Reports to: Director of Marketing & Experience

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £38k to £42k

Hours:  36.25

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Public Programming and Experience is a senior role responsible for shaping and delivering the SS Great Britain Trust’s public engagement strategy. This role ensures that all public-facing programming and interpretation align with the organisation’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. The role is central to creating high-quality, immersive, and inclusive experiences that connect 21st-century audiences with 19th-century maritime and engineering history in innovative and meaningful ways and position SS Great Britian as a cultural beacon in Bristol.

You will use your creative vision and love of history to originate, shape, and implement a programme of object-rich, story-led, visitor-focused exhibitions, events, and programmes that make a lasting impact with a diverse range of audiences.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Creative Leadership

• Oversee and approve all public programming and interpretation outputs to ensure authentic and relevant storytelling are at the heart of what we do.
• Shape the strategic direction of visitor interpretation, ensuring alignment with audience interests and a high-quality visitor journey.
• Lead the development and delivery of major seasonal programmes, including summer and winter exhibitions and festivals.
• Originate and shape a compelling programme of exhibitions, events, and digital experiences rooted in SSGB’s stories and collections and beyond.
• Work with Director of Marketing and Experience and Director of Brunel Institute to strategically plan and implement multi-year development of our spaces and the core visitor offer, aligned with the sitewide masterplan.
• With the Development Team, scope out and identify funding streams for new initiatives and projects.

Commercial and Partnership Development

• Seek out commercially viable and artistically innovative work that enhances the visitor experience and supports revenue generation.
• Lead contract negotiations and financial deals with creative partners, artists, and suppliers.
• Build and maintain partnerships with specialist organisations, artists, and practitioners to enrich the programme and extend its reach.
• Confidently use business models and construct business cases to ensure financial sustainability of the public offer.

Programme and Project Oversight

• Lead the development and delivery of audience-focused visitor programmes in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Carry out all necessary aspects of project planning for individual projects and events.
• Oversee the delivery of large-scale exhibitions and digital experiences, both temporary and permanent.
• Monitor, track, and reconcile budgets, ensuring financial accountability and value for money.

Cross-Organisational Collaboration

• Ensure alignment across Marketing, Commercial, Community, Learning and Collections teams to maximise impact and coherence.
• Build dynamic relationships with internal teams and external creative partners to deliver high-quality outputs.
• Confidently influence and inspire colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to drive forward new ideas and approaches.

Audience Insight and Evaluation

• Lead on audience insight, evaluation, and impact reporting to inform programme development.
• Build and share a deep understanding of audience and market insight to shape programming decisions.
• Use data and evaluation to drive continuous improvement and innovation in public engagement.

What We’re Looking For

• An in-depth knowledge and passion for history with experience working alongside curatorial and collections experts to collaboratively design experiences and tell authentic stories.
• A brilliant influencer and networker, confident in building relationships with leaders, partners, and delivery teams.
• Significant experience and an impressive track record of developing new experiences and programmes for visitors in complex, multi-disciplinary contexts.
• A deep understanding of audience development, with the ability to translate insight into action.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in business planning, financial modelling, and sustainable programme development.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and impactful public experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and project management skills.

How to Apply:

Please download and complete an application form. Click here to download. Completed application form to be sent to jobs@ssgreatbritain.org

Closing date for applications:  Midday, Friday 25^th July 2025

Interview date:  First interviews will take place on 12^th August 2025