Job Title

Overview Were looking for a Visitor Experience Manager to lead the development and delivery of inclusive, audience-led experiences. This is a key leadership role, shaping the visitor journey and ensuring every visit is welcoming, memorable and meaningful. This exciting role is to develop and deliver exceptional visitor experiences at the three places that form part of the County Down Property Group: Mount Stewart, Castle Ward and Rowallane Garden. All are unique and together represent significant cultural, natural and built heritage in Northern Ireland. We are ambitious to grow our audiences, welcome more visitors, connect them with our places and cause, and invest more in conservation work across our sites. This role is diverse, fast-paced and fulfilling. Youll drive visitor satisfaction, create engaging and innovative experiences, and deepen audience connections to these special places. This is a leadership role that will collaborate with a dynamic team to create inclusive and memorable experiences for everyone who visits. What Its Like To Work Here The gardens at Mount Stewart, created by Edith, Lady Londonderry, are renowned for innovation and uniqueness. The Formal Gardens evoke themes of identity and triumphs, blending whimsical Classical and Gaelic mythology with exotic plants sourced globally. Mount Stewart includes woodland, orchards and farmland, plus architectural gems such as the neo-classical House, the Temple of the Winds, Stable Block, Farmyards with Dovecote and the Walled Garden. Castle Ward is a unique 18th-century mansion known for its mix of architectural styles and interiors. One half is Palladian and classical, while the other halffacing Strangford Loughis Gothic. It rests on a rolling hillside overlooking tranquil waters. There are fantastic walking and cycling trails beside the lough or through sheltered woodlands, with a newly restored Victorian sunken garden with vivid seasonal colours. Rowallane Garden is among the most beautiful in Northern Ireland, featuring unusual plants and vibrant seasonal colour. Carved into the County Down landscape from its 19th-century beginnings, Rowallane Garden continues to influence ongoing conservation. It is ideal for leisurely walks, refreshments in the caf, or simply relaxing in nature. Over 150 staff members and 350 volunteers across County Down share a purpose in caring for these places, providing public benefit to visitors and local communities. Last year we welcomed nearly half a million visitors across all three sites and have ambitions to grow our appeal further. What Youll Be Doing You will have a deep understanding and relevant knowledge of what makes a great visitor experience. You will be adept at creating a memorable and welcoming visitor journey and will collaborate with colleagues across all teams to ensure consistency and quality of service and experiences. You will use visitor feedback, audience insights and evaluation to deliver a dynamic, inspiring and relevant visitor experience that connects to a wide range of people. Interpreting our places is key to this role and you will develop opportunities to bring our places and stories to life through innovative interpretation. You will lead a small team and collaborate with them to deliver quality experiences for our members and visitors across our three sites. You will also be responsible for building external partnerships to co-create experiences that will appeal to key audiences, existing and new. You will work closely with colleagues to develop and deliver joined-up plans to share the history and significance of our properties. Youll be part of the Property Leadership Team, and the duty manager team, which means youll have direct delegated budget management and compliance task responsibilities, as well as acting as duty manager or representing the General Manager. Who Were Looking For Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below: experience in managing visitor services or public engagement in a heritage, museum, or cultural setting proven ability to use data and feedback to shape inclusive and relevant visitor experiences lead and develop staff and/or volunteers to deliver high-quality service designed or co-created engaging interpretation and public programmes able to build effective relationships with internal teams and external partners to co-create experiences Criteria for all other applicants: knowledge of storytelling, interpretive planning, and curatorial practices that bring heritage to life ability to develop medium to long-term plans that align with organisational goals and audience needs experience in managing visitor services or public engagement in a heritage, museum, or cultural setting proven ability to use data and feedback to shape inclusive and relevant visitor experiences lead and develop staff and/or volunteers to deliver high-quality service designed or co-created engaging interpretation and public programmes ability to build effective relationships with internal teams and external partners to co-create experiences The Package The National Trust has the motto For everyone, for ever at its heart. Were working to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong. We value diversity and want everyone to be welcome in our teams. Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18) Rental deposit loan scheme Season ticket loan EV car lease scheme Perks at work discounts (gym memberships, shopping codes, cinema discounts) Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme Flexible working where possible Employee assistance programme Free parking at most Trust places #J-18808-Ljbffr