We’re looking for a strategic, collaborative leader to shape the future of outdoor experiences across the National Trust. As Senior Lead for Outdoor Experience Development, you’ll set the national direction for how people connect with nature through social and cultural outdoor experiences, including walking, wheeling, play and water‑based activities.
You’ll champion innovation, inclusion and accessibility, ensuring our outdoor offer is consistently good, relevant and welcoming. Working across the organisation and with influential partners, you’ll grow participation, strengthen capability and help make the outdoors an inspiring and integral part of every visitor journey. This role has significant national reach, influencing outdoor experiences for over 100 million visitors each year, both on and beyond our places.
What it's like to work here
You’ll be part of the Visitor Experience Proposition team, working in a collaborative, purpose‑driven environment where learning is shared, ideas are tested and diverse perspectives are valued. People work across boundaries to bring together national strategy with regional and local delivery, creating experiences that feel joined‑up and meaningful throughout the year
You’ll have no direct line management; however, you’ll lead through influence and work in matrix teams across the organisation and with external partners.
As this is a national role, there is flexibility on your contractual place of work. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.
What you'll be doing
You’ll set the strategic vision for outdoor experiences, ensuring our approach grows participation, supports access ambitions and aligns with our mission to connect people with nature, history and culture. You’ll identify opportunities to inspire new and more diverse audiences and scale what works across our varied places, strengthening the value of outdoor experiences for members and visitors alike.
You’ll embed clear standards and frameworks, giving local teams the tools, guidance and confidence to deliver consistently good experiences. Using audience insight and data, you’ll lead innovation and test new ideas, understanding impact and adapting our offer as needs evolve.
Building strong partnerships will be central to the role. You’ll work with sector leaders, funders and communities to unlock new opportunities, while also developing capability, communities of practice and shared learning organisation wide. Nationally you’ll influence strategic boards and shape the frameworks that guide how outdoor experiences are designed and delivered.
Who we're looking for
You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale;
* A strategic leader with experience setting direction at scale, leading large audience‑focused programmes and establishing frameworks that support high‑quality delivery.
* Deeply audience‑focused and inclusive, with strong understanding of engagement, participation and access, and a commitment to growing involvement among new and under‑represented audiences.
* An expert in outdoor and visitor experiences, with a strong understanding of outdoor recreation in natural and heritage settings and what drives satisfaction and repeat engagement.
* A skilled collaborator and influencer, confident working through matrix teams and influencing senior leaders, partners and sector bodies through clear, compelling communication.
* An innovator who scales what works, comfortable testing new ideas and embedding best practice to deliver consistent, resilient and relevant experiences.
* A partnership builder and sector leader, with a proven track record of creating and sustaining strategic external partnerships.
* A capability builder, experienced in creating inclusive learning cultures, communities of practice and integrated ways of working across functions.
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
* Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
* Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
* Rental deposit loan scheme
* Season ticket loan
* EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
* Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
* Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
* Flexible working whenever possible
* Employee assistance programme
* Free parking at most Trust places