Museums and Heritage Manager

Position reference:

Directorate: Growth and Sustainability Service: Culture & Visitor Economy

Working Arrangements: 5 days in 7

Contract type: Permanent

We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch.

Basic Criminal Record Check required. Prospective employees must provide a reasonable account of any significant period (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad.

Please bring all necessary legal documents upon start of work, such as a valid visa. Our organization does not possess a Home Office licence and therefore cannot provide sponsorship for skilled or temporary migrant workers.

Pensions Regulations may reduce pension payments for those who return to work within local government service. If you are receiving a pension upon commencing employment, this may affect your entitlements and you should seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

• We're an award winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
• Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people's lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
• If you join the team you'll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we'll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
• We'll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
• Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.

It's exciting times at Barnsley - we have a bold vision for Barnsley in 2030 as a place of possibilities. Barnsley Museum's represents a unique set of assets including Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens, the Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Experience Barnsley Museum and Archives and Worsbrough Mill and Country Park. Our award winning museums have become ever more popular with over 2.5 million people visiting our sites during 2025/6.

The Borough's cultural and heritage sector has grown extensively over the last ten years, and it delivers an ambitious and exciting programme - a national quality offer in a local landscape. Its significant recent achievements include Experience Barnsley being shortlisted for the Art Fund's Museum of the Year prize in 2021, winning Kids in Museums Best Accessible Family Friendly Museum of the Year in 2022 and 2024, Best Small Museum in 2025 and the Sandford Award for Excellence in Heritage Learning at multiple sites. The museums service is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio organisation and Barnsley is an ACE Priority Place.

A new opportunity has arisen for a talented and experienced individual to manage the front line teams and the operational running of our sites and services in Barnsley.

As Museums and Heritage Manager you will be responsible for the operational management of Cannon Hall Museum, Country Park and Gardens. You will lead and support front line teams, manage day to day operations, and ensure that our buildings, collections, outdoor spaces and services are safe, welcoming and accessible to all.

You will work closely with colleagues, partners and communities to promote engagement, develop audiences, and contribute to the wider aims of the museums and heritage service.

• Providing effective leadership and management of front line staff across our venues.
• Managing the day to day operation of venues, including staffing, rotas, building checks and compliance.
• Ensuring statutory, professional and accreditation standards are maintained.
• Delivering a high quality, inclusive visitor experience across all services.
• Managing budgets and contributing to income generation and commercial opportunities.
• Building strong relationships with internal teams, volunteers, partners and external stakeholders.

• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of relevant standards, legislation and best practice.
• Experience of operational and venue management in a public facing environment.
• Good communication, problem solving and organisational skills.
• Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively.

You'll be joining a passionate and supportive team, working across a varied and nationally recognised cultural offer. This is an opportunity to make a real impact on how our venues and services are managed, experienced and valued by our communities.

If you would like to find out more about this unique role, please contact Angela Routledge, Heritage Experience and Operations manager via e mail: .

CVs are not accepted for this role.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We are committed to fairness and do not discriminate.