engagement Manager and Product Development Officer. Work alongside the Finance Director to maintain and review the company’s risk register on a six-monthly basis, ensuring risks are monitored and mitigated effectively.

• Oversee the implementation and ongoing management of IT, HR, and business systems—ensuring effective staff training, consistent usage, and accessible support to maximise organisational efficiency and impact.

• Manage CSC’s documentation policies, digital archiving, and workspace structures (e.g., Google Drive), including the assignment and oversight of access permissions to ensure clarity, security, and ease of use.
   

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Brings a solutions-oriented mindset and a practical, inclusive approach to problem-solving, underpinned by a positive and collaborative “can-do” attitude.

• A seasoned line and team manager who leads with a “firm but fair” ethos—valuing clear communication, personal accountability, and empathetic leadership to foster a supportive and high-performing team culture.

• Proven experience overseeing spaces, systems, and logistical operations, preferably within a public venue environment, with a strong understanding of the practicalities of day-to-day visitor management and operational delivery.

• An inclusive and approachable leader with a natural curiosity, you foster an open-door culture and ask the right questions to help people and teams explore ideas and reach effective solutions.

• You are detail-oriented and methodical, ensuring that planning is assigned, completed, and maintained. You work well in advance to create plans that are clear, comprehensive, and easy to follow—making sure everyone understands their role and is committed to achieving shared goals.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.

• Confident and literate in IT networks and business systems, with the ability to navigate, implement, and support digital tools that enhance organisational efficiency.

• Driven to deliver timely, high-quality outcomes in everything you do.

• Proven ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changing priorities.

• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• A collaborative work ethic that enables you to work effectively with colleagues and partners across a diverse range of projects and disciplines.

• Achieve a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Desirable Criteria

• Proven experience managing public engagement across multiple sites, including coordinating dynamic pop-up exhibitions and events.

• A keen interest in staying informed about global developments and emerging trends in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

• Customer service skills and experience.

• A qualification or training in business or operational management would be advantageous, but relevant experience and skills will also be highly valued.

• Full clean driving license

Working Conditions
The primary locations for this role will be Cambridge Science Centre's Head Office at 44 Clifton Road, Cambridge, CB1 7ED (assigned desk or workspace) and the Cambridge Science Centre at Trinity Centre, Cambridge Science Park, CB4 0FN (hotdesking model).

In addition, there will be travel (primarily driving with a company or hire vehicle) to the semi-permanent centre (Inspire Wisbech Centre, Wisbech, PE13 1AR) and, on occasion a variety of locations across the East of England.

We offer the option of flexible hybrid working where and when possible.

Advancement Opportunities

CSC invests in its staff through a structured career-planning framework. As a senior staff member, your training will focus on developing best practice within the areas you manage, tailored to both organisational goals and your professional growth. These individual development opportunities are reviewed and planned annually, ensuring your continued progression and alignment with CSC’s strategic objectives.

Standard working hours are 7.5 hours per day

Parking and bike storage are available at both CSC locations.

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays

• Mental health support in partnership with BetterHelp

• Contributory pension scheme

Recruitment Process and Timeline:

To apply for the position of Director of Operations and Engagement at Cambridge Science Centre, please submit your CV and a Cover Letter explaining why you are interested in joining the Centre and how your skills and experience align with the role.

At CSC, we’re committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our work. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in science engagement.

We are committed to improving diversity and inclusion across our organisation. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and the Global Majority are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single specification. If you’re excited about the role but your experience or qualifications don’t perfectly align, we encourage you to apply anyway. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups such as the global majority, LGBTQA+, those with a disability and neurodiverse conditions.

The role:

This is a key role within the Executive Leadership team, with accountability for Finance, Procurement and IT at the Globe. You will work collaboratively with the CEO and Executive leadership team to drive strong business as usual delivery, and provide provide balanced insight to Executive Leadership Team and the Senior Leadership Group so that they can take responsibility for questioning routines and rituals, and for streamlining processes that improve efficiency.

The Finance Director is the lead on the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and is a key part of other relevant committees. You will also attend and report at Board meetings, developing strong working relationships with Board members, the Artistic Director, Executive Leadership members, members of the Senior Leadership Group (SLG), the Finance and Procurement team, the Globe’s IT contractor, and colleagues throughout the Globe.

The skills:

· Chartered Accountant.

· Extensive Director level business experience in a complex organisation.

· A strategic thinker with entrepreneurial instincts

· Demonstrable experience in managing contracts.

· Experience within the charities sector including understanding of the relevant accounting, taxation and other regulatory requirements this presents.

· Empathy with the work, aims and mission of the Globe including an appreciation of the balance between the charitable purpose and commercial imperatives.

· An effective and flexible leadership and management style with demonstrable ability to inspire, motivate, coach and develop a team.

· Credibility and authority to work effectively and liaise internally with senior staff and externally with Trustees and other stakeholders.

· An excellent negotiator and influencer with string emotional intelligence and good communication skills.

· Analytical problem-solving ability with the appetite and energy to evaluate, challenge and change the status quo.

· Experience in financial and risk compliance and governance issues.

· Accessible and inclusive report writing and presentation skills demonstrated as a part of Board level reporting.

· Positive, determined, pragmatic, and resilient – able to inspire confidence and respect.

· The ability to work flexibly in a creative, fast-moving environment and understand the importance of artistic risk taking and to respond positively to it.

· Experience in, or a personal interest in the arts, heritage/museum, or creative industries.

· Experience of managing IT contracts or IT staff.

The team:

The Finance Department provides timely and accurate financial information to key stakeholders while protecting Shakespeare’s Globe assets and ensures compliance with laws and regulations in relation to financial and taxation matters. Serving as a key partner on topics requiring economic, financial and value for money inputs and expertise, the Finance Department manages Accounting and Financial Reporting, Tax, Banking Relationships, Procurement, Financial Risk Management, Contracts, Management Reporting, and external audit partners

Shakespeare’s Globe:

We celebrate Shakespeare’s transformative impact on the world by conducting a radical theatrical experiment. Inspired and informed by the unique historic playing conditions of two beautiful iconic theatres, our diverse programme of work harnesses the power of performance, cultivates intellectual curiosity and excites learning to make Shakespeare accessible for all.

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Finance Assistant. We are looking for a diligent and highly organised person to provide high-quality financial and operational support to the Finance Director, enabling strategic transformation of the finance function. This role is critical in ensuring smooth daily operations, robust financial reporting, and supporting process improvement initiatives. You must be a strong communicator with meticulous attention to detail, who enjoys working in a busy professional environment.

Further information about the role including the job description, person specification and application form can be found on our website.

We realise that text-based applications may not suit everyone, so if you would like to apply in a different way, require information in a different format, or need any other support with your application, please get in touch via email or telephone.

Bath Preservation Trust is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We will particularly welcome applications from people from those sections of the community who are under-represented in Bath Preservation Trust and in the wider heritage sector including those from Global Ethnic Majority and/or disabled applicants.

Are you knowledgeable and passionate about community and health? Could you recruit, lead and support a team of community volunteers to run fun and healthy living initiatives? Do you have the ability to take the unexpected in your stride? Then why not join us at SMART?

We are looking for someone that recognises the importance of good wellbeing for all, is capable of dealing with a wide scope of managerial areas, and can work with our local communty as our Public Health-funded Community Champions Manager.

SMART is a unique Chelsea-based charity, serving the local community in a supportive and flexible environment. We offer 28 days annual leave (plus paid bank holidays), a pension program, competitive salary, and additional benefits.
   
Think you'd be a good fit? Just click the Apply button, and send us an up-to-date CV, and a 2-page covering letter telling us why.

The closing date to apply is 15th May at 23:30, with interviews taking place on 23rd May.