Museum Director – Edward Jenner’s House

Job Description: Museum Director

Reports To: Chair of Trustees.

20 days annual leave (25 days pro rata) + public holidays

Salary: £35,000 per annum (pro rata)

The Jenner Trust is entering an exciting new phase as we are applying for UNESCO world heritage status and for a substantial Lottery Fund grant to renovate the museum and garden.

We would love you to tell us why you think you have what it takes to come on this journey with us. Edward Jenner was a world class innovator- become a part of his legacy to mankind. 

Dr Jenner’s house, The Chantry, is a unique part of the world’s heritage as the birthplace of vaccination. It is here that Edward Jenner lived and worked as a country doctor and enlightenment figure. His fame came from the development of the world’s first vaccine in the 1790s, a huge medical breakthrough that changed the world.

The Jenner Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered charity number 1158316) responsible for running the museum, providing educational facilities exploring vaccination and as a community asset for Berkeley.

Dr Jenner’s House and garden is a one-acre site containing two Grade II* listed structures (The Chantry and Temple of Vaccinia) as well as the Cyder House where we have our offices and conference centre. We welcome over 4000 visitors each year, host school visits, events and conferences.

The museum is open between Easter and October from Sunday to Wednesday each week, with booked visits and events during our closed season.

The Museum Director is the leader of Dr Jenner’s House and is required to be on site. As well as leading day to day operations of the museum, the Director is responsible for the development and delivery of key strategies to enable the Charity to fulfil its aims. You will enable our future vision and commercial resilience to become a reality.

We are a small independent museum and run on a tight budget. There are 4 part time staff reporting to the Museum Director, totalling around 1.5 FTE. One of these is our Duty Manager working 4 days per week who is responsible for our team of 40 volunteers.

This is an exciting time to join our team. We have recently been awarded a “2024 Place of Science” by the Royal Society, our UNESCO World Heritage Status bid is progressing and we have started our application with the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a substantial grant which will build our team and begin meaningful restoration works to the site. We have a new Chairman and solid team of Trustees with the ability to drive us forwards, a newly appointed duty manager and increasing numbers of volunteers.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and Governance:

A strategic thinker grounded in the practical reality of governance, willing to work collaboratively with the Board and volunteers in an organised and consistent way.

Operations:

An ability to manage the essential day-to-day activities to run Dr Jenners House in compliance with all statutory regulations. Undertake a pragmatic approach to operational necessities and seek best-value for the Trust to keep meeting our obligations as well as our objectives.

Income Generation and Budget Management:

The main priority: the Director will continue to build our long-term financial sustainability by improving upon established streams of revenue, as well as working to developing new income streams, grants and donations and partnerships.

Team Leadership:

A must: to enrich empower and lead and successful and happy team of volunteers and staff

Visitor experience:

Have our visitors enthusiastically encouraging others to visit by providing a wonderful experience. Growing repeat visitors from both individuals and educational groups.

Curation and Collections:

Overseeing the management of our valuable collection in line with sector best practice and refreshing the display that embodies “Jenner’s values”.

PR and marketing:

Act as the spokesperson for The Jenner Trust for press and other media on a local, national and international level.

Other responsibilities:

Flexibility is key as we work and build together. A willingness to support all aspects of running this specialist operation.

Person specification

Key Success Criteria

We are looking for a leader who can maintain our “can do” culture to harness the good will of all our team members. Someone who can give confidence to the external bodies who will invest in us. A proactive manager with good project delivery skills who can work alongside our Trustees to take us through this significant next stage of development towards rebuilding and commercial independence. It also has to be fun.

Although museum-specific experience is an advantage it is not essential; operational experience in other settings will be considered where they have involved commercial activities, tourism and staff operations.

Essential Skills and experience:

• Demonstrable background of operational delivery and decision making.
• Good organisational skills with demonstrable success in project management, multi-tasking and effective working with small teams.
• Successful income generation/fundraising in a commercial or charitable setting. Experience in delivering works creatively with limited funds, and working with clear delegated authority to carefully manage the budget.
• Experience of direct-line management in a small organisation. Excellent inter-personal skills with an ability to communicate and motivate effectively as a natural leader able to delegate and deliver success through others.
• Awareness and knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for buildings open to the public as well as private lettings. A working knowledge and experience in asset management of buildings (insurance, services, security etc).
• Positive approach and a ‘can do’ attitude with a willingness to be flexible and ‘get stuck in’ as needed. Have a willingness to embrace and adapt to change and to try new approaches.
• Experience in successfully delivering an events/activity programme.
• Working knowledge and experience of relevant legislation such as DDA, health and safety in the workplace.
• Familiar and confident with standard IT software packages.

Desired Experience:

• Working within a visitor attraction, customer facing or hospitality environment.
• Experience of working for a registered charity.
• Experience in developing visitor experiences, interpretation and activities in a museum/history tourism setting.
• Management and maintenance of historic buildings.
• Understanding of volunteer expectations and management.
• Confidence in delivering systematic PR/marketing, advertising, social media etc. whether directly or delegated. Basic website management skills.
• Event management experience.
• Retail experience on-site and online would be an advantage.
• Experience as a Business Manager would be a strong advantage

How to apply

Please send a CV and covering letter, demonstrating how you match our key responsibilities, by email to Cate Statham ([email protected]).

Closing date Midnight 4 October, interviews scheduled for the week of 14 October.

If you have any questions please contact Cate Statham as above.