Heritage is for everyone and this is your chance to lead a team that provides public access to a cluster of special sites across the East of England. We are looking for a motivated and inspirational manager to be based at Framlingham Castle, and to lead the operational teams at Framlingham Castle, Orford Castle, Grime's Graves, Castle Acre Priory and Kirby Hall. This is a full-time role working 36 hours per week. No history background? No problem. What is important to us is a passion for people, communities and excellent customer service. We are looking for a manager who enjoys working alongside their team and understands what it takes to deliver an engaging visitor experience to a diverse audience.
Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings.
That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.
As Framlingham Castle Cluster Manager, you will lead a widespread operational team consisting of Framlingham Castle, Orford Castle, Grime's Graves, Castle Acre Priory and Kirby Hall. You will be based at Framlingham Castle with direct line reports based at the other sites within the cluster. You will know what makes a great visitor experience and you will create the culture that inspires your whole team to deliver through leading by example, coaching and inclusive leadership. You'll optimise every opportunity to generate income and drive commercial success for the charity, with an eye for continuous improvement. You will know what it takes to deliver a brilliant visitor experience, working in collaboration with others to achieve all site performance targets and engagement measures across the cluster. You will form part of the duty management rota for Framlingham Castle and ensure your cluster of sites are operating to all agreed procedures and standards of presentation and care.
You will have experience of providing excellent customer service within a leisure and tourism environment or relevant public-facing role, strong site operational skills as well as being able to lead a team. You will be able to demonstrate exceptional organisational skills and be a confident communicator, having strong interpersonal skills with both visitors and colleagues. You'll engage effectively with the local community and wider stakeholders, to make new connections and share what's happening on site explore new opportunities for the future.
You will be required to work some weekends and Bank Holidays to support the operational demands of the business.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive training
- The opportunity to progress your career within the heritage sector, in retail, food and beverage or general management
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you, and up to six friends and family members
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave
- 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years
- Options to buy additional leave
- Matched pension contributions up to 10%
If you would like to find out more about this role, us and what we do, please register via the link below join us at one of our webinars.
Alternatively, find out more about us and what we do here: You can also meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us:
Everybody's welcome at English Heritage
Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.
We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.
If you would like to talk to us e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Emma Fernandes-Lopes, Interim Assistant Operations Director, South and East, on emma.fernandeslopes@english-heritage.org.uk. No agencies please.
Interviews will take place in the week commencing 12th May 2025.