Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Heritage Manager

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Heritage Manager is the primary steward of a place of historical or cultural significance. This isn't just a caretaking job; it's a dynamic leadership role that blends conservation with commerce, and history with public engagement. You are the driving force behind the site's strategic direction, ensuring its physical preservation, financial sustainability, and relevance to future generations. A successful Heritage Manager balances the delicate needs of the asset itself with the expectations of visitors, funders, staff, and the wider community, acting as an advocate, a business leader, a historian, and a storyteller all in one.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Museum Curator or Collections Manager
Senior Conservation Officer
Archivist or Senior Archivist
Cultural Programming Coordinator

Advancement To:

Director of Heritage or Head of Cultural Assets
Chief Operating Officer (for a cultural institution)
Regional Director for a national heritage organization
Senior Policy Advisor for Arts & Culture

Lateral Moves:

Arts and Culture Consultant
Director of a Museum or Gallery
Senior Project Manager (Capital Projects in the cultural sector)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and implement a forward-thinking, long-range strategic plan for the heritage site, ensuring it aligns with the organization's mission and financial realities.
Provide inspirational leadership to a diverse team of employees, specialists, and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and professional development.
Oversee the comprehensive management, conservation, and maintenance of all heritage assets, including buildings, collections, archives, and landscapes, according to professional standards.
Take full ownership of the site's financial performance, including setting and managing operational and capital budgets, financial forecasting, and identifying new income streams.
Act as the principal public face and advocate for the heritage site, passionately communicating its significance to a wide range of audiences, from government bodies to the general public.
Cultivate and nurture strong, productive relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, community groups, government agencies, donors, and academic partners.
Spearhead fundraising efforts by identifying, writing, and securing grants from public and private sources, as well as developing and executing major donor and capital campaigns.
Ensure the site is a welcoming, engaging, and accessible place for all, continuously developing and refining the visitor experience to drive attendance and deepen engagement.
Direct the creation and delivery of innovative and high-quality public programming, including exhibitions, educational workshops, tours, and digital content.
Oversee all commercial activities on-site, such as retail, catering, and venue hire, with a focus on maximizing profitability without compromising the site's integrity.
Ensure rigorous compliance with all relevant local, national, and international legislation, heritage designations, and conservation charters.
Lead the planning and execution of major capital works and conservation projects, managing consultants, contractors, and budgets from conception through to completion.
Develop and implement robust risk management strategies, including disaster preparedness and emergency response plans for both people and collections.
Champion the ongoing research, interpretation, and documentation of the site's history and collections, making knowledge accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
Guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to elevate the site’s profile and reach new and diverse markets.

Secondary Functions

Liaise with local and regional tourism bodies to integrate the site into broader destination marketing initiatives.
Foster partnerships with First Nations or indigenous communities to ensure respectful collaboration, interpretation, and care of cultural heritage.
Oversee the management of digital assets, including collections databases, websites, and social media presence, ensuring they are current and effective.
Prepare and present detailed, insightful reports on operational performance, project progress, and strategic initiatives to the board of directors and senior leadership.
Stay current with emerging trends, innovative technologies, and best practices within the global heritage, museum, and cultural sectors.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Strategic Financial Management: Proven ability to develop and manage complex budgets, P&L statements, and long-term financial plans within a non-profit or cultural context.
Grant Writing & Fundraising: Demonstrated track record of successfully securing substantial funding from a variety of sources, including foundations, government grants, and private philanthropy.
Conservation Principles & Practice: Deep understanding of modern conservation ethics, materials science, and best practices for the preservation of buildings, landscapes, and artifacts (e.g., ICOMOS charters).
Collections Management Systems: Proficiency with museum-specific software (e.g., TMS, Mimsy XG, PastPerfect) for cataloging, loans, and collection care.
Project Management: Formal or informal expertise in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, particularly capital or conservation works, from initiation to closeout.
Legislative & Policy Acumen: Thorough knowledge of relevant heritage protection legislation, planning regulations, and health and safety laws.
Curatorial & Interpretive Planning: Skill in developing compelling narratives and interpretive frameworks for exhibitions and public programming.

Soft Skills

Inspirational Leadership: The ability to motivate, mentor, and unite a diverse team around a common vision, empowering them to do their best work.
Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional interpersonal and diplomacy skills to build and maintain trust with a wide array of partners, from community activists to government officials.
Compelling Communication: The capacity to articulate the value and significance of heritage in a way that is persuasive and inspiring to any audience, both in writing and public speaking.
Commercial Acumen: A creative and entrepreneurial mindset to identify and capitalize on revenue-generating opportunities while respecting the core mission.
Strategic & Visionary Thinking: The ability to look beyond daily operations to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, and to chart a sustainable course for the long term.
Resilience & Adaptability: Poise and effectiveness in navigating ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and solving complex problems under pressure.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is the standard entry point.

Preferred Education:

A Master’s degree is highly preferred and often required for senior-level roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Museum Studies / Heritage Studies
History / Art History / Archaeology
Conservation / Historic Preservation
Arts Administration / Cultural Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience within the heritage, museum, or cultural sector.

Preferred:

Significant experience in a leadership role with responsibility for staff management, budget oversight, and strategic planning. Direct experience managing a historic site or a significant collection is highly advantageous. Proven success in fundraising and stakeholder relations is a key differentiator.