Regional Curator

Are you an experienced curator who’d relish the chance to work with some of the UK’s best-loved historic houses, gardens, landscapes and collections of art and precious objects? We’re looking for an inspirational Regional Curator  to join us and help connect people to National Trust places in the South West region, with a focus on properties in Wiltshire and Devon.  

Internally you will be known as ‘Cultural Heritage Curator’

You’ll be part of the  South West Consultancy: a multidisciplinary team of experts, from curators and coastal specialists to project managers and archaeologists, who provide specialist consultancy advice to the places we care for, to help make things happen.

This is a senior regional curatorial position. You’ll form part of a supportive curator community, made up of many different role types and specialisms based in the National Trust’s regional Consultancies, at our properties, in the Trust’s central teams, and on specific projects. 

Regional curators are responsible for a core portfolio of varied properties spread over one or two counties but will also work more widely across the region to make best use of our collective Consultancy capabilities. This post will primarily support properties in our Wiltshire and Devon portfolios, ranging from Stourhead, with its Palladian mansion and outstanding collections of furniture and paintings, set within a world-class landscape garden and extensive lowland estate; Lacock Abbey, internationally important for the invention of photography; the grand and quirky Gothic Revival house of Knightshayes; and Arlington Court on the edge of Exmoor, with its celebrated historic carriage collection.

Your contractual location will be the National Trust office at Tisbury in Wiltshire, but our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week. 

The ability and willingness to travel to a variety of locations is essential. Green travel options are always encouraged, where possible and practical; however, driving and access to a car will be necessary to fulfil the regular requirements of this role. Reasonable, non-commuting, business travel costs will be covered.

You’ll use your knowledge of cultural heritage to inspire colleagues and to build their capacity and confidence in how to engage people with Trust places, both indoors and outdoors. You’ll be shifting perspectives and opening new horizons. You’ll develop high quality interpretation and cultural programming offers, creating more diverse and inclusive experiences both for existing and new audiences.

Your role will be varied and may include getting involved in regional and national programmes and organisational change, including the re-presentation and repurposing of spaces and a wide range of projects. You'll also build positive working relationships with colleagues across the Trust, and with external partners.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile to apply. The successful candidate will be supported into post through induction. The Trust also offers a generous curator CPD programme, with a commitment to continual learning and sharing of knowledge and professional practice across multiple subject areas. 

We’d love to hear from you if this sounds like you:

• confident and knowledgeable in two or more of the following areas: history, art and design history, architectural history, landscape history, museum studies, cultural heritage and social history
• up to date with standards, guidance and innovations relating to the care and management of buildings, landscapes and collections
• experienced in developing engaging and accessible interpretation and visitor information
• dedicated to inclusive and diverse histories, programming and engagement
• a skilled communicator, who can build strong relationships within diverse teams, both internally and externally.
• a flexible thinker and problem-solver, skilled at negotiating and building productive networks, and confident in using your expertise to influence decisions
• proactive and organised, with experience of managing projects and a talent for multi-tasking and getting things done, strongly focused on detail, quality, cost and time.
• lead for inclusion and always think ‘everyone welcome’

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)

• Tax-free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• 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

• Independent financial advice

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.