Director of Audiences & Income (Maternity Cover)

About Us

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a unique attraction in south east London where global cultures and the natural world are brought together for everyone to enjoy. The Museum holds internationally important collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as a popular natural history gallery and Aquarium. The 16 acres of beautiful Gardens feature a tropical Butterfly House and offer stunning views across London.



About the Role

We are looking for an ambitious and strategic leader for a fixed term maternity cover with a strong track record in audience development, communications and income generation to join the Horniman’s senior management team. During 2026-2027 the Horniman is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and the completion of a major capital project, Nature + Love, culminating in the reopening of the natural history gallery in early 2027. Successful delivery of the communications, fundraising, digital, visitor experience, commercial and events programming plans for this landmark project are central to this maternity cover role.



Key Responsibilities

To provide strategic leadership to the commercial; digital; events programming; fundraising and membership; marketing and communications; and visitor experience teams

To oversee and champion the Horniman’s audience, brand, marketing and communications, digital and income generation strategies, in support of the Forward Plan and the Horniman mission

To lead on the successful brand positioning of the Horniman as a leading cultural institution and visitor attraction, with the aim of extending and diversifying our audiences and income streams

To contribute to the strategic direction and effective management of the Horniman as a member of the Senior Management Team, helping create inspirational and resilient forward plans and supporting budgets and a happy and productive workforce



About You

You will have experience of leading successful campaigns that grow and engage audiences and generate commercial and/or fundraising revenue in a cultural, heritage or visitor attraction organisation. You will demonstrate strong communication and influencing skills including negotiation, presenting and writing for a variety of audiences and have a keen interest in creative programming and strategies that welcome audiences. You will possess excellent people management skills, enjoy juggling multiple tasks in a busy environment and have a proven ability to work at the senior level this post demands.


Key Qualities, Skills, and Experience

Excellent project, people and team leadership skills, able to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams and work as part of a successful leadership team

Strong communication and influencing skills – including negotiation, presenting and writing for a variety of audiences

Strong financial management expertise – able to set and manage budgets and meet financial targets effectively

A strategic operator who is also happy to be flexible and hands-on operationally

A creative thinker with an entrepreneurial attitude, and a results-driven focus

An empathy with the Horniman mission, values and charitable purpose and a commitment to equity and diversity


The closing date for completed applications is 10am on 24 July 2026. First round interviews will be held on 05-07 August 2026.

The Horniman is an equal opportunities employer and we value and celebrate diversity. We want to better represent the communities in which we work but recognise that there is still much work to do in this area. We welcome and encourage all applicants and particularly encourage you to apply if you are from a community that is often disadvantaged by society or of minority background.​

Museum Website: http://www.horniman.ac.uk/about/jobs