Summary

In this role you will provide the leadership and strategic direction of the internationally respected textile conservation studio and the care and conservation of the National Trust’s extraordinary collection of historic textiles.

What it's like to work here

We’re bigger than you think, we’re more complicated than we appear and we’re larger scale than you’d imagine. We’ve got passionate people in all our teams, and we’ve got so much more we want to achieve. We’re for everyone, for ever and we really mean that. We don’t want to stop at 5.5 million members, and we want everyone to feel welcome and enjoy access to our places, so we need to reach new audiences in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them without losing the hearts and minds of those that are already with us.

The National Trust Textile Conservation Studio, where you’ll be based, provides a comprehensive textile conservation advisory and treatment service to all National Trust properties. The studio, which has been delivering services to Trust properties for 45 years and is a centre of excellence for the care of historic textiles, is housed in an award-winning barn conversion on the Blickling Estate in Norfolk. State-of-the-art equipment enables a talented, enthusiastic direct labour team of Trust conservators to tackle large and complicated textile conservation projects.

What you'll be doing

Thinking holistically, you will develop priorities for the conservation and care of textiles collections and plan the strategic work programme of the conservation studio, leading the team to achieve a sustainable business model and meeting professional standards of practice.  As a senior leader and functional lead, you’ll work collaboratively, sharing your expertise, knowledge, guidance and technical skills with colleagues across the Trust, achieving sustainable standards of conservation, presentation and access.

You’ll be a passionate champion for the work you do supporting with external communications and public engagement, highlighting the significance of our collections, and taking a leading role in fundraising to enable further conservation and research. 

Having a collaborative approach, you’ll work with external colleagues to develop joint research projects in support of IRO status.

Who we're looking for

We’d like you to bring the following skills and experience to the role:

• You’ll have a post-graduate qualification in textiles conservation (or equivalent achievements) and significant post qualification experience in the conservation of textiles 
• A thorough understanding of theory and practice of collections conservation in a historic context 
• High standards of leadership and consulting skills: listening, building trust and delivering quality service 
• Excellent communications skills, including public speaking, and speaking to the media
• Managing and delivering innovation in a multi-disciplinary environment and teams 
• Ability to prioritise across multiple workstreams, based on subject area and organisational priorities
• Financial planning and management skills and experience, including a proven track record of managing budgets, finances, large projects and contracts
• Experience in fundraising and advocacy work

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.