London Director

London Director
Kenwood House, London

Who We Are and What We’re Looking For

At English Heritage, we believe heritage is for everybody. It lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions — connecting us to the past and to one another. We care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites across England, making them accessible and inspiring for all.

We’re now looking for an experienced, strategic leader to become our London Director. In this full-time, permanent role based at Kenwood House, you’ll oversee an extraordinary collection of historic sites across the capital — from grand houses filled with world-class art to iconic monuments and vibrant community spaces — leading a high-performing team to ensure their continued impact and success.

As our London Director, you will:

- Manage a complex collection of sites
- Drive visitor experience, commercial performance, and community engagement
- Lead a major investment project to transform Kenwood
- Maximise income generation
- Engage with local stakeholders
- Increase participation, engagement and volunteering
- Ensure the highest standard of customer service and presentation

About You

To join us as our London Director, you will need:

- A proven track record in delivering major projects
- Experience working in a visitor-facing site or cultural organisation
- Experience delivering P&L targets and generating income
- Experience leading a large team
- Demonstrable commercial acumen
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills
- A passion for bringing arts, culture and heritage to life

Our Benefits

- Salary from £90,228 p.a. (due to inner London base) depending on skills and experience
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 28 days after 3 years
- Matched pension contributions up to 10%
- The opportunity to progress your career within the heritage sector
- Subscriptions to professional bodies
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you and up to six friends and family members
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes
- Enhanced maternity, paternity or shared parental leave
- Options to buy additional leave
- An inclusive working atmosphere where everybody is supported from all backgrounds, religions and with different needs
- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events

London’s Historic Portfolio

English Heritage’s London portfolio brings together a diverse collection of historic properties, ranging from grand residences and elegant villas to forts, monuments and community green spaces. These sites reflect centuries of the capital’s social, political, artistic and architectural history, offering powerful connections to figures who shaped the world and moments that defined a nation.

Next Steps

The closing date for this role is Monday 21st April 2025.

Please select the apply button shown to submit your CV along with a cover letter, outlining how you meet the essential requirements for the role.

First stage interviews will be held on 1st / 2nd May 2025 and second stage interviews will take place at the English Heritage London office, date to be confirmed.

Why Join Us?

At English Heritage, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it’s why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.

Our focus is on partnership, innovation and sustainability. Recent investment in sites such as Marble Hill and Marble Arch reflects our commitment to transforming spaces, telling new stories, and creating welcoming, inclusive places for all. With exciting plans ahead — including a major redevelopment of Kenwood — there’s never been a more inspiring time to join us.

Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England’s heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We`re looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we`re committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.

Please note, this role will be known internally as Operations Director London.

Other organisations may call this role Heritage Portfolio Director, Head of Historic Properties, Director of Visitor Experience, Museum and Heritage Director, Head of Cultural Services, Director of Arts and Heritage, or Director of Historic Estates.

So, if you’re ready to step into this exceptional role as our London Director, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit.