Summary

***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY PLEASE***

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Project Manager to deliver the pilot testing phase of our work to introduce written interpretation to several historic house interiors in a sensitive way appropriate to the setting. Our aim is to identify the best way to deliver accessible, temporary written interpretation about histories, collections and buildings, and the people associated with our places at three test properties, which will inform the roll-out of this activity to 38 of our places.

We are looking for someone with drive, creativity, and the ability to work at pace, with versatile project management skills who can deliver successful outcomes. You’ll be a highly organised individual with experience of planning and delivering inspirational interpretation and creative displays to engage and delight our visitors.

This is a fixed-term full-time role for six months, with potential for future extension as the project progresses.

Salary: Â£35,000 - £42,810 dependent on experience

Contract: This can be a fixed term contact or secondment 

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon, however there will be an opportunity to explore and agree remote working arrangements which strike the right balance for you and the Trust. The role will involve some travel to properties or regional hubs to meet with stakeholders and to carry out work.

What it's like to work here

You’ll work as part of a small central team within the Curation and Experiences directorate, with a balance of home and office working (based at Heelis, Swindon and Grosvenor Gardens, London).  You will be liaising closely with a central project team, regional curators producing content, external creative design companies to deliver pop-up displays and operational teams at three participating properties.

Interpretation matters to us because it is one of the primary ways that we can deliver benefit to our audiences – by increasing our visitors’ enjoyment, understanding, and emotional engagement; affording inspiration, exploration of ideas and new perspectives, or simply contributing to pleasure of a visit.

Written  interpretation represents a departure to the way that we have interpreted our houses, so we are going to pilot a range of temporary approaches at three properties, to inform a larger introduction of written interpretation at 38 of our places. You will work with three external design agencies  to come up with different approaches which will be evaluated by seeking feedback from visitors, an audience panel, volunteers, and internal specialists and stakeholders.

This fixed term post focuses on creation and delivery of pilot interpretation at three properties in the South West, London & South East and Midlands & East.

What you'll be doing

You’ll work in a small, passionate central project team, supporting the creation, delivery and evaluation of some pilot testing written interpretation at three properties.

The learning from this work will inform the plans for roll-out of written interpretation at 38 properties across all regions and countries; and will contribute to our plans for a more advanced phase 2 of broader interpretation resources in the years ahead.

Reporting to the Project Manager for Curation & Experiences leading the project, you’ll be responsible for delivering a diverse range of interpretation test materials working in a test-and-learn approach alongside consultant and operational teams within the National Trust.

You’ll be focused on delivery to time and budget, coordinating the interpretation design and production – from tender through contract completion, management of design brief – with delegated budget responsibility. You’ll work closely with national specialists and curatorial teams who will be leading the content creation.

You’ll be responsible for managing activity to re-imagine how we provide written interpretation sensitive to historic house spaces in some of our most significant places. As part of this work you will consider spatial and graphic design elements, sustainable materials and lead on production and logistics, through to installation and snagging.

With proven experience in developing interpretation, creative displays and championing an audience-focused approach, you’ll bring your professional expertise, creativity and experience to our work. You’ll have a track record in successful delivery of exhibitions, interpretation, audience engagement and an understanding of project management.

Who we're looking for

• Knowledge of specialisms in curation, design and production, interpretation
• Experience of managing projects with expertise, creativity and vision, and of working with designers and design processes to deliver interpretive materials
• Understanding of delivering written interpretation for collections and property narratives in historically and conservation sensitive environments
• Experience of successfully delivering end to end project management including managing budgets and external contractors; and of leading delivery teams 
• Able to establish realistic project plans incorporating coordination with interdependent other projects and business as usual activities 
• Experience evaluating outputs and outcomes to enhance future work
• You’ll be used to multidisciplinary teams, working with a range of other specialists, internal and external, while confident when to work along and when to draw on the skills of others
• Excellent communication, people, problem-solving and influencing skills and confidence liaising with senior leaders and managing complex internal stakeholder relationships.
• Experience in understanding, processing, and presenting complex information for a range of audiences
• Able to effectively prioritise and make clear recommendations for the project team and links to wider programme objectives
• Audience-focused, familiar with Everything Speaks - seven principles of interpretation) and our Interpreting History policy and with applying interpretative approaches that are inclusive and meet user needs 
• Experience of working within environmentally sustainable materials and supply chains

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