In your application, please address as many of the requirements of part one of the person specification as you are able to. These, along with those of part two, will be assessed in those taken forward to the latter stages of the recruitment process.
PART ONE
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams focused on audiences and public engagement at a senior level, reporting to Board/Trustees, and a thorough appreciation of senior leadership dynamics (functional leadership, influence, reporting, delivery focus, performance driven, budget management etc), and the ability to act as an ambassador for the wider organisation.
- A good understanding of national and international museology debates, and a thorough grasp of museum pedagogy and effective strategies for engaging diverse audiences across different platforms. A recognised expert in championing audiences and gaining organisational alignment on strategic requirements.
- Educated to degree level, or with significant experience of demonstrable delivery at a senior level in cultural heritage, or audience sector specialism.
- Proven ability to align and combine varied content, programmes and platforms to address diverse audience needs, provide a ladder of engagement, and amplify an organization’s USP.
- Demonstrable experience and understanding of audience analysis, development, and diversification, in support of an organisation’s wider strategic ambitions and programme development.
- A “no silo” mentality is an essential pre-requisite. Team orientated executive level individual who focuses on the combined outputs and outcomes, works collaboratively with other execs and senior leaders, and encourages innovation, to create robust strategies and deliver value.
- A developer of people, seeking and creating opportunities to grow and diversify talent, dismantle barriers to access, and allow teams and individuals to thrive.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of internal and external stakeholder management, including funders and supporters, to support the strategic work of an organisation’s broader teams and functions.
- Experience of developing content that addresses contested, challenging and/or sensitive subjects. To have undertaken independent research and authored publications.
PART TWO
Key competencies
Communication Skills
- Active listening skills that make individuals feel they have contributed and been heard.
- Communicate a positive and genuine interest in their role, the role of their team and the museum’s work, in their interactions with
- Probing and questioning skills that elicit accurate and relevant information.
- The ability to provide constructive criticism and critical support.
Professional Presence
- Sensitive and empathetic communication style, with the ability to handle situations calmly and appropriately.
- Able to expresses themselves clearly – verbally and in writing, including tone of voice.
- Confident in dealing with a wide variety of people, always showing
- Precise and tactful, with an open and assertive communication style – not afraid to express differences in opinion, especially when dealing with difficult issues.
- Able to project gravitas and represent IWM with authority.
Personal Effectiveness
- Thorough and conscientious in their execution of
- Communicates with and involves all relevant stakeholders when constructing their work plans, keeping them informed throughout.
- Focuses activities in line with key deliverables.
- Methodical and systematic in approach, demonstrating a tenacity and persistence to achieve results.
- Thinks laterally and creatively to overcome obstacles, finding alternative ways forward.
- Good application of judgement and initiative to deal with queries and problems.
Leadership/Management Skills
- A pragmatic and focused approach that is objectives driven, ensuring that positive results are
- Actively contributes to the formulation and delivery of IWM’s strategic plans.
- Acts as a champion of innovation and change, by prompting and sponsoring new initiatives.
- Flexible in their thinking and approach – always aiming to anticipate what lies ahead.
- Able to identify, assess and manage risk and generate creative ideas that solve problems.
- Creates and supports learning and development opportunities for themselves and others, encouraging and publicly recognising effort and achievement.
- Actively builds trust and buy in from their team and others.
- Takes ownership for the implementation of organisational processes.
Learns/Adapts
- Proactively provides relevant information to other individuals and departments, improving shared learning and strengthening relationships across IWM.
- Demonstrates a continuous improvement
- Responds positively to new opportunities and adapts to changing requirements.
Digital Awareness Learns and adapts
- Integrate digital into all relevant thinking and planning at an early stage.
- Stays abreast of emerging digital trends and developments, and seeks to exploit opportunities.
Commercial Acumen
- Alert to commercial opportunities, including expanding existing and identifying new revenue streams, and working closely with the Development team.
- Retains a strong market and product awareness, including working to support Development and Commercial teams.
- Networks proactively to influence key players and position commercial propositions for maximum impact.
Promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Leads by example in encouraging practices and initiatives that promote and deliver greater equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Recognises and values the benefits of diversity of thought and experience amongst staff, volunteers and audiences, demonstrating respect and empathy for ‘the different differences that difference makes’.
Financial Awareness
- Develops a sound understanding of IWM’s financial rules and procedures and adheres to
- Alert to opportunities to reduce expenditure, maximise resource and enhance
- Manages budgets actively and effectively.
- Highly numerate, possessing an overall high standard of financial understanding.
Teamwork
- Encourages all team members to work collaboratively within their team and across the organisation.
- Actively contributes to creating a mutually supportive environment by helping others, seeing different perspectives, assuming positive intent, and finding common ground.
- Initiates contact with other departments, actively building informal networks and developing relationships built on trust.
- Communicates fluently and concisely in teams, remaining constructive, patient and empathetic with colleagues.
- Excellent collaboration skills with external agencies as well as internal departments, providing high-quality and timely information for colleagues and customers.
This job description is not all encompassing. Over time the emphasis of the job may change without changing the general character of the job. Your duties may be reviewed from time to time and revised and updated in consultation with you to reflect appropriate changes.