Short Description

The Cartoon Museum is looking for a new Director!
As the Director, you will bring charismatic leadership, strong business management, clear strategic planning and a passion for taking cartoons, comics and caricature to the widest possible audience. You will share our vision, champion our mission, and be committed to supporting the Museum as a place of cultural excellence and witty social commentary.
The Cartoon Museum has a nationally important collection of original British cartoon art, comics and caricatures including historical and contemporary work and a library of 14,000 books, comics and graphic novels. With an in-house curator and a small team of staff and volunteers the Museum has established itself as the pre-eminent organisation in the UK for collecting, conserving and celebrating Britain’s heritage in cartoon art.
We create a diverse range of vibrant exhibitions, run a well-established learning programme engaging up to 3,000 pupils a year, and have an award-winning autism programme. Along with the British Cartoonists Association, the Museum hosts the annual Young Cartoonists Awards and the Young Comics Maestro Award with the active support of contemporary cartoonists.
The Museum generates revenue from admission charges, the Museum shop and via fundraising from charitable trusts, individual and corporate donors. We have previously received very welcome grants from the John Lyon’s Charity and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the new Director will have a key role in maintaining financial sustainability through income generation and fundraising.
We are looking for an exceptional, enthusiastic and energetic Director, with strong, relevant experience of working in the museum or cultural sector. You will have the skills needed to lead the organisation, manage the budget, develop commercial opportunities and cultivate relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You must have a proven track record of successful team management, and a genuine interest in the collections and objectives of the Cartoon Museum.

Job Description

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Chair of Trustees, on behalf of the Board of Trustees
LOCATION: London W1A 3AE, or elsewhere in London as required
SALARY: £46,000
HOURS: Full-time (37.5 hours a week). This role requires flexibility around the needs of the charity and will include some weekend and evening working.
PENSION: Nest

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic planning: work with the Trustees to develop the Museum’s strategic and business plans, including commercial, fundraising, curatorial, and educational plans and budgets to secure, sustain and develop the Cartoon Museum, deliver excellent visitor experience and maximise public benefit.
Leadership and delivery: lead, manage, motivate and develop the Museum’s team of staff and volunteers to deliver the Museum’s plans, and ensure the Museum’s offer, exhibitions and programming are exciting, inclusive and popular.
Advocacy and profile: to initiate, manage and develop key partnerships, to represent the Cartoon Museum with stakeholders, to raise the profile of the organisation and inspire others through strong communication and advocacy of the vision and mission Financial sustainability: to identify, build and nurture relationships with funders, donors and commercial partners; to lead on fundraising and marketing initiatives; to ensure that the Museum is maximising opportunities for income generation.
Governance and risk: to work with the Trustees to ensure the Museum has strong ethical governance, and manages risk, compliance and health and safety.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic planning

  • Provide ideas, information and analysis to support Trustees in the Museum’s strategic planning process.
  • Lead on the development of departmental and functional plans, including relevant KPIs and performance monitoring, in support of Museum strategy and excellence in visitor experience.
  • Identify, develop and maintain strategic partnerships (eg with other organisations such as the British Cartoonist Association, and the Association of Illustrators).
  • Communicate the strategic plan and gain the commitment of staff, volunteers and key stakeholders.
  • Report to Trustees on delivery of the strategic plan; review the plan regularly.
  • In conjunction with the Treasurer, prepare budgets, forecasts and financial plans for approval by Trustees .
    Leadership and delivery
    Visitor experience and curatorial standards
  • Ensure the Museum is welcoming to all: deliver the best possible experience, in support of the Museum’s vision and mission, for all visitors, customers and participants in programmes and events.
  • Ensure educational programmes are well designed, regularly reviewed and deliver appropriate learning outcomes.
  • Ensure high standards are adhered to in all curatorial and Museum practices in accord with up to date legislation and good practice.
    Staff and volunteers
  • Lead and inspire the staff and volunteer team by creating a high-performance culture which fosters individual commitment, enthusiasm and confidence, and insures effective teamwork and communication.
  • Role model behaviours of accountability, teamwork, innovation and trust.
  • Provide direction and support to all staff and functions (curatorial, audience development, exhibitions, conservation, learning, participation etc.), ensuring the team is delivering the strategic plan.
  • Deliver a performance appraisal policy and process.
  • Advise Trustees on the appropriate staffing (paid employees & volunteering) required to deliver agreed initiatives.
  • Embed a culture of continuous learning and development.
    Advocacy and profile
  • Act as spokesperson and key advocate for the Cartoon Museum.
  • Raise the profile of the Museum through public appearances using all appropriate media, and in particular social media.
  • Represent the Museum in the wider cultural environment and heritage sector.
  • Develop beneficial relationships with funders, potential funders and other stakeholders.

Financial sustainability

Financial management and income generation

  • Develop existing revenue streams (admissions, shop, venue hire, etc.) to ensure maximum financial return in line with the Museum’s brand and vision.
  • Identify, assess and develop new commercial opportunities.
  • Develop commercial and beneficial partnerships to generate revenue, eg from venue hire, sponsorship and other appropriate activities.
  • Monitor financial performance, and in conjunction with the Accountant and the Treasurer, producing monthly management accounts and other reports as appropriate for Trustees
  • Ensure expenditure is managed and controlled; maximise value for money.

Governance and risk

  • Maintain ethical standards of behaviour.
  • Attend Trustee and Board Committee meetings; prepare and present reports for Trustees’ meetings.
  • Prepare information for annual reports, impact reports, etc.
  • Ensure data is managed safely and securely and in line with data protection requirements. Take steps to assess and address cyber security risk.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Genuine interest in and commitment to the Cartoon Museum’s goals and values, including appreciation of its collection and the art/heritage sector.
  • Experience of working in customer/visitor-focused organisations and of assessing and responding to the needs of the audience.
  • Strong leadership and management skills, preferably with experience of managing teams including volunteers.
  • Experience of strategic planning processes and operational delivery; able to develop visitor-focused strategies that enhance engagement, education and inclusion.
  • Able to manage, monitor and report on significant and complex budgets.
  • Strong commercial awareness and ability to develop profitable businesses/income streams.
  • Proven track record of successful fundraising and developing beneficial partnerships.
  • Strong networking and stakeholder relationship management skills.
  • High level problem solving and innovation.
  • Excellent project management skills and experience.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to write clearly and concisely including text for publications, exhibitions and funding applications.
  • Educated to degree or equivalent qualification.
  • Able to deliver strong governance, risk management, safeguarding, and health and safety compliance, with experience collaborating effectively with Trustees, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.


How to Apply

To apply please send a CV and a short covering letter to chair@cartoonmuseum.org

Entry Fee

None

Location

London, United Kingdom

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 4 September 2025

Website Link: https://www.cartoonmuseum.org/staff

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