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Job Title
Technical Project Manager in Heritage
Employer
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No SC049973
Location
Ellisland Museum and Farm, Holywood Road, Near Auldgirth, Dumfries & Galloway, DG2 8DW. Mainly on site and with flexible remote working by agreement.
Contract
Fixed-term freelance contract for 17 months with an option of extension
Remuneration
The total value of the freelance contract is £70,000 inclusive of VAT for 17 months
We will consider offering this as a staff position with a salary level of £40,000 - £48,000.
We will also consider part time or pro rata arrangements for the right candidate.
Apply By
28 Feb 2028
Interviews
We will be conducting interviews on the week commencing 10 March 2025.
To apply, please send your CV and examples of recent work to:
Joan McAlpine
Project Director
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust
ellislandbusinessmanager@gmail.com
Role Summary
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) seeks an experienced and highly organised Technical Project Manager to oversee the operational and technical delivery of the development stage of the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project. This role is essential to ensure the project runs on time, remains within budget, and meets all funding requirements.
This position will focus on coordinating contracts, managing commissions, structuring project sequencing, financial reportingand grant management, ensuring all technical elements of the project are executed efficiently. The Technical Project Manager will also deliver key outputs such as evaluation frameworks and completing an Operations & Management Plan for the future visitor centre.
The role requires someone who is highly organised with excellent attention to detail, skilled in project tracking, deadline management, and risk mitigation. Familiarity with Project Management software such as Teamwork is essential to ensure proper sequencing and structuring of project activities. Experience in grant funded heritage, culture or environmental projects would be beneficial.
Background
RBET manages Ellisland Museum and Farm, the best-preserved home of Robert Burns, situated on 140 acres of historic farmland along the River Nith. Our mission is to transform Ellisland into a world-class heritage, learning, and artistic centre while safeguarding the historical buildings, collections, and landscape for future generations.
In 2024, we secured significant support for The National Lottery Heritage Fund and South of Scotland Enterprise for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. The development stage of the project is also supported by The Holywood Trust and Museums Galleries Scotland. It will conclude with a delivery stage application to the Heritage Fund for the final project to restore the site and re-open the visitor centre. The total project has an estimated cost of £7.4m.
This development phase will include:
* Working with a conservation architect lead design team. The successful team will deliver RIBA 3 plans to adapt and restore the historic buildings, creating immersive visitor experiences, a museum area, and attractive outside spaces as well as visitor, volunteer and staff facilities
* Community engagement, volunteering, and education programme development
* A major international fundraising campaign
* Commissioning of consultants to support our delivery stage Heritage Fund application and increase resilience.
* Marketing and piloting future activity
* Preparing a successful delivery stage application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Key Responsibilities1. Project Coordination & Delivery
* Ensure timely and structured project delivery, tracking progress against milestones.
* Use Gantt software such as Teamwork to structure, sequence, and monitor all activities.
* Oversee contract management and procurement processes, ensuring all agreements meet funding and regulatory requirements.
* Manage relationships with contractors, consultants, and external specialists, ensuring deliverables are met on time.
* Identify and mitigate project risks, ensuring challenges are addressed proactively.
2. Financial & Grant Reporting
* Ensure compliance with National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) guidelines and funding requirements.
* Provide detailed financial reporting, tracking all project costs and ensuring spending remains within budget.
* Support the Trustees and Finance Sub-committee with budget forecasting and financial planning.
* Maintain accurate and auditable grant reporting records to ensure funding conditions are met.
* Assist in the development of the Delivery Stage application for further NLHF funding.
3. Operations & Management Planning
* Develop a comprehensive Operations & Management Plan for the future visitor centre.
* Ensure that the long-term sustainability of Ellisland is built into operational strategies.
* Work closely with the Project Director and Trustees to define the future visitor experience and site management framework.
4. Evaluation & Monitoring
* Establish a project evaluation framework, ensuring all activities are monitored against key performance indicators.
* Develop a detailed project tracker to capture progress, learning, and outcomes for reporting to funders.
* Ensure robust data collection methods are in place to assess project impact.
5. Stakeholder & Team Collaboration
* Support the Project Director by ensuring all technical aspects of the project align with broader strategic goals.
* Work with heritage professionals, statutory bodies, and local authorities to ensure compliance.
* Liaise with consultants and contractors to ensure all work aligns with heritage and environmental best practices.
* Collaborate with the Director of Fundraising to align financial tracking with fundraising targets.
Person SpecificationEssential
* Proven project management experience, particularly in heritage, conservation, or environmental projects.
* Ability to drive projects to completion, ensuring all milestones are met.
* Experience managing contractors, procurement, and commissioning processes.
* Strong budget management and financial reporting skills.
* Ability to use Gantt software such as Teamwork to sequence and track project activities.
* Exceptional organisational and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly for reporting.
* Understanding of risk management and compliance in funded projects.
* Experience developing operations and management plans for visitor attractions.
* A clean driving licence and ability to travel within the UK.
Desirable
* A formal Project Management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM).
* Experience with environmental sustainability projects.
* Familiarity with fundraising strategies and grant applications.
* Knowledge of heritage site operations and visitor experience planning.
* Previous experience with a project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Management Structure
The Technical Project Manager will report to the Project Director and work closely with the Finance Sub-committee, Trustees, and external consultants.
Equal Opportunities and Inclusion Policy
RBET is committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and equality. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups and value contributions from individuals of all backgrounds. RBET embraces Fair Work practices and expects contractors to uphold similar principles.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Technical Project Manager to play a key role in delivering a nationally significant heritage project, ensuring Robert Burns’s historic home is preserved and transformed for future generations.
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