POSITION VACANT: Director, National Trust (NT)
Location: National Trust (NT), Darwin
Term: 2 year contract, part-time (.8 FTE)
Package: $99,000 pa (pro rata) plus 9.5% superannuation
Responsible to: President of the National Trust (NT) Board
Closing date: Monday 16 March 2020
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and/or qualified professional to lead the operations of the National Trust (NT).
This job will present the successful candidate with the opportunity to lead an organisation preserving and promoting the cultural and natural heritage of the Northern Territory. Your role will be varied with a healthy mix of administrative and strategic responsibilities.
Applicants must be dynamic, exceptionally organised, highly motivated, focused, a strong communicator and negotiator, and have a proven track record of leadership in the heritage sector. Experience in fundraising and advocacy, working with diverse communities in remote locations, and forging strong collaborative working relationships and partnerships will be strongly favoured.
The National Trust (NT) is an independent non-governmental organisation, established by legislation in 1976, and driven by a passion for the Territory’s built and intangible natural and cultural heritage. The Trust maintains a property portfolio of fifteen historic buildings through its Branches and presence in Darwin, Katherine, Borroloola, Alice Springs, Timber Creek, Tennant Creek and Pine Creek, and manages the Register of Significant Places, a comprehensive collection of historic material relating to buildings and places in the Northern Territory. The Trust has a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, valuing highly the community’s involvement in its work, relying heavily on a strong cohort of passionate and hard-working volunteers.
If you have a passion for heritage and the environment and are a capable and collaborative leader, then we want to hear from you.
Applications should be in the form of a CV and cover letter indicating how you meet the requirements of the job description and include two referee contacts. Referees will not be contacted without prior consent. Please email your applications to admin@ntnationaltrust.org.au or for any questions please telephone (08) 8981 2848.
Job Description
Purpose of the role
As the National Trust NT Director, you will be required to effectively manage all operations of the Trust, including overseeing the management and preservation of the Trust’s portfolio of properties, finance, communications, partnership management and fundraising, and human resources.
You will work closely with the Trust Executive, particularly the President, to develop and implement a work plan with the strategic support of the wider Trust Council. The Office Manager and Finance Officer will provide operational support.
You will be relied upon by the Trust Council to provide advice and to support sound strategic decision-making. Areas of advice include the application of the Trust’s Regulations; the state of the Trust’s finances; the internal policy framework and its development; and the implementation of the Strategic Plan and annual Business Plan. You will be expected to build an in-depth knowledge of the operations of the Trust as a whole, which will require regular communication and time spent with Trust branches across the Territory.
Applicants are expected to have leadership experience in the Heritage sector, the ability to think strategically and dynamically for the long term, knowledge of, and experience engaging with, the Territory’s built, cultural, and natural heritage, and a proven record of accomplishment of effective diplomacy, particularly in small but complex communities.
You must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong computer literacy with demonstrable abilities in the use of standard computing software and web-based applications.
Main duties
Management
- Reporting to the President, manage the overall operations of the Trust in an efficient and effective manner;
- In collaboration with the Executive, provide strategic direction and leadership for the Trust, including the development of a 3-year Strategic Plan and annual Business Plan for endorsement by the Council;
- In collaboration with branches, oversee the management of the Trust’s properties, including the development of conservation, management and interpretation plans as required for individual properties;
- Act as Project Manager for all Trust projects delivered by external consultants, in collaboration with the branch concerned; and
- Employ and supervise Trust staff as required and financially feasible, and undertake an annual review of each staff member.
Operations:
- Develop an appropriate and realistic annual budget for ratification by the Council;
- Develop and implement a Revenue and Fundraising Strategy, actively seeking sponsorship for the delivery of projects identified in the Trust’s Strategic Plan and Business Plan;
- Develop, implement, and review Trust policies and procedures in consultation with the Executive; and
- Maintain regular contact with all Trust Branches to provide support and advice, travelling to branches at least twice a year to do so in person.
Administrative:
- Prepare meeting and agenda papers for the Trust Council in a timely manner;
- Identify, prepare, submit, and acquit grant applications to funding bodies;
- Maintain concise records of all National Trust business dealings; and
- Act as Editor for all National Trust publications (e.g. the Trust’s Annual Report, media releases, and E-news).
Community engagement and advocacy:
- Oversee the development of a Communications Strategy for the Trust, ensuring a high-level public profile for the Trust through liaison with Territory and Federal politicians, Government agencies, business, media, and community groups;
- Oversee the development of a Membership and Volunteer strategy, to increase the Trust’s membership and increase and diversify the Trust’s volunteer cohort;
- Oversee the development of a Public Engagement Strategy, including implementation of the new strategy for the Darwin Heritage Festival; and
- Represent the Trust on related committees of Government and other organisations, as required.
Undertake any other tasks that may be required by the Trust Executive.
Essential requirements
- Demonstrated high-level strategic planning and policy development skills in organisations in the heritage sector or related environment.
- Demonstrated financial acumen and business skills in the management of facilities and budgets.
- Strong networking skills at the institutional, government and community levels, with extensive experience in building partnerships and managing stakeholder relationships.
- Experience managing and working with volunteers and consultants to deliver organisational objectives.
- Expertise and experience in the management and promotion of built, cultural and/or natural heritage, and a strong understanding of industry standards for the heritage sector.
- High level oral and written communication skills with proven ability to write complex reports, policy papers, briefings and other correspondences that report on a diverse range of activities.
- Exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving, negotiation and presentation skills, including the ability to collaborate with others to achieve strategic and operational objectives, and to interact effectively with people of different cultures and beliefs.
- Energetic, self-motivated, flexible and adaptable, with a sense of humour, and the ability to multi-task and work independently in a hands-on work environment.
Desirable requirements
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, with management and supervisory experience within heritage or cultural institutions, or similar environment.
- An extensive network of professional colleagues and stakeholder contacts in the heritage sector or related environment.
