Programming Manager

If you enjoy creating experiences that inspire people, tell powerful stories and help communities feel connected to important places, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for a creative, audience led and commercially focused Experience and Programming Manager to shape how people visit and experience Heartlands and East Pool Mine. This is a rare opportunity to develop programmes, interpretation, partnerships and content that connect people with heritage, place and community, while helping us stay relevant to everyday audiences, encourage new visitors and support a flourishing future for the sites.

You’ll bring together storytelling, participation, audience insight, marketing and partnership working to create inclusive, engaging and memorable experiences. Just as importantly, you’ll think about how great programming can grow audiences, open up creative income opportunities and help Heartlands and East Pool Mine become vibrant, sustainable places that bring heritage and culture closer to communities.

Contract: Fixed term, 2 years

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Working pattern: 7.5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Flexible weekend and bank holiday working may be required as the operation moves towards a 7 day offer.

Salary: Circa 31k

Interview date: Tuesday 25 August 2026

This role is based in Pool, Cornwall, working across two sites, Heartlands and East Pool Mine.

Heartlands is an eight hectare site at the heart of Cornwall’s mining heritage, bringing together historic buildings, green spaces and community facilities. Nearby, East Pool Mine cares for nationally important mining heritage within a World Heritage landscape.

The National Trust and our partner, Cornwall Rural Community Charity, are in negotiations to secure the lease for Heartlands with Cornwall Council. Together, we want to work with the local community to transform Heartlands into a vibrant place for opportunity, inclusion and experiences.

You’ll be joining a supportive and collaborative team where people, places and stories are at the heart of everything we do. This is a busy and evolving environment, used by visitors, the community, neighbours, partners, volunteers, tenants and colleagues, with huge potential to test new ideas and create experiences that feel meaningful, repeatable and sustainable.

You’ll lead the development and delivery of experiences, interpretation and programmes that help people connect with Heartlands and East Pool Mine. This could include events, activities, creative programmes, community led experiences, interpretation, digital content and campaigns that bring the sites to life in fresh and engaging ways.

You’ll use audience insight, visitor feedback and data to understand who already visits, who returns, who is not yet engaging, and how our offer can become more relevant, welcoming and accessible.

A key part of the role will be thinking creatively and commercially about programming. You’ll identify opportunities to generate income through events, partnerships, participation, hire, paid for experiences, repeatable programme models or other activity linked to the sites’ purpose and potential.

You will turn programmes, partnerships and stories into compelling content and campaigns. Helping the right audiences find and understand what’s on offer, you’ll support audience growth, repeat visits and help define the identity of Heartlands and East Pool Mine.

Partnership working will be central to the role. You’ll work with colleagues, communities, volunteers, creative practitioners, tenants, local organisations and external stakeholders to create activity rooted in place and shaped with people. You’ll also look for partnerships that bring shared value, whether through community benefit, joint programming, audience reach, skills, funding or earned income.

You’ll manage budgets, plans and resources carefully, making sure activity is well organised, safe, deliverable and evaluated. You’ll also lead and support others, helping the team and volunteers develop the confidence, skills and shared purpose needed to deliver memorable…