Job Description

Salary

41,511- 44,711

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full Time

Date posted

16/07/2025

Job reference

REQ002632

Job title:

Principal Keeper

Salary:

PO3 41,511- 44,711

Hours:

37

Contract:

Permenant

Location:

City Museum/Discovery Centre

As our Principal Keeper you will be responsible for the operational management and leadership of Leeds City Museum and Leeds Discovery Centre.

You will lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of challenging site development plans agreed by Leeds Museums and Galleries Senior Management Team in line with the Service Strategic Plan.

Work in partnership with the Head of Collections and Programmes and learning, collections, conservation and operational colleagues across the Service to agree exhibitions and display programmes incorporating the best possible interpretation and ensuring the access needs of visitors and audiences and service-wide priorities are central to all developments.

To work with the Head of Learning, Community Engagement Manager and other colleagues to engage communities and other audiences including families in the development of the site and socially inclusive learning programmes. Work with the Audience Development team to carry out evaluation and surveys and respond to visitor comments and feedback.

To always promote the positive image of the Service, work with teams to advocate the value of the sites to key stakeholders, opinion formers, visitors and to the people of Leeds through lectures, community work, tours, displays, publications, loans, the web and social media including responding to public, professional and academic enquiries. To ensure the sites provide a high-quality and accessible visitor experience in line with Leeds Museums and Galleries service objectives and targets.

You will provide effective management processes and leadership for the continual improvement of site facilities, access to and interpretation of the sites and collections. To ensure the sites are DDA compliant and to co-ordinate a collaborative team approach to exhibitions, events and educational activities and ensure all staff on site are trained for their role.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As our Principal Keeper, you will bring to the role:

Be educated to degree level or professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area or equivalent experience. Have knowledge of local government systems and procedures relating to staff management, finance and procurement. Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from staff and volunteers to funders, donors and sector professionals. The ability to network within the museum and wider cultural sector and act as an effective advocate for Leeds Museums and Galleries in the city, nationally and internationally. The ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals to maintain effective working relationships. Experience of managing budgets including commercial income targets and generating additional funding through projects and grants.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays


membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions


flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements


a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities a range of

staff benefits

to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further


To apply, complete the online application form.

Read our guidance

for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations and Enterprise, email

lisa.broadest@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the

Skilled Worker visa

route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least 41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Profile

To provide operational management and organisational leadership for Leeds City Museum and Leeds Discovery Centre. The post will lead on the programming, day-to-day operations and strategic developments to ensure the sites provide an inspirational, challenging, yet accessible visitor experience in line with Leeds Museums and Galleries (LMG) service objectives and targets.

Responsibilities

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Lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of challenging site development plans agreed by LMG Senior Management Team in line with the Service's Strategic Plan working with colleagues representing learning, collections and programmes (including community engagement), operations, commercial and audience development. Provide effective management processes and leadership for the continual improvement of site facilities, access to and interpretation of the sites and collections. To ensure the sites are DDA compliant. To co-ordinate a collaborative team approach to exhibitions, events and educational activities and ensure that all site staff are well briefed and trained for their role. Working with other LMG sites and across LCC, identify and contribute to collaborative projects and act as a test bed for service development. Develop and maintain close working relationships and meaningful partnerships with a wide range of institutions, organisations and individuals to further the Service's objectives. To develop and maintain the significant profile of Leeds City Museum and as a key civic building. Work in partnership with Head of Collections and Programmes and learning, collections, conservation and operational colleagues across the Service to agree exhibitions and display programmes incorporating the best possible interpretation and ensuring the access needs of visitors and audiences and service-wide priorities are central to all developments. Work with the Head of Learning, Community Engagement Manager and other colleagues to engage communities and other audiences including families in the development of the site and socially inclusive learning programmes. Work with the Audience Development team to carry out evaluation and surveys and respond to visitor comments and feedback. Undertake research, fieldwork and visits relevant to the site development as a high quality city centre visitor attraction Promote the positive image of the Service at all times, work with Audience Development to advocate the value of the sites to key stakeholders, opinion formers, visitors and the people of Leeds through lectures, community work, tours, displays, publications, loans, the web and social media including responding to public, professional and academic enquiries. Ensure a high level of customer care across the sites, tackling issues immediately, monitoring and evaluating impact and implementing learning. Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the sites including general housekeeping and health and safety. Take immediate action to resolve building or collection issues with the appropriate team and work on the sites' continual improvement and development. Be curatorially responsible for the structure and interior of Leeds City Museum and Leeds Discovery Centre. Be responsible for the security of the sites. Ensure that appropriate security procedures are in place and by acting as data manager for the CCTV system. To act as one of the emergency key holders for the sites for out-of-hours emergencies. Working closely with Operations, Property Management and Collections teams to develop, implement and monitor a planned maintenance programme to restore, maintain and develop the fabric of the sites. Work in partnership with the Head of Operations and Enterprise to maximise the commercial potential of the site, seeking opportunities for retail, catering, commercial hire and events within the commercial strategy. Manage delegated budgets and seek sponsorship and funding. Manage site-based projects and oversee the Front of House team, site administration and contractors on site. Recruit, train and develop staff to deliver a high-quality service with a focus on audience need to deliver the Service's strategic policy and objectives. Collaborate with colleagues in other National Portfolio Organisations and participate in appropriate professional networks to represent the Service. Deliver accurate and timely performance management data on all aspects of service delivery at sites. Promote and apply consistently the principles of Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policies both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities. Be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and our customers. Achieve recognised Health & Safety qualification specific to job need. Carry out risk assessment and implement safe systems of work as required. Deputise for Head of Operations & Enterprise as required.


The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Educated to degree level or professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area or equivalent experience.


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Essential requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Skills Required

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from staff and volunteers to funders, donors and sector professionals. Ability to collaborate with colleagues across LMG and beyond to provide leadership to the site team and Leeds City Museum. Ability to network within the museum and wider cultural sector and act as an effective advocate for LMG and Leeds City Museum in the city, nationally and internationally. Ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, maintaining effective working relationships. Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines. Ability to operate strategically alongside meeting day-to-day operational requirements. Ability to monitor and control resources including the management of budgets and income targets. Ability to develop, evaluate and implement changes in services and systems.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office. Knowledge of the requirements of the Heath and Safety and Equalities legislation. Clear understanding of audience access issues particularly in relation to museums, galleries and their collections. Knowledge of good practice in visitor services in an art gallery, museums or cultural attractions, including accreditation schemes. Knowledge of local government systems and procedures relating to staff management, finance and procurement.

Experience Required

Experience of planning and delivering events or exhibitions with a wide variety of audiences. Experience of working with collections and in their engagement with audiences. Experience of developing and maintaining partnerships with a wide range of organisations including other museums and galleries, the wider cultural sector, community based organisations and funders such as Art Council England, Art Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Experience of operational management in a major visitor attractions Experience of managing change. Experience in managing budgets including commercial income targets and generating additional funding through sponsorship and grants. Experience in recruiting, managing and developing staff in a customer focussed environment, including training and delivery in line with operational requirements. Experience of preparing and presenting reports & proposals. Experience of maintaining direct contact with visitors and audiences through day-to-day involvement with service delivery and promotion. Experience of successful project management.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.


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Desirable requirements

Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

* Knowledge of local government systems and procedures relating to staff management, finance and procurement.