Head of Hampton Court Palace

Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) is a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. We create space for spirits to stir and be stirred. We want everyone to feel welcome and accepted. We tell stories about the monarchs you know, and the lives you don’t. We let people explore and we set minds racing. 

We are looking for a new Head of Hampton Court Palace, one of our unique and internationally important heritage sites, where we welcome millions of visitors each year to enjoy the site and the wide range of functions and events we hold. 

As the Head of Hampton Court Palace, you will be responsible for ensuring we have a highly motivated and engaged team who work together to make every experience with us a great one.  You will hold responsibility for the Palace on a day-to-day basis, leading all operational teams and coordinating the activity of specialist departments who work on making the various elements of our offer world class.

You’ll help the organisation deliver its cause by facilitating the development of our plans and leading various front-line teams in delivering them.  You’ll also ensure our visitor experience is seamless and top of class, whilst overseeing the delivery of major commercial and private hire events, as well as the day-to-day visitor offer and holding responsibility for security and compliance on site.

We are looking for a strategic thinker as well as someone who is ready to roll up their sleeves and get involved in delivery. With an interest in heritage and strong experience in the heritage/arts/visitor business or hospitality sectors, you’ll be a visible leader who inspires and motivates your team. 

One of your key qualities will be in bringing teams together to deliver fantastic experiences that inspire a love of the special places we look after. Experience of working in a highly collaborative culture and having a successful track record in managing challenging and complex stakeholder relations is essential. In addition, you will have proven experience of continuously delivering improvements and efficiencies in core business operating models, of improving commercial performance, and of continuously improving customer service.

About the Palace: Hampton Court Palace is an internationally important Tudor and Baroque Palace, with formal gardens and park. It welcomes around a million day visitors, community group members and school children per year and many more who make use of the freely accessible park and riverside path. It hosts several large-scale annual events including the Garden Festival, Music Festival, Food Fair, and car show. It also hosts around a hundred smaller private and corporate hire events such as weddings and banquets; is home to many residential and commercial tenants in buildings around the wider estate; and is home to The Chapel Royal and The Royal Tennis Club. It also houses our head office.

Other information:    Our charity is a visitor attraction and as such, you will be required to work approximately one weekend in three.

Accommodation could be provided, subject to taking on Duty Superintendent responsibilities for out of hours emergency cover (on a shared rota basis).

Please be clear in your application whether you would also like to be considered for the Head of Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Banqueting House role.

Closing date for applications:  8th August 2022