Aerospace Bristol is hiring: freelance Heritage Project Support Officer

Freelance Heritage Project Support Officer

Contract: Freelance consultancy, approximately two days per week, for an initial six-month period

About Aerospace Bristol

Aerospace Bristol is the museum for flight, space, Concorde and beyond – a place where imagination takes off.

From Filton to the world, we bring the story of flight to life. The legacy of aerospace lives on not only in the aircraft, engines and collections we conserve, but in the stories we share.

Aerospace Bristol is a place where people connect with history, with each other and with the ideas that shaped the modern world. By opening the doors to discovery for all, we aim to inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators and explorers.

We are entering an exciting period of major heritage projects, including the conservation of the Bristol Type 170 Freighter, the preservation and future development of Filton's famous Air Traffic Control Tower and a number of other significant museum and heritage projects.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced freelance Heritage Project Support Officer to help us make these projects happen.

Working alongside the CEO, Head of Projects and specialist colleagues, you will provide practical, hands-on project support across a portfolio of heritage, conservation and capital projects. This is not a traditional administrative support role, and nor is it a senior strategic project management role. We need someone with the experience and judgement to understand what a project needs next and the practical approach to get on and do it.

One day you might be commissioning a survey, obtaining quotations or coordinating an architect or specialist consultant; the next you might be preparing papers for a project meeting, following up actions, bringing project information together or making sure the right documents are in the right place.

We are looking for someone practical, proactive and collaborative: someone who enjoys quietly making things happen, is comfortable working independently, and is equally willing to undertake the detailed work that keeps projects moving.

Key responsibilities

·       Provide practical coordination and delivery support across a portfolio of museum, heritage and capital projects.

·       Develop and maintain proportionate project plans, action trackers, risk information and other essential project documentation.

·       Organise project meetings and project boards, including agendas, papers, actions and follow-up.

·       Bring together and maintain project information and files so that key documents, surveys, drawings and decisions are easy to find.

·       Commission and coordinate specialist consultants, surveys and professional advice, working with colleagues to identify what is required.

·       Liaise with architects, engineers, contractors, conservation specialists, funders, partners and other external stakeholders.

·       Follow up agreed actions and commitments with colleagues and external partners so that projects continue to move forward.

·       Monitor progress against milestones and flag emerging risks, delays, dependencies or decisions required.

·       Support the preparation of concise project updates and one-page reports for senior leadership, project boards, trustees and funders.

·       Work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a small team, taking on the practical tasks needed to help projects succeed.

About you

·       You have good experience of supporting or coordinating complex projects and can work with a high degree of independence.

·       You are highly organised, practical and good at turning discussion and ideas into actions.

·       You have the judgement and initiative to identify what needs to happen next rather than waiting to be given a detailed task list.

·       You are confident working with consultants, specialists and external stakeholders, while recognising and drawing on the expertise of colleagues.

·       You can produce clear, concise and proportionate project documentation without creating unnecessary process or bureaucracy.

·       You are collaborative, approachable and are happy to work at every level - from commissioning professional advice to sorting project files and chasing an outstanding action.

·       You enjoy working in a small organisation where flexibility, teamwork and a willingness to roll up your sleeves matter.

Experience of museum, heritage, conservation or heritage capital projects would be particularly valuable. We also welcome interest from people with relevant transferable experience from other sectors who understand the particular considerations involved in protecting and developing heritage assets.

Contract

·       Freelance consultancy contract.

·       Approximately two days per week.

·       Initial six-month appointment.

·       Flexible working arrangements, with regular attendance at Aerospace Bristol required.

·       Day rate dependent on experience.

How to apply

If this opportunity interests you, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a short covering letter (maximum two pages) to Karen.Munro-burton@aerospacebristol.org outlining:

·       why this opportunity interests you;

·       your relevant experience supporting heritage, conservation, capital or other complex projects;

·       an example of a project where you successfully coordinated people, consultants and activities to keep a project moving;

·       your availability and indicative day rate.

To request further information about the role or to arrange an informal discussion please contact

Karen.Munro-burton@aerospacebristol.org to arrange a convenient time with Sally Cordwell

Chief Executive Officer.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to Aerospace Bristol for an informal discussion about the role and our current projects, giving us an opportunity to explore how you work and whether the role is the right fit for both parties.