Reports to: Director of Marketing & Experience
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £38k to £42k
Hours: 36.25
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Public Programming and Experience is a senior role responsible for shaping and delivering the SS Great Britain Trust’s public engagement strategy. This role ensures that all public-facing programming and interpretation align with the organisation’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. The role is central to creating high-quality, immersive, and inclusive experiences that connect 21st-century audiences with 19th-century maritime and engineering history in innovative and meaningful ways and position SS Great Britian as a cultural beacon in Bristol.
You will use your creative vision and love of history to originate, shape, and implement a programme of object-rich, story-led, visitor-focused exhibitions, events, and programmes that make a lasting impact with a diverse range of audiences.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Creative Leadership
1. Oversee and approve all public programming and interpretation outputs to ensure authentic and relevant storytelling are at the heart of what we do.
2. Shape the strategic direction of visitor interpretation, ensuring alignment with audience interests and a high-quality visitor journey.
3. Lead the development and delivery of major seasonal programmes, including summer and winter exhibitions and festivals.
4. Originate and shape a compelling programme of exhibitions, events, and digital experiences rooted in SSGB’s stories and collections and beyond.
5. Work with Director of Marketing and Experience and Director of Brunel Institute to strategically plan and implement multi-year development of our spaces and the core visitor offer, aligned with the sitewide masterplan.
6. With the Development Team, scope out and identify funding streams for new initiatives and projects.
Commercial and Partnership Development
7. Seek out commercially viable and artistically innovative work that enhances the visitor experience and supports revenue generation.
8. Lead contract negotiations and financial deals with creative partners, artists, and suppliers.
9. Build and maintain partnerships with specialist organisations, artists, and practitioners to enrich the programme and extend its reach.
10. Confidently use business models and construct business cases to ensure financial sustainability of the public offer.
Programme and Project Oversight
11. Lead the development and delivery of audience-focused visitor programmes in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
12. Carry out all necessary aspects of project planning for individual projects and events.
13. Oversee the delivery of large-scale exhibitions and digital experiences, both temporary and permanent.
14. Monitor, track, and reconcile budgets, ensuring financial accountability and value for money.
Cross-Organisational Collaboration
15. Ensure alignment across Marketing, Commercial, Community, Learning and Collections teams to maximise impact and coherence.
16. Build dynamic relationships with internal teams and external creative partners to deliver high-quality outputs.
17. Confidently influence and inspire colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to drive forward new ideas and approaches.
Audience Insight and Evaluation
18. Lead on audience insight, evaluation, and impact reporting to inform programme development.
19. Build and share a deep understanding of audience and market insight to shape programming decisions.
20. Use data and evaluation to drive continuous improvement and innovation in public engagement.
What We’re Looking For
21. An in-depth knowledge and passion for history with experience working alongside curatorial and collections experts to collaboratively design experiences and tell authentic stories.
22. A brilliant influencer and networker, confident in building relationships with leaders, partners, and delivery teams.
23. Significant experience and an impressive track record of developing new experiences and programmes for visitors in complex, multi-disciplinary contexts.
24. A deep understanding of audience development, with the ability to translate insight into action.
25. Strong commercial acumen, with experience in business planning, financial modelling, and sustainable programme development.
26. Proven ability to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and impactful public experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
27. Excellent communication, negotiation, and project management skills.
How to Apply:
Please download and complete an application form. Completed application form to be sent to jobs@ssgreatbritain.org
Closing date for applications: Midday, Friday 25th July 2025
Interview date: First interviews will take place on 12th August 2025