Summary

We're looking for someone to undertake the day-to-day management of this unique project as we develop plans for the long-term future of Hinemihi – a Maori meeting house and carvings.

As Project Manager, we want you to build on our positive relationships with existing Maori stakeholders, as well as new communities, to ensure that Hinemihi becomes an intrinsic part of the experience at Clandon.

Contract: This is a full time, fixed term contract up until 28th February 2026. 

This role is open to *Internal Applicants only*

Our colleagues work for the National Trust in many locations and sometimes don't have easy access to internal vacancy listings. Using the internet ensures we can reach as many of our colleagues as possible. We appreciate that this can be frustrating for external talent. Do note that some roles are released externally after an initial period of time.

What it's like to work here

In 1892 William Hillier, 4th Earl of Onslow, purchased carvings from a Maori meeting house to take back to his home, Clandon Park in England, following his 4-year tenure as Governor of New Zealand.

 For the Ngāti Hinemihi community in New Zealand, the carvings are the spiritual and physical embodiment of an honoured female ancestress, Hinemihi,

 The carvings were attached to a new structure at Clandon Park and have provided the Maori community in the UK with a meeting place for social, spiritual and cultural activity, as well as a strong connection to their homeland.

Our project is to agree and implement a plan for the long-term future for the carvings and meeting house at Clandon, working closely with our Maori partners in the UK and New Zealand.

We’re a cross disciplinary team and we do a mixture of remote and onsite work, from Clandon or a National Trust hub, likely to be Wisley or London. Due to the nature of this role, there may be a requirement to work very occasional weekends.

What you'll be doing

This role will be responsible for undertaking the day-to-day management of the project. Alongside the duties you would expect as a project manager, you’ll really enjoy developing deep and productive relationships with our Maori partners to ensure that our plans are truly collaborative.

You’ll develop your understanding of Maori beliefs and customs as part of this to ensure our approach is sensitive and consistent, as well as being able to communicate the National Trust’s views clearly to our partners.

You’ll work closely with the wider Clandon project and operational teams to ensure that the Hinemihi project is fully integrated with the wider plans for the property.

You’ll be working in collaboration with experts in construction, communications, cultural heritage, community engagement, curation, conservation, statutory planning and visitor experience, helping us define and develop our plans for the long-term future of Hinemihi.

This will include: 

• Helping to develop clear ways of working for all partners
• Enabling our partners to engage effectively in project planning and delivery
• Producing clear programmes and processes for obtaining statutory and regulatory permissions

Who we're looking for

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate the following;

Experience:

• Management of projects involving a significant element of stakeholder engagement
• Working collaboratively to achieve results

Capabilities

• Able to meaningfully engage with stakeholders while managing project sensitivities
• Willing to become familiar with, and be sensitive to, different cultural traditions and perspectives
• Excellent influencing and diplomacy skills

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.