Heritage manager: job description

What does a heritage manager do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Heritage managers look after historic properties and sites, keeping them and their contents in good condition so that visitors can enjoy them.

Other typical responsibilities include:

• managing budgets
• financial/project planning
• recruiting, training and supervising staff and volunteers
• liaising with council departments, funding agencies, community organisations, voluntary and local history groups, tourist bodies and private companies
• generating income via fundraising activities, membership, grants and retail activities
• ensuring artefacts are cared for

managing restoration and conservation projects

• developing heritage attractions to enhance and increase visitor access
• attracting customers through marketing and using IT
• devising outreach activities
• writing reports
• undertaking customer surveys and assessing the results.

Typical employers of heritage managers

• The National Trust
• English Heritage
• Historic Environments Scotland
• Independently owned historic houses and spaces

Jobs are advertised on general job sites, industry-related sites such as the Museums Association and conservation charities' sites. These organisations also share job opportunities on social media. Casual and non-specialist jobs may also be advertised in community news sources, such as newsletters and local charities' newsletters.

Qualifications and training required

Most applicants will have a degree, often in a subject such as heritage, archive or museum studies, archaeology, history, art conservation, history of art, fine art, 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 essential. Look for short-term volunteering opportunities and a small number of placements with organisations such as The National Trust, English Heritage and the Churches Conservation Trust.

Key skills for heritage managers

Employers seek candidates displaying a genuine enthusiasm for, interest in and understanding of heritage work. Other essential qualities and skills include:

• the ability to work in a team
• good communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts to visitors
• commercial awareness
• planning and project management experience.