Operations & Visitor Experience Manager

Role: Operations & Visitor Experience Manager

Location:

Reports to:
Contract Type:
Salary:

Cambridge Science Centre,
Cambridge Science Park, CB4 0FN
Director of Operations and Engagement
Permanent, Full Time
£40,000

Cambridge Science Centre
For more than ten years, Cambridge Science Centre (CSC) has been sparking curiosity and a love
of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in young people across the East of
England. We focus mainly on ages 0 to 13 because the evidence is clear: building confidence and
interest in STEM early on can open up all sorts of opportunities later in life.

Our programmes are designed to be joyful, surprising, and genuinely eye-opening experiences
that help young people see themselves and the world in new ways. Through hands-on exploration
and open-ended learning, we aim to complement formal education and help every child find what
excites them most about STEM.

We develop and deliver a wide range of STEM engagement content for young people from the
early years through to Key Stage 3, and we work closely with the parents, carers, and educators
who play such an important role in their lives.

Each year, around 30,000 young people take part in our activities, whether in schools,
communities, or at our own centres, and our goal is always the same: to help them imagine and
shape a brighter future. With the recent opening of our new permanent venue in Cambridge,
alongside continued delivery through our semi-permanent centre in Wisbech, we are now able to
build deeper and more sustained relationships with the communities that benefit most from what
we offer. Cambridge Science Centre is an independent educational charity (Registered Charity
No. 1146349). You can find out more at www.cambridgesciencecentre.org.

Job Description
As the Operations and Visitor Experience Manager, you play a pivotal role at CSC, with full
responsibility for our Centre in Cambridge Science Park and our secondary site, currently in
Wisbech.

An essential part of your role is to drive CSC’s direct revenue streams connected to the Centre.
You will lead your team in generating public and school bookings, and in overseeing community
audiences, private hires, and other groups, ensuring every visitor enjoys a seamless and
welcoming experience. You will also take a proactive approach to increasing visitor numbers,
expanding CSC’s membership base, and researching and developing new revenue-generating
initiatives that strengthen our long-term sustainability.

Your expertise in creating and implementing exhibition spaces will be instrumental in bringing to
life our annual delivery calendar of science themes, which is strategically curated to attract and
engage our audiences while supporting the delivery of our Programmes. You will oversee an
annual budget covering the shop and site facilities.

You will work closely with the Outreach and Innovation Manager to prioritise, schedule, and
maintain products and content in line with CSC’s core Programmes and commitments, ensuring
impactful experiences for all audiences. In collaboration with the Marketing and Communications
Manager, you will plan and execute advertising campaigns targeting both the public and schools.
You will also coordinate with the Corporate Partnerships Manager to develop opportunities for
corporate partners to support on-site exhibitions and events, ensuring agreed partnerships are
effectively tracked and delivered.

Beyond operations, you will champion excellence in STEM engagement, providing both positive
and constructive feedback to the Engagement and Logistics Lead to ensure CSC’s offerings
remain best-in-class. This is an opportunity to shape the visitor experience at CSC, ensuring it
remains dynamic, inspiring, and accessible to all.

Key Responsibilities

●  Create a welcoming and engaging environment for all visitors to our centres.
●  Support and line-manage the Delivery and Sales Administrator and the Finance and

Operational Support Manager.

●  Take overall responsibility for Health and Safety across CSC sites, ensuring full compliance

with requirements at both centres. Implement corrective actions where needed, and
oversee training and incident management to maintain a safe and well-managed
environment.

●  Achieve annual direct income revenue targets across Visitors, Membership, Shop, Schools,
Parties, and STEMtots (under-fives), track progress, report findings, and take corrective
action as needed.

●  Develop and implement strategies to increase visitor numbers and drive membership

growth.

●  Research, plan, and execute new revenue projects to diversify CSC’s income streams.
●  Oversee asset records, maintenance priorities, budgets, contractors, and expenditures

across the Cambridge and Wisbech sites, ensuring the effective sourcing and delivery of
third-party exhibits and content.

●  Deliver an annual plan for exhibition-floor themes, events, and site management,

coordinating with the Outreach and Innovation Manager and the Engagement and Logistics
Lead to align activities with multi-year programmes, partner commitments, and internal
schedules such as training and exhibit maintenance.

●  Establish a multi-layered feedback system to collect, analyse, and act on visitor insights,

continuously enhancing our offering.

●  Oversee CSC’s volunteering and work experience programme, ensuring recruitment,

induction, and ongoing support are delivered to a high standard.

●  Work with the Director of Business Development to identify and address barriers for

●

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schools, supporting bursary applications and additional funding opportunities.
In coordination with your team, ensure the shop is stocked with appropriate products to
maximise sales, support at-home engagement with STEM after a family visit and promote a
message of sustainability.
Increase school bookings through strategic planning, aligning with schools’ annual planning
cycles, targeted outreach, and the effective delivery of engagement programmes.

●  Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to plan and deliver advertising for
exhibitions, events, and school engagement, ensuring effective promotion of activities at
both the Cambridge and Wisbech centres.

●  Manage the budget and oversee all contractors and expenditures related to the Cambridge

site and Wisbech.

●  Provide financial support, working closely with the Director of Operations and Engagement

to ensure CSC’s operational sustainability.

Essential Criteria

●  Experience managing a visitor attraction, including responsibility for income targets and

cost control.

●  A creative and engaging mindset, with a proven ability to work with a team to create

intriguing and popular spaces.

●  A thorough and operational approach to planning, risk management, and the continuous

improvement of processes.

●  Demonstrated success in increasing visitor numbers and driving membership growth

through strategic planning and effective execution.

●  Experience in researching, planning, and delivering new revenue-generating projects.
●  A strong track record of increasing school bookings through targeted outreach and strategic

programme design.

●  Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety management, including experience in

leading compliance activity and training across multiple sites.

●  Strong financial acumen, with the ability to support budgeting, forecasting, and operational

financial oversight

●  Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
●  A strong drive 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, enabling you to work effectively with colleagues and partners

across a wide range of projects.

●  Competent and confident in using standard computer applications.
●  Achieve a satisfactory enhanced DBS check
●  Full clean driving license
●  Confident in using IT platforms, databases, and digital communication tools.

Desirable Criteria

●  A passion for staying up to date with worldwide developments in science, technology,

engineering, and maths.

●  Experience in using spaces to support learning or community development.
●  Knowledge of sustainability practices in operations and visitor engagement.
●  Project management qualifications or equivalent experience.
●  Experience with CRM systems and membership platforms
●  Experience in science communication or in working with families, adults, and children.
●  Strong customer service skills and experience.
●  Level 3 or equivalent qualification in a STEM subject.

Working Conditions
The primary location for this role is Cambridge Science Centre at Trinity Centre, Cambridge
Science Park, CB4 0FN; however, travel to secondary sites and the main office will be required.
One working weekend per month will also be required.

Advancement Opportunities
CSC invests in its staff via a career planning framework that includes training, team leadership
opportunities, and opportunities to gain experience in operations, business or community
development, and technical specialisms. Opportunities for individual development are reviewed
annually.

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 this position, 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. Send your
application to: jobs@cambridgesciencecentre.org.

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.