Senior Manager: World Heritage Site

Job Title:  Senior Manager:  World Heritage Site
Department: University Library and Collections
Grade: Grade 8  
Salary range: £43,414 - £51,805 per annum
Working arrangements: Full time 5 days in 7, with potential for weekend and bank holiday working
Closing date: Sunday 5th March 2023
Potential interview date:  w/c 27th March 2023

Durham World Heritage Site

Durham’s World Heritage Site was inscribed by UNESCO in 1986 in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value and consists of Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle and the buildings located between them.

Durham Cathedral was built between 1093 and 1133 and is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. It contains the shrines of two Saints, Bede and Cuthbert. The Venerable Bede lived in the seventh century and is considered “the Father of English history”. St Cuthbert was instrumental in spreading Christianity in the north of England.

The Castle whose construction was commenced in 1072 was home to the Prince-Bishops of Durham, religious leaders who also had secular powers. It is used as accommodation and teaching space for the University. It has been a continuous centre of learning for over 1000 years.

This post, a joint appointment between the University, the Cathedral and the Council offers an exciting opportunity for someone with the dedication, skills and enthusiasm to work with the WHS partners to widen understanding of the value of the site, promote and enhance the visitor experience and work with the World Heritage Site Co-ordination Committee to ensure the well-being of the site through the conservation of its fabric and understand of its value to world heritage.

The post is hosted by the University on behalf of the partners. The post-holder will be based in Palace Green Library which hosts the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.

The University 
 
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.   

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here
 
The Role and Department 
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 
 
Working at Durham  
 
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:  

•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.   
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year 
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS) which the University will add contributions of 21.4%.  
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. 
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.  
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. 
•    On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays. 
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community 
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.  
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.  
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. 
 
 

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.   As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 
 
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification 
 
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.   
 
Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  Your application should cover the following criteria: 

  
Essential Criteria

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of working in a World Heritage Site setting

2. Experience of successful marketing and communication management

3. Experience of managing complex relationships, working with a variety of organisations in a specific context/setting

How to apply 
   
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). 
 
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.    
   
Submitting your application  
 
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
   
What you need to submit    
 
•    A CV
•    A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
 

Contact details    
   
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Liz Waller, University Librarian and Director of University Library and Collections,  liz.waller@durham.ac.uk
 
Further information about the role 

Role Delivery

• Work with and support the WHS Co-ordinating Committee (WHS CoCo) in their strategic and operational management of the World Heritage Site, providing strategic input and guidance to the committee
• Offer technical, operational and secretariat support to the WHS CoCo and working groups
• Support and collaborate with Durham University in the operation of the WHS Visitor Centre, which is managed on a day to day basis by Durham University on behalf of the WHS partners
• Develop, lead and manage programmes, projects and events for the WHS, managing input and expectation of WHS partners and external organisations and individuals, , taking responsibility for decision making as appropriate. 
• Lead on the design, implementation and monitoring of KPIs for the delivery of the WHS Management Plan, producing reports for the WHS CoCo 
• Manage the WHS operational budget
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion and the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals in the work and activity of the WHS site.

Planning and Organising

• Lead the periodic revision and updating of the WHS Management Plan working with the WHS CoCo and across relevant stakeholders, including the local community
• Offer strategic input to the development of the WHS Management Plan
• Co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the WHS Management plan on behalf of the WHS CoCo in line with agreed timetable sand actions and report progress to the Committee, partner organisations and statutory bodies as required.
• Identify opportunities to work with other bodies in the fulfilment of the WHS Management Plan.
• Carry out project scoping, initiation, planning and implementation for strategic, pan organisational WHS initiatives 

Teamwork

• Work with team members and stakeholders to build and maintain excellent working relationships. 
• Contribute to operational leadership teams and decision making to shape the nature and level of support services. 

Communication/Networking

• Produce communications for promotion and reporting purposes, designing and structuring information and fact, applying creative and innovative principles to influence and engage.  
• Liaise directly with relevant personnel in the main stakeholder organisations: Durham University; St Johns College; Durham Cathedral and Durham County Council to ensure co-ordination and communication amongst the stakeholders 
• Liaise with other UK world heritage sites through, for example, World Heritage UK. 
• Monitor developments and communication from UNESCO and other relevant bodies e.g. ICOMOS and provide updates to the WHS CoCo 
• To take responsibility for the promotion of the WHS, preparing and implementing an annual marketing and communication plan for the WHS Coordinating Committee.   
• Promote the WHS to stakeholders, residents and visitors in collaboration with partners and other stakeholders. 
• Work with regional and national bodies within tourism and heritage sectors to be an ambassador for the WHS and its significance. 
• Lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committee  
• Lead internal business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at operational service level to influence governance, organisational policy and standards for the World Heritage Site.  
• Represent the WHS at internal and external meetings as appropriate, and contribute to the delivery of presentations at conferences. 

Knowledge and Experience

• Advise the WHS Coordinating Committee stakeholder groups on sources of funding, writing funding applications and proposals as appropriate. 
• Keep a watching brief on external projects or wider issues that may conflict with WHS Management Plan, providing necessary briefings to the WHS CoCo 
• Ensuring the “outstanding universal value” of the WHS by working with the WHS CoCo and other stakeholders 
• Provide expertise in heritage practice and problem-solving skills. 
• Promote and develop a deep understanding of the management of World Heritage sites including external developments.  
• Any other reasonable duties.   

Useful links 
 
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   
  

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.