Job Description
Important notice
In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.
Step into history and help shape its future! We're searching for a passionate, detail-driven leader to join us as Collections and House Manager at Stourhead. If you care deeply about upholding the highest standards, protecting world-class collections, and making beauty and history accessible to everyone, this is your chance to make a lasting impact. Bring your expertise, energy, and vision-and help us ensure Stourhead inspires visitors for generations to come. Apply today and be part of something extraordinary.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £30,966 per annum
What it's like to work here
An 18th Century Palladian mansion with a world-famous landscape garden, its no surprise that Stourhead is one of our busiest and 'best loved' properties. Working at Stourhead means joining a team that thrives on passion, collaboration, and pride in what we do. You'll be surrounded by colleagues who care deeply about each other, about the collections, and about creating the very best experience for our visitors. It's a place where everyone's contribution matters-from front-of-house teams sharing stories with guests, to curators and gardeners preserving the estate for the future. Together, we celebrate successes, tackle challenges with energy, and support one another to keep Stourhead one of the most loved places in the country.
What you'll be doing
As Collections and House Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Stourhead. With the newly created Conservation Management Plan as your catalyst, you'll help evolve the House visitor journey-ensuring conservation excellence and creating inspiring, meaningful experiences that bring history vividly to life.
You'll work closely with the leadership team to ensure smooth operations across the House, championing conservation and cultural heritage while collaborating with colleagues from across departments to achieve shared goals. You'll line-manage the Collections and House Officers, guiding and supporting them and the wider team to care for the collection, manage daily opening, and deliver the consistently high standards of conservation, presentation and compliance that Stourhead is renowned for.
Leading by example, you'll foster a culture of excellence and inclusivity, engaging diverse audiences with the values of the Trust, while bringing conservation and interpretation to the forefront of the visitor experience. You'll also take overall responsibility for a large and dedicated team of house volunteers-developing their skills, championing flexibility and inclusivity, and ensuring that volunteering here is as rewarding as it is impactful.
This is a role for someone who thrives on both strategy and detail: from managing conservation standards and Museum Accreditation documentation, to planning for long-term risks and opportunities, to delivering imaginative programming that connects people with the collections in fresh ways.
In short, you'll help safeguard Stourhead's treasures, while ensuring they continue to inspire visitors for generations to come.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
- experienced in achieving high standards of presentation, customer care, compliance and collections management in a historic setting
- aware of current developments and approved practices in the heritage sector in the field of visitor engagement, innovation and access
- keen to promote inclusivity and diversity in the interpretation and presentation of history
- someone who can remain resilient and positive while managing colleagues, changes and challenges
- able to build strong and effective working relationships with diverse people
- experienced in managing people and achieving goals through others.
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.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
