People & Culture Director

English Heritage is the charity that cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of the empire to a Cold War bunker. Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year.

With c.2500 employees and c.5,000 volunteers, people are key to everything we achieve at English Heritage. In recognition of this, we have created the new role of People & Culture Director, bringing together the leadership of our HR & Volunteering, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Change & Improvement teams in a post that will represent these services on our Senior Management Team (SMT) for the first time.

Reporting to our Chief Executive, you will be joining our SMT at a critical time as we prepare to launch our new Strategic Plan from April 2025. You and your team will help us embed the outputs of our recent organisational review, improving our efficiency, structures and sustainability. Other key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting our Chief Executive, Board and SMT colleagues to maximise the potential of our people and ensuring that their voice is heard at the highest level of decision-making
• Developing the values, culture and capabilities needed to deliver the charity’s Strategic Plan, and shaping our People Plan to reflect this
• Leading the changes and activities required to make English Heritage feel welcoming for all, whether they work here, volunteer, visit our sites or join as members
• Leading the continued growth of volunteering across the charity, ensuring that our brilliant volunteers enjoy their experience and feel supported and valued
• Championing best practice in change methodology, building our change capability and promoting a culture of continuous improvement
• Ensuring that we make best use of our workplace premises, and that working environments are conducive to both productivity and positivity
• As our Designated Safeguarding Officer, ensuring we provide a safe environment for our people and a culture that encourages people to speak out if they have concerns

To succeed, you will be a senior people and culture leader with experience of providing strategic HR and OD support at Board level. An excellent people manager, you will champion inclusivity, role model our values, and help us deliver change. We are a complex, multi-site organisation employing a wide range of diverse staff groups, working through an exciting and challenging period of strategic change, and we will be looking for you to bring experience that supports this.  An understanding of the charity sector and  volunteers would be desirable.

In return, we offer you a workplace like no other – taking you behind the scenes of these extraordinary sites and supporting you to share your ideas, inspire others and make a difference.   

For a full recruitment pack or any enquiries please visit click through the 'Apply' button. Application will be by CV and Supporting Statement. The Closing Date for applications will be on 11pm on Monday 16^th September.

This role is flexibly based, but there is a significant requirement for travel, given that your teams and customers are spread across the country. It is important to spend time understanding how the EH’s people work, and their working environment, so you will get the opportunity to visit some of the most significant sites England has to offer. You will also need to spend a considerable amount of time at our Head office in London

Everyone is welcome at English Heritage. We are always looking for people who reflect the diversity of the country today, to help us make it more relevant to the diversity of the people, communities and places we serve.