Heritage & Engagement Director

Role: Heritage & Engagement Director
Company: Leeds Castle
Location: Nr Maidstone/Kent
Salary: Up to £85,000

Where 900 years of history meet a creative, bold & imaginative future.

Leeds Castle-an extraordinary 900 year old Estate, with Grade I Listed Castle, invites an exceptional heritage leader to shape the next chapter of one of England's most iconic destinations. With a rich legacy of female ownership, a vibrant tradition as a Glamorous Retreat, and a modern role as a leading visitor attraction and independent charity, this is a rare opportunity to support a nationally significant heritage estate through transformation.

Your Mission

As Heritage & Engagement Director, you will lead the interpretation, curatorship, public engagement & fundraising that bring the Castle's stories, landscape and collections to life for a broad range of audiences.

You will:

• Define and deliver a fresh, ambitious interpretive vision that deepens understanding of Leeds Castle's Spirit of Place and elevates our storytelling across the Castle, gardens, estate and wildlife.
• Lead curatorship and collections activity, ensuring rigorous stewardship, research, documentation and conservation of our historic interiors and artefacts.
• Create compelling exhibitions and visitor experiences, including new multimedia, interactive and nature based experiences aligned with our Whole Estate Plan.
• Work with Learning Manager to build on successful schools' offer.
• Drive audience engagement, expanding accessibility, community partnerships and participation while embedding robust evaluation and audience insight.
• Oversee fundraising strategy, supporting the team to build a strong prospect pipeline and secure major grants-including a significant future bid to support essential Castle repairs and accessibility improvements.
• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team across Curatorial, Learning, Fundraising and Community Engagement, nurturing a collaborative culture that embraces curiosity, innovation and long term stewardship.

About You

You will be a proven heritage or cultural sector leader with:

• Demonstrable experience of delivering impactful interpretation, exhibitions and storytelling.
• A strong background in audience development, accessibility, community engagement and partnership working.
• Credible curatorial and collections management expertise, with the ability to set strategy and maintain high standards.
• Experience leading major projects, budget management and cross disciplinary teams.
• Understanding of fundraising techniques and experience of shaping projects that appeal to external funders.
• A collaborative, imaginative, and strategic mindset-bringing creativity, rigour and the distinctive "Leeds Castle twist" to everything you do.

Passion for heritage, people and creating experiences that surprise, delight and endure.

An ability to shift between strategic thinking and putting your shoulder to the wheel in a fast paced, ambitious and high performing team.

Why Now?

Leeds Castle is at an exciting point in its journey:

Major conservation projects underway. Growing fundraising successes, including NLHF support. New ambitions to enhance biodiversity, improve accessibility, and develop nature based visitor experiences. Expanding accommodation, events and learning programmes. A commitment to sustainability and long term estate planning. You will join a dynamic Senior Leadership Team shaping a resilient, imaginative and people centred future for this remarkable estate.

For further information and details on how to apply, please visit

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

William Pringle

Partner, Head of Charity, Arts, Culture & Heritage Practice

Berwick Partners

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Closing date for applications: Friday 10th April 2026