Head of Engagement
THE ARKWRIGHT SOCIETY LIMITED
30,000 per year
Cromford Mills, Cromford, Derbyshire
Full-time
Listed today
JOB DESCRIPTION The Arkwright Society believes in creating a supportive, teamwork-driven workplace, where working together creates the best experience for our employees and volunteers, our visitors and our tenants. The Arkwright Society is a registered charity concerned with the education and conservation of Industrial Heritage focused at Cromford Mills in Derbyshire and the Lumsdale Valley. Cromford Mills is a large heritage site with a visitor exhibition including the award- winning Arkwright Experience, tenanted offices, two cafes, retail shops, including our mill shop and a busy events programme. We have a well-established educational offer for schools and a team of enthusiastic volunteers who support the Charity. Cromford Mills is a beautiful, unique, and vibrant place to work. The site is of international significance as a key site within the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Job Title: Head of Engagement Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer Location: Contract: Salary Range: Responsibilities: Cromford Mills, Cromford, Derbyshire Permanent £30,000 - £35,000 pa. Full time position (part time considered). This role may be offered as a development appointment, with a salary reflecting experience and a structured development plan in place. The Head of Engagement plays a strategic and hands-on role in shaping and delivering public engagement for the Arkwright Society. They lead a cohesive programme spanning learning and education, marketing, volunteering, informal learning, participatory arts, and the heritage offer, working closely with the other teams particularly around the visitor journey and offer. Collaborating across the organisation, the postholder enhances visitor engagement, supports commercial opportunities, and contributes to events, fundraising, income generation, and externally funded projects. Working with the CEO and Chief Financial Officer, they help develop and deliver strategies that strengthen relationships with visitors, partners, and local communities, while increasing income and social and environmental impact. They will also lead on progressing and achieving accreditation. This is a varied and rewarding role suited to an ambitious, collaborative individual in a fast- evolving environment. The post holder will: • Lead audience development and evaluation to better understand and grow target audiences • Sustain and expand the schools programme, including increased volunteer involvement • Develop informal learning and participatory arts provision • Oversee volunteer recruitment, development, and engagement, including heritage tours and roles • Champion a high-quality, visitor-focused experience across the site • Support delivery of targeted marketing and communications • Lead and coordinate the organisation’s accreditation process • Take a leading role in shaping the externally commissioned Activity Plan, focusing on public engagement, skills and learning, as part of a major grant-funded proposal to transform key mills buildings (subject to funding) • Work with interpretation consultants as part of the same grant funded project to develop an interpretation approach site wide and enhanced interpretation as part of the capital works – to ultimately deliver a more cohesive and engaging visitor experience. Purpose of the role: As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Engagement leads the development and delivery of public engagement activity, ensuring alignment between programmes, audiences, and income generation. They foster a collaborative team culture, strengthen partnerships, and support the delivery of the Society’s strategic ambitions for Cromford Mills. Duties: Management and Leadership 1. Contribute strategically to organisational objectives, including major funding applications and projects such as the Heritage Fund development phase and Activity Planning for delivery. 2. To lead the engagement team supporting their development and ensuring they have the tools they need to do the best they can. To be responsible for the planning, delivery and review of the Engagement Team budget. 3. Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team and as part of this, provide reporting to senior leadership, trustees, boards, and funders 4. Lead the organisation’s progress towards accreditation. Communications, Marketing, and Stakeholder Engagement 5. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders – internal and external. 6. Embed evaluation and audience insight into planning and delivery. 7. Provide strategic oversight of communications across campaigns and channels working closely and supporting the marketing manager. 8. Support fundraising strategies and grant applications. Volunteering 9. Provide strategic leadership for the development, sustainability, and inclusivity of volunteering. Education and Heritage Interpretation 10. Lead development of the education strategy, supporting both formal and informal learning. 11. Take a lead role in the planning and delivery of the Arkwright Society’s strategic partnership with the University of Derby. 12. Oversee a high-quality, engaging visitor experience across heritage activities, tours, and interpretation. This is an outline description of the duties and responsibilities involved in the job. It is not exhaustive and may be revised from time to time. PERSON SPECIFICATION Head of Engagement ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE TRAINING, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS Experience of managing a wide range of stakeholder relationships and partnerships. Experience of developing learning programmes for heritage and cultural sites. Evidence of working in the heritage sector and a good understanding of the culture and heritage sector and need for income generation. Experience of developing public engagement, communication, and/or learning strategies at a senior level. Proven track record of leading, motivating and delivering through multi-disciplinary team(s) Experience of designing and delivering to people innovative approaches engagement, volunteering, participation or inclusion Competencies in using data and insight to drive engagement A good understanding of fundraising and grant assistance for heritage sites. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE Strong leadership skills, excellent communication skills and an ability to build confidence and skills in others. Understanding of balancing commercial and charitable objectives in an increasingly challenging economy Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including advocacy and networking across a wide range of difference audiences. Experience of fundraising and bid writing Practical experience of the accreditation process Experience within the commercial/ business and/or charitable sectors, including income generation Knowledge of approaches to designing and delivering: - effective social media marketing - educational programmes (informal and informal) - participatory arts programmes Experience of writing or commissioning or delivering activity plans The ability to question and challenge ways of working, with an understanding of the bigger picture in terms of the Society’s aims and external environment. ICT skills for effective use for presentations, report writings, activity plans INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Sound judgement and the ability to make clear and timely decisions in an organised way. Ability to work as part of a team and across teams, including influencing and negotiating where required and learning from others. An excellent team player willing able to be both strategic and hands on. A collaborative attitude to developing the Engagement Team and across the Society. Commitment to your own personal development to meet the changing demands of the role with agility and adaptability. The package: Benefits for working at Cromford Mills: • Flexible working at the discretion of the Society • Free staff parking • Staff discount scheme • Pension scheme • Training & Development tailored to you – this may be considered a development post and we are willing to discuss this with prospective applicants. The Arkwright Society is committed to providing equality of opportunity. If you have a disability, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you.