Chief Executive – Showtown

The Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust is seeking its first Chief Executive.

The Trust is a charitable company which is responsible for the long term operation of Showtown, the museum of fun and entertainment and Heritage Blackpool. This is a unique and very special opportunity.

This is the start of an exciting new chapter as the Trust takes over responsibility from Blackpool Council. Our new, united organisation will bring together Heritage Blackpool, the body which preserves, develops and celebrates Blackpool’s amazing heritage, and Showtown, our brand new all-singing, all-dancing museum, due to open in 2023, thus leading Blackpool’s heritage into an exciting and sustainable future.

Chief Executive, Blackpool Heritage & Museum Trust

We aim to be fun, participatory and inclusive. Financially strong, ethically driven, and a true exemplar for what a best-in-class, heritage-centred charitable business represents. We have a robust business model in place that gives us the flexibility to be bold and innovative.

As our Chief Executive you will work collaboratively with our Board of Trustees and Blackpool Council to ensure the new charitable company is ready to hit the ground running when it assumes its full responsibility from Blackpool Council. This post is key to building the foundations for the Trust’s future success by taking on responsibility for the leadership, strategic direction and overall performance of the Trust, developing its culture and promoting Blackpool locally, nationally and internationally.

You will deliver on our vision and ambition by bringing significant senior strategic leadership experience and of leading an organisation through major change. You will demonstrate a high level of organisational ability, self-motivation and self-discipline and bring experience of managing significant budgets, effective business planning and income generation.

Supported by an excellent team, working with staff and trustees, and engaged funders and partners you will create an entrepreneurial, vibrant, independent, respected and much loved organisation, which is connected, has excellence at its heart and offers its many audiences and visitors a top class experience.

Rooted in Blackpool and deeply committed and invested in our local communities you will also play a leading and a pivotal role in building our presence and positioning the Trust as a leading heritage organisation.

Please click here for the full recruitment pack>>

If you are interested in this unique opportunity, share our passion and drive and would welcome an informal and confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant Philip Nelson on 07771 95395 or via email on [email protected].

Closing date: Sunday 10 April 2022

First Round Interviews: week commencing 25 April 2022

Final Panel Interviews: week commencing 16 May 2022