Learning & Outreach Manager

At the heart of our Museum is a rich heritage of making the complex simple, a philosophy inspired by our founder, John Haynes OBE, creator of the world-famous Haynes Manuals, which empowered people to understand and repair their own vehicles. 

Today we carry that legacy forward by making Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and motoring history accessible to all, opening doors to lifelong discovery. 

As the leader of the Learning and Outreach team, you will drive forward the museum’s learning and engagement strategy while delivering high-quality educational sessions for schools and adult groups. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, shaping our programme of activities and ensuring meaningful engagement with diverse audiences. 

You will lead outreach across the region, working with colleagues to engage audiences of all ages and bring automotive engineering and heritage to life. This is an opportunity to shape how communities connect with our Collection and to inspire the next generation to explore automotive heritage, design and engineering. 

Working within the Collections Department and reporting directly to the Curator, you will play a vital role in supporting the Museum’s charitable objectives. You will collaborate with a dedicated team of Learning Officers and volunteers to deliver a wide range of engaging formal and informal learning activities, and work closely with other departments to ensure a joined-up approach across the organisation. 

We are looking for an experienced museum learning professional with a passion for developing and delivering high-quality informal and formal learning activities, both on-site and through outreach. 

You will be a confident leader and communicator, with the ability to manage, motivate and develop a team, and to report on Learning and Outreach strategy objectives to internal and external stakeholders. 

You will be confident delivering engaging sessions to diverse audiences and passionate about using storytelling to bring automotive engineering and motoring history to life. An enthusiasm for inspiring curiosity and engagement, alongside an interest in STEM, is essential. 

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow Learning and Outreach activities, embedding the power of ‘How’ and contributing to our ambition of becoming a STEM hub for the South West.

Leadership and Strategy 

• Lead and manage the Learning and Outreach team, currently comprising two part-time Learning Officers and volunteers.

• Report internally and externally against strategic objectives and funder requirements.  

• Contribute to the Learning and Outreach Strategy Working Group.  

Programme Development and Delivery 

• Design, deliver and evaluate learning activities, using insights to inform continuous improvement.  

• Develop high-quality informal and curriculum-linked programmes for a wide range of audiences.  

• Create and maintain engaging learning resources.

• Day-to-day administration and organisation of educational visits and outreach.

• Support, train, and develop volunteers.  

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, risk management and health and safety policies.   

Engagement and Outreach 

• Broaden Museum engagement through outreach and activities for local community and wider regional groups.  

• Build and maintain relationships with educational organisations, promoting visits and tailoring experiences.  

Essential 

• An excellent understanding of STEM principles and their application in educational contexts  

• Experience of museum learning  

• A practical, enthusiastic, hands-on approach  

• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills  

• Ability to work effectively as part of a close-knit team  

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to plan, adapt, and meet deadlines  

• Experience leading a team of learning professionals and volunteers  

• Experience developing learning sessions for all ages  

• Experience engaging with teachers, community groups, families, and young people  

Desirable 

• Experience of delivering grant funded programmes

• Experience delivering outreach activities  

• Awareness of current trends in museum education

• Experience of working with volunteers  

• Salary: £30,000 to £32,500 per annum dependent on experience

• Contract: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with occasional weekend working to support the Duty Manager rota

• Location: Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7LH, just minutes off the A303, the main trunk road to the South West

• 29 days holiday, increasing with service  

• An extra day off for your birthday  

• Free on-site parking  

• Staff discounts in the café and gift shop  

• Free entry to the Museum for you and your family  

• Ongoing training and development 

• Pension

Please submit your application and any enquiries to Natalie Mackay at [email protected]. 

Please enclose a CV along with a covering letter (no longer than 2 pages) explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability – and your passion – for this role.  

Applications and interviews are being shortlisted on a rolling basis, so get in touch ASAP to avoid disappointment.  

We will have a two-stage interview process. The second interview stage includes a trial shift as well as meeting the wider Museum and Cafe team. 

We understand that no one fits the job description perfectly, and that people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box. But we are eager to learn how you your unique talents, strengths and skills can contribute to our goals. Please go ahead and apply, you may be exactly who we are looking for.  

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Haynes Motor Museum is an Arts Council England accredited museum, a registered charity, one of the leading museums and visitor attractions in the South West, and home to the UK’s largest exhibition of cars and motorbikes dating from the present day back to 1898. We welcome over 125,000 visitors annually.

Our Vision

A future where everyone, regardless of age, background, or ability, can explore, understand, and be inspired by the engineering, technology, and design that shape our world.

Our Mission

To fuel a passion for motoring past, present and future, and transform that passion into a lifelong curiosity for how things work.

Our Charitable Objectives

To conserve our collection and use it to bring automotive heritage to life by exploring how things work, integrating engineering innovation with history and human stories. Through the lens of motoring, we aim to grow meaningful engagement with STEM to inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators and problem-solvers.

Other Business Activity

In support of the Charity, the Museum also operates a Trading Company which comprises:

• Haynes Heritage Engineering, a commercial classic and modern classic car workshop, MOT facility and restoration centre
• Conference Department, state-of-the-art conference facilities hosting corporate and private events
• Events, including monthly Breakfast Club car meets, summer evening events, autojumbles and the John Haynes Classic Car Show
• Café 750, the Museum’s in-house grab-and-go café