Museum Director / CEO – Yorkshire Air Museum

An opportunity has arisen at the Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial for the appointment of a dynamic director to take our established and independent museum to the next phase of its development.

The museum celebrates aviation history with a unique collection of aircraft on display at Yorkshire’s best-preserved, original airfield base next to the famous Elvington Airfield.  The base played a significant part in the bigger picture of WW2. We tell stories of innovation, ingenuity and courage that give insight into the aircraft and the people who made and flew them to inform and inspire current and future generations.

We have twenty full and part-time paid staff, and 100+ dedicated volunteers who act as archivists, guides, and stewards and with teams of engineers to maintain the fleet of nearly fifty significant and historic aircraft. The museum is a charity. The wholly owned trading company contributes vital income through a new café, shop and conference suite and requires business acumen to fully realise its potential.

Before the pandemic we welcomed 55,000 – 60,000 visitors and our open and well-spaced site continued to attract visitors when we were allowed to reopen. Substantial grants from the National Lottery Heritage Emergency Fund and the government’s Cultural Recovery Fund mean we are in a financial position to develop capital projects in accordance with a new business plan.

Applicants will need a proven track record in a heritage or similar setting, be passionate about the historic value of our site and collections, able to deliver increased visitor footfall and revenue, coordinate fundraising and develop our links to education and the local community.

We are looking for a Museum Director who can capture and maintain the heart of all that our conservation, heritage and memorial aspects involve, combined with vision and creativity for the future to ensure that our offer to the public and our presence as an exciting venue to visit or utilise repeatedly, are both realised and exceeded.

You will need a thorough knowledge of best practice and standards of Collection Care to maintain our museum accreditation, a track record of overseeing a volunteer programme which engages volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and be an accomplished communicator.

How to apply

If you feel you have the experience at a senior level to deliver on this worthwhile opportunity and would like to know more, contact Vice-Chair of Trustees, Rachel Semlyen, in the first instance for an informal chat [email protected]

The closing date for applications: 6 January 2022. Interviews will take place online and then in person at Elvington in mid-January.