Estates Operations Director

Ready to shape the future of a nationally significant estate?

At the Science Museum Group (SMG), we care for one of the most diverse and distinctive estates in the country.

From world-renowned and loved museums to nationally significant historic buildings, industrial heritage sites and collections stores, our estate is central to everything we do. Welcoming millions of visitors every year, protecting some of our country’s most important objects and providing the foundation for our mission to Inspire Futures.

The group is making a generational investment in its estate to address backlog repairs and create new galleries, and we’re now seeking an Estates Operations Director to help us lead and shape the future of that estate.

This is a newly defined leadership role – you’ll have responsibility for the operational performance, sustainability and long-term stewardship of the Science Museum Group estate across all six of our sites. You’ll lead a distributed team of estate professionals and work closely with Museum Directors, senior stakeholders, and contractors to ensure our Estate remains safe, resilient, sustainable and fit for the future.

This is more than a traditional Estates management role.

We’re looking for someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery – who can see the bigger picture whilst maintaining a relentless focus on performance, service and value.

You’ll be responsible for helping shape the future direction of the estate, identifying opportunities for improvement, driving innovation and ensuring our buildings, infrastructure and assets continue to support the organisation’s ambitions for years to come.

You’ll inherit a diverse and complex estate portfolio with unique challenges and opportunities. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to influence at a senior level, lead a significant function and help shape the future of one of the world’s leading museum groups.

About You

We're looking for a leader who is energised by complexity and motivated by impact.

You'll have experience operating at a senior level within a large and complex estate, property or operational environment, with a track record of delivering outstanding results.

You might be leading a large museum, campus, heritage, local authority or commercial estate today. Wherever you've built your career, you'll bring the credibility, judgement and leadership skills needed to operate across a diverse portfolio of sites, stakeholders and priorities.

You'll be equally comfortable setting long-term direction, managing organisational change and tackling complex operational challenges. You'll understand how to balance performance, sustainability, investment and risk, while creating an environment where people can thrive and deliver their best work.

Above all, you'll be excited by the opportunity to shape the future of a nationally significant estate and make a lasting impact across one of the world's leading museum groups.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more information about the role and selection process, or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.

What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you’ll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

• Meaningful work. We’re a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
• Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
• Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
• Healthcare cash plan. Digital health tools, gym discounts and cashback towards your everyday healthcare costs.
• All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme and other wellbeing support.
• Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community.
• Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
• Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
• Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.

Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group’s five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.