Black Country Living Museum

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

& EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

WELCOME

DEAR CANDIDATE,

I am pleased to be writing this letter to offer an opportunity which might be right for you?

We have described the purpose of this job to deliver the Museum to the world. In those few words I hope you will grasp what it is all about and be able to see yourself wanting and able to take it on. Read on to see if your initial instincts are correct, and to see if Black Country Living Museum is your kind of organisation? That said, this is a high-ranking job, and this is as much an invitation to assert your thinking and influence, as it is to join an existing team of leaders.

Make no mistake, the job requires the absolute best strategic thinking, cutting through complex issues, in parallel with highly-tuned influencing skills, as well as ensuring annual plans and targets are being achieved, and our promise fulfilled. In this context, we are a reasonably large organisation, but not so large that you won’t be isolated from the impact of your judgments. You will need to enjoy and value personal accountability.

This opportunity arises after we have recently taken our storytelling forward into living memory with a £30m expansion of the Museum. This has only been possible because of the extraordinary scale and depth of the goodwill we assembled. The goodwill of many different funders for sure, but also from those who wanted to share their stories, like John and Alan Aston who lived in our Cast Iron Houses from 1968, and Cynthia Burgin, who met her husband, John, on a blind date and ran the family newsagents in Dudley from 1959, now recreated at the Museum. As well as hundreds of people who have donated objects to our collection. Many of which are now proudly on display in new areas of the Museum. This is our community.

So, united with successfully outpacing prepandemic levels of visitor attendance (now at 385,000 or 107%) and 16% higher than 2022, this is the jumping-off point for our new Director of Development & External Affairs, and the opportunity it provides to further grow the goodwill towards the Museum, as we seek evergreater levels of impact.

An important feature of the Museum is its independence. By which I mean we do not look to others to achieve our results. We describe ourselves as a heritage business, rather than a heritage service; winning the intersection sweet spot between visitor attraction, museum and charity. It is this balance which makes leading the Museum fascinating, complex and challenging. But we love it. So although we don’t look to others for our success, partnerships are important, including investment partners. But it is us that reaches out, and that is where you come in. You will have total confidence to harness the power of the Museum’s brand to drive strategic partnerships.

This is a new role, bringing together two objects vital to the continued success of the Museum. You might have more experience in marketing, audience development and external affairs, or in development (fundraising); but you will be able to work effectively across both to deliver the Museum to the world.

Andrew Lovett OBE Chief Executive

ABOUT US

Museums are for people and the best examples help us to understand our own place in the world. They are places for reflection; stirring our curiosity and making us think about something we perhaps haven’t thought about before. Museums highlight the relationship between events, and that one event happens because of something that has gone before. They also allow us to see and better understand patterns of behaviour and why change happens. They connect the dots of history to contemporary life. That’s what museums are about. That is the business we’re in.

CHARITABLE OBJECTS

As a registered (incorporated) charity, the Legal Objects of the Museum Trust are:

1. The advancement of education for all by increasing and inspiring the public’s understanding and appreciation of the significance and impact of the Black Country since the 18th Century on the industrialisation of the world, as well as increasing the sum of knowledge of the region during this period of its history.

2. The provision, safeguarding and development of a museum and collections in the Black Country as a means of recording and exemplifying the contribution of the region since the 18th Century to the development of the modern industrialised world, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.

OUR MISSION

We will champion the Black Country by celebrating people and communities and sharing our distinctive history and heritage, creating pride today and possibility for the future.

OUR VISION

We are the Black Country.

STRATEGIC AIMS

HISTORY

We will connect people with stories, objects and places of the Black Country, sparking discovery and appreciation of the unique influence the Black Country had on the world.

COMMUNITY

We will forge relationships to create a shared sense of belonging and pride, celebrate our distinctive heritage and support a vibrant, connected and thriving Black Country.

LEARNING

We will encourage curiosity through inspiring and memorable learning experiences for all, recognising that we too, as an organisation, are constantly learning.

STAGE

We will bring Black Country stories to life, creating experiences that fire-up the senses, encourage thought and discussion, and are fun.

BUSINESS

We will be an independent, self-sustaining and commercially astute heritage business with national appeal, powered by our people and trusted by audiences.

FUTURE

We will use our reputation and profile, taking inspiration from the Black Country’s past, to help shape its future.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

We believe Black Country Living Museum must reflect the diversity of the Black Country, to ensure the Museum, its collections and its programmes remain relevant and valued by our communities.

We are committed to creating and sustaining a staff, volunteer and audience community where everyone feels valued, where their contribution matters and where they can reach their full potential, irrespective of their background, identity or circumstances.

The Museum has a responsibility to its communities (inside and outside the Museum) to challenge the perceived status quo.

BCLM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment that celebrates the richness of the human experience.

We are dedicated to eliminating bias and discrimination at every stage and encourage applicants to get in touch should they require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

FINANCES

Success for the Museum is measured in two ways. Firstly, the achievements of our charitable objects as a museum, and secondly by our longterm sustainability without recourse to high levels of public sector funding to meet our everyday costs. The Museum is proud to be an independent heritage business (currently charging £25.95 for adult admission), with an annual ‘trading’ turnover of over £10.8m, and the aim to achieve surpluses from its trading results, used to reinvest in the Museum and our people, as well as to strengthen free reserves. Gross trading income as a percentage of total unrestricted income (2024) is set out in the pie-chart.

Other sources include using the Museum as a filming location, car park charges, hire and hospitality, and business partnerships. In addition to its trading revenues, the Museum raises funds annually from external sources (both private and from the public sector) to invest in particular projects, activities and large and small-scale oneoff developments.

Admissions (57%)

On-site trading (37%)

Other sources (6%)

The Museum is part of the National Portfolio of Arts Council England and also receives an annual investment of £760,000. In recent years, the Museum has been able to strengthen its financial position, including its level of free cash reserves, positive cash flow, net current assets and surpluses.

ORGANISATION CHART

Chief Executive

Director of Development & External Affairs

Head of Development (tbc*) Development Manager

Director of Finance Director of Programmes Chief Operating Officer

Head of Audiences & Communications Audiences & Communications Manager

Corporate Sales & Development Manager Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Corporate Sales & Development Coordinator Development Coordinator

Audiences & Communications Coordinator Communications Assistant

*This is a potential new role, subject to the consideration of the new Director of Development & External Affairs.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Job title:

Director of Development & External Affairs

Salary:

circa £70,000 per annum

Location: West Midlands

Reporting to: Chief Executive

Direct Reports: Head of Audience & Communications, Corporate Sales & Development Manager, Development Manager.

PURPOSE

To harness the power of the Museum’s brand to drive strategic partnerships, investment in projects and capital developments, alongside directing the Museum’s audience and communications strategy, to deliver the Museum to the world.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Budget preparation and financial control.

Development and directing strategic plans.

Line management of the Head of Audience & Communications, and the Museum’s Development Team.

DIMENSIONS

Part of the Executive Leadership Team.

Capital fundraising of £15m over the next three years. Annual revenue target of £200,000pa. Annual visitor attendance of at least 400,000.

Budgetary responsibility of £610,000 per annum.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Current and potential donors and investors. Persuasive information giving and influencing.

Chief Executive, Chair and Board of Trustees. Information giving and receiving, and advising and guiding on investment and partnership opportunities. Establishing trust.

Key stakeholders, decision makers and businesses across the Black Country, West Midlands and nationally.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, champion and amplify the Museum’s cause by identifying strategic partnerships.

• Develop and direct inclusive strategies for external affairs and audiences, and communications.

• Develop a strategic approach for commercial opportunities, including corporate sponsorship, hire and hospitality, filming and photography location shooting.

• Develop a strategy for revenue and further capital fundraising, incorporating individual giving and direct the growth of a rolling programme of prospect identification, research and nurturing of relationships.

• Track and report on fundraising goals, progress, and outcomes to the Museum Leadership team, Board, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Be the Museum’s brand guardian and senior public spokesperson.

• Assist with and/or lead key external relationships, including with Arts Council

England, West Midlands Combined Authority and Elected Mayor, National Lottery Heritage Fund, regional universities, the media, business, sponsors, local and national politicians, Government, West Midlands Growth Company, and heritage sector bodies.

• Develop the budget for the Development & External Affairs function, ensuring prudent use of resources to achieve strategic objectives.

• Maintain an astute awareness of the external environment, specifically economic, political, technological and social, identifying risks and opportunities for the Museum.

• Make major contributions to the Museum’s short, medium and long-term business planning.

• Develop, motivate and appraise your teams, through setting and monitoring targets, behaviours, and standards, assessing training needs, and devising personal development plans.

• Deputise for the Chief Executive, in the job’s area of expertise.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

• Leadership at a senior level in an organisation of at least comparable scale and complexity.

• Outstanding track-record of developing and delivering successful strategies across external affairs, fundraising and audiences and communications in a comparable organisation.

• Preeminent professional relationship building, networking, and influencing at the highest level, across a diverse landscape of stakeholders.

• Optimum standards of presentation, attention to detail and lucidity, including on public platforms.

• Ability to and experience of working under pressure and to deadlines.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Understanding and enthusiasm of the Museum’s cause and independence.

• Business acumen and discipline, coupled with original thinking.

• Integrity.

• Ability to support a working environment which attracts and retains diverse talent.

BENEFITS

We are a bostin place to work, with our unique working environment across our 28 acre site, a healthy approach to working hours and a supportive attitude to work-life balance.

ANNUAL LEAVE

We offer 33 days annual leave with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days. With the exception of Christmas and Boxing Day bank holidays, you can choose to take statutory holidays on alternative days.

WELLBEING

Access to a blended programme of Wellbeing Initiatives, including our 24 hour EAP support, on site Mental Health First Aiders, Menopause Support Champions and enhanced sick pay to support your financial wellbeing at times of need.

DISCOUNTS

• Access to the ‘Perkbox’ benefits portal which offers discounts on many retail/leisure and hospitality outlets at the point of purchase.

• Discounts at Museum events, on site retail, food and drink units.

TRAVEL SUPPORT

The Museum is commutable from the surrounding counties of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. It is located near a local train station and we offer free onsite parking, season ticket loans for rail travel and a cycle to work scheme.

PROFESSIONAL FEES

Professional Fees relevant to memberships aligned to your job will be met by the Museum.

TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Museum at its discretion offers support with paid time off for trustee responsibilities you may have with other organisations.

FAMILY FRIENDLY SUPPORT

We offer enhanced paid Maternity and Paternity support.

FLEXIBLE & AGILE WORKING

We have a suite of options to facilitate balance between working both on and off our site.

CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME

We offer a contributory Pension scheme up to 6%.

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS

• 10 staff tickets each year that can be shared with friends and family.

• Access to a selection of other Museums within our network.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to become Director of Development & External Affairs at Black Country Living Museum, please upload the following documents to the Prospectus website:

• Your CV, drawing out relevant experience for the role.

• A supporting statement of up to 1,000 words that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, as well as your interest in the organisation’s work.

Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.

If you wish to apply using an alternative format please contact Prospectus. Please also notify us if you require a postal application.

Applications via the Prospectus website should be made at:

https://prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/187547

At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.

RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 10th April 2024

Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 15th April 2024

Interviews with Black Country Living Museum: w/c 22nd April 2024

The interview dates are indicative and adjustments can be considered.

QUERIES

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained partner Ryan Burdock at Prospectus on 020 7405 4999, or email:

ryan.burdock@prospect-us.co.uk

Created by the Prospectus Advertising team.

Prospectus Ltd

20-22 Stukeley Street

London, WC2B 5LR