Project Manager – Opening up the Saltaire Collection
Location: Saltaire, West Yorkshire (hybrid working)Contract: Fixed-term (2 year project duration)Hours: Full-timeSalary: £38,000
About the Project
The Saltaire World Heritage Education Association (SWHEA) are relocating the Saltaire Collection of 7,000 items, into a publicly accessible space in a new building, shared with Shipley College and central to Saltaire. This will enable free access to this unique collection in the heart of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the first time. SWHEA are working towards museum accreditation, and the new exhibition spaces will bring to life the stories of the village, its people and its role in shaping social reform, industry and community life.
We have developed partnerships with representative groups from diverse communities in the Bradford district and this project will seek to strengthen these relationships, collaborate with local residents and coproduce the new displays, which will be inclusive and accessible to a wide range of audiences.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Project Manager to lead the delivery of this exciting project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, from planning to public opening.
Please see our website for more information about SWHEA http://www.saltairecollection.org
About the Role
You will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the project, including design and fit out of the collections store, research facilities and public display space, community collaboration and coproduction, stakeholder liaison, risk and budget management and operational readiness for opening.
You will report to the Project Board and work closely with designers, contractors, community partners, local residents, volunteers, trustees and funders (including the National Lottery Heritage Fund).
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Delivery
- Oversee the delivery of the collections store, research facilities and museum spaces in the new building to agreed timelines, budgets and quality standards
- Oversee the safe relocation of the collection
- Create tender documents and lead the procurement of an Exhibition Design and Fit Out Company/s to take our concept designs to installation and handover
- Manage the project plan, reporting to the Project Board and funders
- Assist the Exhibition Design company with coordination of contractors, exhibition designers, consultants and specialist suppliers
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work alongside community partners to co-curate stories, select collection objects and deliver inspiring interpretation
- Build strong relationships with local residents, schools, heritage organisations and volunteers
- Ensure the heritage hub reflects diverse voices and is inclusive, relevant and accessible to all
Budget & Risk Management
- Manage the project budget, cashflow and financial reporting
- Monitor project risks and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are in place
- Ensure compliance with NLHF and organisational requirements
Operational Readiness
- Develop plans for staffing, volunteer recruitment and training
- Support development of relevant documents for Museum Accreditation, including SPECTRUM compliant Care and Conservation Plan and Policy and Access Plan and Policy
- Coordinate soft launch, testing and final public opening
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience delivering exhibition, heritage or cultural capital projects
- Strong project management skills, including budget control, risk management and stakeholder coordination
- Experience of working with a team of volunteers
- Knowledge of exhibition interpretation, co-curation or collections care
- Experience of working with diverse community partners
- Experience working with designers, contractors and/or exhibition fabricators
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Commitment to inclusive practice and community engagement
- Understanding of best practice in collections care and storage
- Understanding of best practice in collections access and interpretation, including accessible and inclusive exhibition design
- Knowledge of relevant museum standards such as the Accreditation scheme and SPECTRUM collections management standard
Desirable
- Experience with National Lottery Heritage Fund processes
- Understanding of Saltaire’s history or similar industrial heritage sites
Application Timeline
Applications open 11th May 2026
Application deadline 5th June 2026 5pm
Shortlisting completed 15th June 2026
Interviews Week commencing 29th June 2026 in-person at Saltaire
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the person specification to saltairestories@gmail.com by 5th June 2026 5pm.
Please contact us if you have any queries or would like an informal conversation ahead of applying.
NB: Employment offers are subject to pre-employment checks including DBS and references.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating collection displays that reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in the heritage and cultural sectors, including people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
If you have access needs at any stage of the recruitment process or would like to submit your application in a different format, please let us know. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure the process is inclusive and accessible for all.
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