Conservation Manager
Role Overview
Lead the day-to-day maintenance and ongoing refit of the historic ship.
The role combines traditional craftsmanship, practical maintenance, project coordination, and conservation.
Work with management, specialist contractors, and the wider team to keep the ship structurally sound, safe, operational, and historically authentic.
The scope of the role will reflect the successful candidate’s experience and expertise.
Key Skills for This Role
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About The Golden Hinde
The Golden Hinde is a full-scale reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake’s ship, permanently moored in central London.
The ship has operated as a museum and educational resource since 1996, welcoming visitors and schools and hosting events and venue hire.
The ship is undergoing a multi-million-pound refit funded through its own income.
Role summary
Lead the day-to-day maintenance and ongoing refit of the historic ship.
The role combines traditional craftsmanship, practical maintenance, project coordination, and conservation.
Work with management, specialist contractors, and the wider team to keep the ship structurally sound, safe, operational, and historically authentic.
The scope of the role will reflect the successful candidate’s experience and expertise.
Maintenance, refit, and leadership
- Plan and deliver vessel maintenance, restoration, and improvement projects; carry out practical repair and conservation work where appropriate.
- Monitor vessel condition, prioritize preventative maintenance, and safeguard structural integrity and historical authenticity.
- Coordinate the refit; supervise contractors, specialist trades, and suppliers; assist with planning, scheduling, procurement, and resource allocation.
- Monitor progress, budgets, and work programmes; identify risks and recommend practical solutions.
- Lead maintenance activities and support or mentor junior staff, apprentices, and volunteers where appropriate.
- Maintain safe, organised, compliant work areas and promote high standards of workmanship and health and safety.
- Adapt work programmes to support museum, events, and commercial operations.
- Engage positively with visitors, volunteers, and stakeholders and help communicate traditional shipbuilding, conservation, and restoration.
About you
- Practical experience in maintenance, restoration, construction, marine engineering, conservation, or a related field.
- Strong organisational and project coordination skills and experience managing contractors and specialist trades.
- Good problem-solving and decision-making abilities; sound understanding of health and safety.
- Able to work independently and contribute effectively within a small team; practical, detail-oriented, and proactive.
- Physically capable of working safely aboard a historic timber vessel; must have the right to work in the UK.
Desirable experience
- Traditional shipbuilding or boatbuilding; timber conservation or structural timber repairs.
- Heritage buildings or historic vessel conservation; maritime or museum environments.
- The source description is truncated after the beginning of an additional desirable-experience item.
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