Overview
Senior Lead – VE Engagement & Communities of Practice – Heelis,Swindon, United Kingdom
We’re looking for a Senior Lead for Visitor Experience Engagement & Communities of Practice to join us to help connect, motivate and support colleagues across our Visitor Experience network.
As an experienced communicator and collaborator you’ll bring people together around a shared purpose. At the National Trust, we’re welcoming a bigger and broader audience, and visitor experience relies on the collective efforts of thousands of staff and volunteers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In this influential role, you’ll foster shared learning, strengthen collaboration and build an inclusive culture where people feel connected, informed and confident in delivering exceptional visitor experiences.
You’ll join a collaborative and purpose-driven team at the heart of Visitor Experience. Working with colleagues across the organisation, you’ll help shape how we communicate, engage and learn together, building strong relationships and influencing at scale to support an inclusive, connected and confident network of people.
In this highly visible role you’ll work across multiple disciplines, building relationships with senior leaders, specialists and practitioners from across the organisation and beyond.
You’ll lead and develop Visitor Experience communities of practice, creating opportunities for colleagues to share knowledge, skills and expertise across the organisation.
You’ll design and deliver engaging internal communications and engagement activity that connects people to strategic priorities and strengthens collaboration across teams. Working with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, you’ll build capability and confidence through learning opportunities, events and action-learning approaches, while creating clear and effective communications that help people access the information they need. You’ll bring people together to share best practice, solve challenges and identify opportunities for improvement, influencing and engaging stakeholders at all levels. You’ll also evaluate the impact of engagement activity, using insight to continuously improve approaches and identify new ideas, trends and innovations that can enhance visitor experience across the National Trust.
You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale;
- Significant experience leading engagement, communications and collaboration across large, complex matrix organisations.
- Proven success designing and delivering impactful multi-channel communications and engagement strategies.
- Experience building and sustaining networks, communities of practice and shared learning initiatives.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to connect people across functions and levels.
- Strong facilitation and communication skills, translating complex ideas into clear, actionable messages.
- Experience leading through influence, driving collaboration and outcomes without direct line management.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to inclusive, collaborative ways of working, creating opportunities that build capability, confidence and knowledge sharing.
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NASenior Lead – VE Engagement & Communities of Practice – Grade 4.pdf Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Closing Date: 25 November 2026
Interview Date: 1st Stage Interview – 12 November 2026, 2nd Stage – Interview 24 November 2026
To apply for this vacancy simply click the ‘apply’ button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we’ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
