Advertised from 17 June 2025

Role

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support a sector of 449 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, workforce development, advice and advocacy. We are a forward facing and inclusive organisation, committed to the ongoing development of a positive culture for our team.

We are recruiting for a Skills Development Manager who encourages good practice and drives continuous improvement in skills development and promotes a culture of learning and development within the sector.

The Skills Development Manager is a key interface between MGS and the sector, building rich and valuable networks and delivering a wide range of skills development programmes and activities for the benefit of the sector. The Skills Development Manager develops and manages partnerships with key stakeholders across the heritage landscape that maximise the quality of our products and programme delivery.

A core focus of this role is the development , delivery and evaluation of all our workforce development programmes. This will involve coordinating and codesigning with the Museums and Galleries sector, existing partners and exploring new partnership opportunities.

The post holder is joining MGS as we launch an exciting new programme aimed at building sector resilience, exploring new delivery models and facilitating more entrepreneurial approaches. Part of the role will be developing skills development activity in relation to this programme in collaboration with colleagues from across MGS teams.

A skilled communicator who is self-motivated, shows initiative and builds strong and effective relationships, the Skills Development Manager continually seeks out opportunities and more agile ways of working to develop content and enhance the MGS skills offer.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Act as an interface between MGS, the museums and galleries sector and key stakeholders on skills development 
• Support the delivery of all accredited and non accredited learning opportunities across MGS’s service provision 
• Work with the sector to deliver skills development priorities and embed a culture of learning and development 
• Maintain an overview of the skills and knowledge needs for the museum sector and create, identify, develop and evaluate programmes and opportunities to meet these needs 
• Manage the development, delivery and evaluation of a marketable schedule of training courses and programmes; and assist colleagues to deliver subject-specific workshops 
• Contribute to research and development work carried out by sector-relevant organisations 
• Budget holder responsibilities – involved in both planning and management 
• Support MGS to deliver the Workforce strand of the National Strategy 
• Stakeholder relationship management

The above mentioned tasks and responsibilities constitute an overview and not an exhaustive list. Workload and priorities are ultimately determined by the annual MGS Operational Plan.

Relationships

• Build and nurture effective working relationships across the organisation and with external partners 
• Collaborate with other staff to support and deliver MGS projects, programmes and the National Strategy 
• Contribute to the organisation’s expertise in the sector by sharing knowledge, information and good practice. 
• Work fairly and with integrity and adapt style to different people, cultures and situation

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of developing, delivering and managing a wide range of skills development programmes with defined learning outcomes, to a diverse range of learners 
• Working knowledge of Scottish Government skills priorities and wider skills landscape 
• Experience of composing bid applications and procurement documents 
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills including good presentation, influencing and facilitation skills 
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate 
• Microsoft Office

Preferred 

• Knowledge of the museums and galleries sector in Scotland 
• Experience of evaluating training programmes and identifying areas for improvement 
• Experience of working with vocational and accredited qualifications 
• Confident speaking in public and hosting meetings online and in person 
• Advocates for lifelong learning and professional development 
• Experience of working with volunteers

We work with staff to help everyone reach their potential in the workplace and welcome conversations with individuals about their needs, circumstances and aspirations.

HOW YOU WORK

MGS has a behavioural competency framework which describes how we expect people to go about their work day-to-day. Staff must demonstrate the following skills areas at an appropriate level:

• Works collaboratively 
• Communicating with impact 
• Respect, inclusion and integrity 
• Effective decision-making 
• Sector focus 
• Drive for results 
• Innovation, agility and building capability

All staff are expected to champion and help deliver MGS’s commitments to anti-racism and climate.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Travel – regionally is required. Approx. 40 days per year.

Application notes

For further information and to apply, please visit our website.

Closing date: 15th July at 9am