Painshill Park is a magnificent Grade 1 listed eighteenth-century Georgian landscape garden in Cobham, Surrey. It is a national and international treasure, and has the privilege of The King as its Patron. Spanning 158 acres, this garden was a pioneer in the naturalistic style and was celebrated as one of the finest landscape gardens in Europe, rivalling contemporaries like Stourhead and Stowe. Designed by Charles Hamilton, Painshill is a testament to his artistic vision, blending views, architecture, and planting.

By the mid-twentieth century, Painshill had fallen into dereliction. The Painshill Park Trust was established in 1981 to restore the garden and its follies to their former glory, supported by grants from the HLF, Trusts and Foundations, and other benefactors. Over the past 40 years, the park has been meticulously restored according to Hamilton’s vision, transforming it into a cherished destination.

Today, Painshill is entering an exciting new phase of conservation and renewal. With visitor numbers rising from around 90,000 to over 200,000 since Covid, the park faces challenges such as maintaining structures nearly 300 years old, managing the growing landscape, and upgrading visitor facilities. Additionally, long-term threats like climate change require costly mitigation efforts. As a small independent charity funded almost entirely by visitors, careful financial management and effective fundraising are crucial for future projects outlined in the revised Masterplan.

The Role:

The Director of Painshill is responsible for all aspects of the charity, working with the Board of Trustees and its Sub-Committees to shape the direction, strategy, structure, and administration of all areas of the Trust’s work. The main responsibilities include:

• Leadership & Strategy: Provide strategic and operational leadership, shaping the direction, strategy, and administration of the Trust.
• Representation & Relationships: Act as the senior spokesperson, nurturing relationships with funders, volunteers, supporters, and strategic partners.
• Management & Operations: Oversee staff, volunteers, and resources, ensuring effective management of the 158-acre site and implementation of the Masterplan.
• ·     Fundraising & Financial Health: Develop and implement fundraising and income-generating strategies to secure long-term financial stability.
• Commercial Development: Enhance the Trust’s commercial potential through catering, retail, events, and other activities aligned with its mission.
• Compliance & Ethics: Ensure legal compliance, risk management, and uphold high ethical standards, working with the Head of Finance and Trustees.

The Candidate:

Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following skills and attributes:

• Proven leadership experience in complex organisations, with strong strategic and operational skills.
• Excellent people management and communication skills, capable of acting as an effective ambassador.
• Experience in developing organisational structures that empower staff while maintaining control and oversight.
• Demonstrable experience in managing volunteers and leading by example.
• Strong commitment to visitor experience and innovative thinking for income generation.
• Financial acumen, including fundraising success and understanding of income-generating activities.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

William Pringle

Partner, Head of Charity, Arts, Culture & Heritage Practice

Berwick Partners

+44 (0) 7515 919 648

William.Pringle@berwickpartners.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Friday 22nd November 2024