Business Development Manager – HMS Caroline

Salary (Grade 7):  £44,200 - £47,000 per annum (dependent upon experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (will involve some weekend working)

Location: The National Museum of the Royal Navy at HMS Caroline, Belfast

HMS Caroline is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland still afloat and has had a long and interesting life. Open to the public as a museum and heritage attraction since 2016 and an Art Fund finalist in 2019, this iconic ship is an asset to Belfast’s cultural landscape. We are looking to recruit to the new position of Business Development Manager to lead the on-site operations and develop the commercial and trading activity centered on the ship as new chapter in HMS Caroline’s history.

HMS Caroline has been closed since March 2020 and the Business Development Manager will work with the wider NMRN team to build the on-site team and breathe life back into the ship. HMS Caroline is a very special visitor offer and an exciting space for commercial hires and events. Your job will be to realise this potential and delight visitors and other clients.

This is an exciting time for the ship as we are looking for innovative and creative ways to continue to tell the story of the ship, and to drive financial stability. These improvements will sustain this wonderful ship for many years to come.

We are looking for a candidate that will have a practical grasp of the logistics involved with the operational day to day running of a museum, heritage, or cultural site. Alongside this you will also have an entrepreneurial flair and a creative mindset. You will be commercially aware and have a track record of delivering and exceeding business targets. Our ideal candidate will be experienced in thinking strategically, working autonomously, and effective in influencing and communicating with stakeholders of all levels.

Key Opportunities

• You will be pivotal in re-opening HMS Caroline and creating a sustainable future for her to be enjoyed by local audiences, overseas visitors and other stakeholders for years to come.

• You will have the autonomy to develop a sustainable and innovative business plan for HMS Caroline which delights and inspires and makes the most of her unique proposition.

• You will be empowered to talk to and influence stakeholders at the highest levels to develop and maintain the resilience of the operation.

• You will be able to draw on your previous operational experience to implement an efficient way of working to delight and inspire and share the important, interesting, and engaging story of the ship.
• Having the ownership and empowerment to build and develop a highly motivated and engaged team to achieve the overall strategic objectives for the site.

Knowledge/Experience

We are looking for someone who has had a leadership role in tourism, hospitality, museum or heritage organisation, with an understanding of Belfast and Northern Ireland as a tourism destination.

You will be Innovative and creative with the ability to explore and implement new business opportunities and initiatives. Being entrepreneurial with commercial thinking and sound financial/analytical skills.

You will be able to organise and prioritise your workload to meet competing demands across a range of tasks and comply with tight deadlines.

We Provide

Please click HERE for Role Profile

• The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
• Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
• Free onsite parking.
• 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service.
• Occupational sick pay.
• Occupational maternity, adoption, shared parental and paternity leave.
• Flexible working.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Digital mental wellbeing resource for you and a ‘plus one’.
• Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
• Discounts at our shops and cafes.
• Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.

For further details, or an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Trudie Cole on 023 9272 8061 or trudie.cole@nmrn.org.uk

Applicants are asked to submit a CV and a statement indicating how their knowledge and experience match those specified. Applications should be forwarded to the HR Team at recruitment@nmrn.org.uk and are required by midnight on 9th June 2022. 

We will be conducting the selection process in HMS Caroline in Belfast on 24th June 2022

The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted our responsibility to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place, and we would like to assure you that these are reviewed on a regular basis as the safety of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance to us.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the HR team on recruitment@nmrn.org.uk for support.