Charity registered in Scotland SC011130
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe. With one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, we are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and display of a substantial part of Scotland’s cultural, historic and national heritage.
Millions of local and international visitors enjoy our four museums each year, and we also introduce our collections to a much wider audience than can physically visit our museums through, touring exhibitions, loans, community engagement, digital programmes and research.
Over the last decade, we have invested over £120 million in our sites and have more than doubled our visitor numbers, with over 3 million people now visiting our four museums. Alongside this, we have continued to transform how we communicate and engage with our audiences. 2019 has seen the completion of our Masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland with the opening of three new galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt, East Asia and the Art of Ceramics.
You will help to ensure long-term fundraising success for National Museums Scotland by working across the Development team to help recruit and steward individual and organisational supporters. Specifically, you will develop, deliver and support campaigns, materials and promotions for recruiting and retaining supporters, and attracting further donations. You will also provide a high standard of stewardship to National Museums Scotland’s Members, Patrons, and donors.
Educated to degree level or equivalent, you must have gained relevant experience in a marketing, fundraising or charity environment. You will have been involved in writing and editing creative fundraising or marketing materials, and have some experience of planning, organising or supporting high quality events. You should also have experience of Raiser’s Edge or a similar CRM system, and you will have experience of utilising data to inform projects. Ideally you will also have managed tenders and dealt with contracted agencies, have experience of writing for the web and of achieving results with the support of volunteers. Knowledge of the legislation pertaining to fundraising would also be useful.
We are currently recruiting for 2x fixed term posts:
- 1x Development Officer, full time (37 hours a week) fixed term maternity cover for 12 months, from 31 October 2022 to 31 October 2023
- 1x Development Officer, full time (37 hours a week) fixed term for 29 months, from 31 October 2022 until 31 March 2025
Please state on your application form whether you are applying for both posts, or for one only.
National Programmes Manager (Sector Support)
- Part time
- £31,534 – £34,291 pro-rata
- This post is based at National Museums Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh with travel to other Museum sites as required.
- Closing 17th July 2022
National Museums Scotland’s National Programme aims to share the National Collections across Scotland and to provide support to the wider Scottish museum sector. This permanent, part-time post (29.6 hours) will be responsible for the effective delivery of our National Advice and Training Programme: leading its content production in consultation with sector experts and in response to industry needs and providing strategic advice on its long-term development. This post will work alongside the National Programmes Manager (National Fund for Acquisitions) to proactively build and actively manage relationships and projects, internally and externally, that ensure effective delivery of our National Programmes.
We are seeking an experienced museums and galleries sector professional, with understanding and knowledge of best practice and policy issues affecting museums and the cultural sector today. You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the sector, skills need, workforce development approaches and awareness of National Museums Scotland’s National Programmes. You will have highly effective communication and presentation skills and an ability to build relationships and facilitate discussions. You will have proven experience of planning and coordinating activities, managing multiple tasks at various levels and self-directing work where required. Ideally, you will have experience of developing and/or delivery advice and training content or event delivery. An understanding or experience of grant administration is desirable.
Top job! Development Manager (Capital and Projects)
- Full time
- £40,158 – £45,082
- Edinburgh
- Closing 19th June 2022
As a charity, the philanthropic income generated by our Development team is vital to our activities. We are hugely proud of the impact we have on people’s lives through sharing the stories of the remarkable objects we care for in Scotland’s National Collection.
We are seeking an experienced Development Manager to join our highly successful team to build on recent success and increase income from philanthropists, lotteries, grant-giving trusts and foundations. The Development Manager (Capital and Projects) will secure income for an interesting and diverse portfolio of capital and other priority projects, such as acquisitions, research and education programmes, refreshed galleries and transformative capital campaigns.
You will be able to demonstrate a proven track record in a relevant role within a fundraising environment and of preparing successful cases for support and 5, 6 and 7 figure bids.
Extensive knowledge of fundraising theory and practice will be essential to meet challenging targets. You must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, and be able to negotiate successfully. You should have demonstrable experience of project managing fundraising activities and successful events and of managing your own prospects and budgets. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or a similar relational database is important, as is the ability to achieve results by working with other people.
Top job! Head of Development
- Full time
- £51,992 – £58,949
- Edinburgh - Hybrid Working options
- Closing 17th June 2022
Now is a great time to join National Museums Scotland as we are embarking on a new Strategic Plan that will guide our work for the next five years.
You will have the chance to shape our fundraising response from the start and play a pivotal role in developing campaigns to support our successful delivery.
We are hugely proud of the impact we have on people’s lives through sharing the stories of the remarkable objects we care for in Scotland’s National Collection.
This new Plan marks a step-change in how we use these collections to address the challenges of the 21st century, exploring pressing questions about identity, climate change and biodiversity loss, and the legacies of colonialism.
As a charity, the philanthropic income generated by our Development Team is vital to our activities. It supports high-profile acquisitions, education and national outreach programmes, exhibitions, refreshed galleries and transformative capital campaigns.
Fundraising at National Museums Scotland is already well-established - over the last 15 years we have successfully raised tens of millions of pounds to support an ambitious programme of capital development across our five sites.
What we now need is an inspirational senior leader to give our team of fantastic fundraisers new direction and a sense of ambition, and to work with the Director of External Relations to build a strong fundraising culture across the organisation.
We have capital projects in development, but the biggest current need is building deeper relationships with our communities of supporters to develop strong unrestricted funding streams and rebooting our approach to funding projects that contribute to our strategic aims.
As our new Head of Development you’ll need to be creative and driven - to be able to spot a great idea, collaborate across the organisation, and use your influence to develop a fundable project out of it.
You will be part of the Leadership Team, the group of senior managers who drive forward our activities, and part of the External Relations Directorate, a close-knit team with a busy and sociable working environment.
You don’t need to have to have worked in museums before, but it’s pretty important to have a curiosity for our collection.
Our public buildings are vibrant places of fun and interactivity as well as contemplative spaces of beauty and escape. They are the tip of the iceberg of our work and we are excited to share with you what goes on behind-the-scenes, our scientific labs and archaeological digs, our expertise in biodiversity, fashion, and cutting-edge technology, and our extraordinary Collection Centre where we store, research, and preserve those objects not on display.
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe. With one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, we are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and display of a substantial part of Scotland’s cultural, historic and national heritage.
Millions of local and international visitors enjoy our four museums each year, and we also introduce our collections to a much wider audience than can physically visit our museums through, touring exhibitions, loans, community engagement, digital programmes and research.
Over the last decade, we have invested over £120 million in our sites and have more than doubled our visitor numbers, with over 3 million people now visiting our four museums. Alongside this, we have continued to transform how we communicate and engage with our audiences. 2019 has seen the completion of our Masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland with the opening of three new galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt, East Asia and the Art of Ceramics.
Your role will be to assist the Development team in building relationships with supporters and assisting with continued improvements to our fundraising database, currently the Raiser’s Edge, You will do this through providing administrative support for our individual giving and major donor programmes, primarily our Membership scheme. This includes processing new and renewing existing Membership applications, including the administration of Direct Debit payments, and dealing with enquiries. You will also support the team with data maintenance and analysis tasks, events and, when required, research.
Educated to secondary school level (or equivalent) you will have sound administrative skills gained within a fundraising, charity or marketing environment.
It is vital that you have strong Microsoft Office skills and that you have proven experience of working with data and using a relational database, such as Raiser’s Edge. You will have experience of dealing with the public and be comfortable and competent working with financial information. It is important that you can build effective relationships with our supporters and colleagues, and that you can work collaboratively, and with initiative to support Development goals.
Top job! Development Manager (Revenue and Projects)
- Full time
- £40,158 – £45,082
- Edinburgh
- Closing 29th August 2021
We are seeking a Development Manager to join our highly successful Development team to build on recent success and increase income from philanthropists, grant-giving trusts and foundations and the corporate sector. The Development Manager (Revenue and Projects) will secure income for an interesting and diverse portfolio of priority projects and programmes. Examples include our special exhibitions, conservation, research, learning and engagement programmes, and landmark acquisitions.
We expect that you will be able to demonstrate the strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this post and that you have the necessary knowledge or experience needed to be successful. You will be able to demonstrate a proven track record in a relevant role within a fundraising environment. Extensive knowledge of fundraising theory and practice will be essential to meet challenging targets. You must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, and be able to negotiate successfully. You should have demonstrable experience of project managing fundraising activities and successful events and of managing your own prospects and budgets. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or a similar relational database is important, as is the ability to achieve results by working with other people.
Engagement Officer (NMRL)
- Full time
- £31,534 – £34,291
- National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride
- Closing 2nd June 2021
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe. With one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, we are responsible for the acquisition, preservation and display of a substantial part of Scotland’s cultural, historic and national heritage.
Millions of local and international visitors enjoy our four museums each year, and we also introduce our collections to a much wider audience than can physically visit our museums through, touring exhibitions, loans, community engagement, digital programmes and research.
Over the last decade, we have invested over £120 million in our sites and have more than doubled our visitor numbers, with over 3 million people now visiting our four museums. Alongside this, we have continued to transform how we communicate and engage with our audiences. 2019 has seen the completion of our Masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland with the opening of three new galleries dedicated to Ancient Egypt, East Asia and the Art of Ceramics.
As part of our Learning and Engagement department, you will develop and deliver exciting, engaging and innovative formal and informal learning programmes for a range of audiences, including schools and teachers, families and adults, thinking creatively and imaginatively to develop programmes that link to the museum displays and working farm at the National Museum of Rural Life.
With experience of working in a similar capacity in a relevant learning environment, such as a museum, visitor attraction, science centre or countryside ranger role, you will also have experience of monitoring and evaluating projects and programmes against strategic aims and objectives and of managing delegated budgets. It is desirable that you have experience of managing others to deliver programmes. Effective communication and team working skills are also important.