Heritage manager

Heritage manager job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Most heritage managers are employed by national charitable organisations such as The National Trust, The National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage, Historic Scotland and CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments. Other employers include local authorities, cathedrals, privately owned historical buildings and independent museums. Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• managing budgets
• financial/project planning
• recruiting, training and supervising staff/volunteers
• preparing, writing and distributing publicity leaflets, materials, displays etc.
• liaising with council departments, funding agencies, community organisations, voluntary/local history groups, tourist bodies, and private companies
• undertaking research to maintain awareness of developments within the field
• generating income via fundraising activities, membership, grants, retail activities etc
• developing heritage attractions to enhance and increase visitor access
• advertising and marketing the attraction(s)
• undertaking customer surveys and assessing the results.

Vacancies attract strong competition. There has been a decline in the number of permanent positions available and staff turnover is generally slow. Positions are increasingly offered on short/fixed term contracts. Jobs are advertised via the internet, in local authority vacancy lists, newspapers and publications including Museums Journal, Museums Association Bulletin, Museums and Arts Appointments and Opportunities. Jobs may receive little advertising, so networking and speculative applications to key employers are advisable.

Qualifications and training required

The minimum academic qualification required for entry into the profession is a good honours degree in a subject such as heritage/archive/museum studies, archaeology, history, art conservation, history of art, fine/visual art, marketing or business studies. A postgraduate qualification in heritage/museum management is beneficial and may be a requirement for some positions.

Prior relevant voluntary and/or paid work experience is almost always essential. Short-term volunteering opportunities and a small number of placements are available with employers such as The National Trust, English Heritage, The Museums Association and The Wordsworth Trust.

Key skills for heritage managers

Employers seek candidates displaying a genuine enthusiasm for, interest in and understanding of heritage work. Good teamworking, organisational, communication and interpersonal skills are essential.