Head of Culture and Visitor Economy: Barnsley MC

Barnsley Council are seeking an experienced Head of Culture and Visitor Economy to join our team based in Barnsley. You will be working on a full time, permanent basis (37 hours per week) and in return will receive a competitive salary of £74,165 - £81,563 per annum.

It’s exciting times at Barnsley - they have a new Corporate Plan and a bold vision for Barnsley in 2030 as a place of possibilities. Barnsley’s cultural and heritage sector has grown extensively over the last ten years and has racked up some significant achievements including Experience Barnsley being shortlisted for the Art Fund’s prestigious Museum of the Year prize in 2021 and Cannon Hall appearing in top ten most visited free attractions on Visit England’s list in 2019 & 2020. Barnsley Museums is currently an NPO of Arts Council England and serves millions of visitors per year in a typical year. These achievements are due to a dedicated team and the visionary leadership of Sue Thiedeman, our current Head of Service, who will be retiring from the role at the end of March 2022.

The Head of Culture and Visitor Economy role:
To build on the successes of the last ten years, we are looking for a new equally dynamic Head of Culture and Visitor Economy, someone with an inclusive leadership style who can provide creative direction to a team of experienced culture, arts, heritage and visitor economy professionals and ensure we deliver on the Council’s ambitious plans for culture & visitor economy in the next five years.

You will evidence great strength in partnership working, particularly with the private sector, and be entrepreneurial in the way you approach service delivery. Current partners include: Arts Council England, Historic England, National Trust, National Heritage Lottery Fund, Welcome to Yorkshire (Visit England) and Barnsley College as well as our supportive authority Barnsley Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Key responsibilities of our Head of Culture and Visitor Economy:
To lead and manage a portfolio of activities to maintain and enhance the borough’s culture and visitor economy functions
To ensure the delivery of a high quality, customer-focussed museum, arts and archives service
To work with partners within the Visitor Economy sector to increase visitor numbers and visitor spend
To work collaboratively with other Council service areas to deliver Culture and Visitor Economy objectives
To provide professional advice to the service director (designate), executive director (designate) and the Council on all aspects of the strategic and operational delivery of the service
To proactively develop the service and its functions in a manner which builds and effectively engages the private and public sectors in the delivery of the Council's key objectives
To lead the review and development of the Council's culture and visitor economy policies and strategies
Skills, qualifications and experience we’re looking for in our Head of Culture and Visitor Economy:
A strategic thinker, both in the cultural/heritage sectors and the visitor economy domains
Able to develop our new Cultural Strategy and Visitor Economy strategy for the borough as well as overseeing delivery
Ability to translate vision into practice, looking to build on existing successes whilst bringing your own ideas and style
Demonstrate a broad experience and understanding of arts development, heritage and museums practice, and placemaking
Support our work to embed culture in other local agendas including health and wellbeing, skills, job creation and inclusive economic growth for all our residents, and developing strong and sustainable communities
Previous Local Government experience in a similar role, would be advantageous but not essential
Ideally come from a private sector background
Strong commercial acumen who understands how our CVE work can be managed and leveraged to create economic, social and cultural value for the borough
To achieve your ambitions while shaping a bright future for our communities, apply now to become our Head of Culture and Visitor Economy.

Full details and to make an application please visit the website link below.

Closing date: Tuesday 7th December 2021

For more information visit https://bit.ly/HeadofCultureBarnsley