Project Manager IWM Duxford Masterplan (Mat Cover)

Project Manager IWM Duxford Masterplan (Mat Cover)

Opportunity ID

696

Location

IWM Duxford

Career Level

E

Salary

£38,000 to £42,000 per annum

Hours

36

Department

Masterplanning

Position type

Fixed Term

Length of employment

12 Months

Job Summary

What It's Like to Work Here

At IWM, we're driven by a shared purpose: helping people understand conflict and its impact on people's lives. At IWM Duxford, one of Europe's most significant historic aviation sites, you'll join a passionate and collaborative team working to transform how visitors experience our collections, exhibitions and stories.

This is an exciting time to join. Over the coming years, major investment across the site will deliver new exhibitions, experiences and facilities, helping more people connect with the extraordinary history preserved at Duxford.

Why This Role Matters

Over the next decade, IWM Duxford will undergo a major transformation, delivering new visitor experiences, exhibitions and facilities that will redefine how audiences engage with this historic site. This ambitious programme will create a more welcoming, accessible and immersive destination, enabling visitors to connect more deeply with the stories of the people who lived, worked and served here. At the heart of the transformation is a commitment to conserving, caring for and showcasing IWM's internationally significant collections and historic estate, ensuring their preservation and relevance for future generations.

2027 will be a pivotal year for the Transforming IWM Duxford Masterplan. The Digital Zone (Home of the Spitfire), the latest major visitor experience to be delivered on site, will reach completion, with activity focused on launch preparation, public opening and successful integration into day-to-day operations.

Subject to a positive decision on the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Delivery Phase application, expected in September 2026, the Second World War exhibition project will move into full delivery from November 2026 through to May 2028, as a key component of the wider transformation programme running until January 2031.

At the same time, the new Cold War and 21st Century display in Hangar 1 will enter a critical concept development phase, providing the opportunity to contribute to the early stages of exhibition planning, interpretation and design.

This role will help keep these key projects moving forward during a pivotal period. You'll coordinate activities across multiple workstreams, support programme reporting and governance, manage stakeholders and help ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required standards. Your work will directly contribute to creating engaging experiences for visitors while helping preserve and showcase nationally significant collections.

What You'll Be Doing

• Support delivery of major masterplan projects, including the Digital Zone (Home of the Spitfire), the Second World War exhibition project and the Cold War & 21st Century exhibition development.
• Coordinate project activities, reporting, governance documentation, risks, issues and project plans.
• Work with colleagues, contractors and specialist suppliers to support exhibition installations, collection moves and site improvement projects.
• Manage project documentation, schedules, action logs and financial tracking information.
• Produce clear and accurate reports that support decision-making and programme oversight.
• Help monitor project budgets, forecasts and procurement activity.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues across Collections Care, Estates, Exhibitions and other teams.
• Support stakeholder engagement, project meetings and communications across the programme.

What We're Looking For

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience supporting, coordinating or delivering projects or programmes.
• Strong reporting, planning and organisational skills.
• Experience working within governance, operational, programme or project environments.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and keep activities moving forward.
• Confidence identifying and managing risks, issues and dependencies.
• Experience tracking budgets, costs or financial information.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• The confidence to work autonomously while knowing when to seek support or escalate issues.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

How You'll Work

You'll work closely with the Head of Masterplan, project managers and colleagues across IWM Duxford. The role brings together teams from Collections Care, Estates, Exhibitions, Operations and external partners to help deliver complex and high-profile projects.

Success depends on collaboration, clear communication and building strong working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders. You'll have the opportunity to learn from experienced project professionals while taking ownership of meaningful pieces of work.

What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)

• Successfully support the completion and launch of the Digital Zone (Home of the Spitfire) visitor experience.
• Become a key coordinator for the Large Object Moves programme and associated exhibition activity.
• Develop strong working relationships with stakeholders across the Duxford site.
• Deliver accurate project reporting, risk management and governance information.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of the Second World War exhibition project.
• Support development work for the future Cold War & 21st Century exhibition.
• Establish yourself as a trusted and collaborative member of the Masterplan team.

For a full list of duties and the person specification (which your application will be marked against) please view the Job Description.

Job Summary (File)

Application closing date


August 30th 2026, 11:55 PM

Interview Details


Interviews for this post are planned for 14/09/2026

Benefits

The benefits listed below are discretionary and IWM reserves the right, with due notice, to vary or withdraw them at any time. All such benefits apply during the course of your employment only.

• Annual Leave: You'll have 25 days of annual leave, with public holidays on top. After 3 years, this increases to 27 days and after 5 years, you'll get 30 days

• Company Group Pension Plan: Our commitment to your financial well-being includes competitive employer contributions to your pension starting at 7% to a maximum of 12%.

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Benefits: Celebrate life's milestones with confidence, knowing that our policies support growing families.

• IWM4me: Tailor your benefits to your unique needs through IWM4me. Access health, protection, and lifestyle benefits at corporate rates, ensuring your holistic well-being.

• Free Sanitary Products: We prioritise your comfort by providing free sanitary products across all our sites.

• Retail Discounts: 25% off IWM Cafes, 20% discount in on-site shops, Benefits hub offering retail discounts to several high street shops (via our EAP provider) and MyActive discounts for health and wellbeing based retail discounts (via IWM4me)

• Free Entry to IWM Air Shows: Witness the thrill of vintage aircraft at our air shows.

• Free Entry to Partner Museums & Galleries: Immerse yourself in art, history, and culture through our reciprocal arrangements with other institutions.

• In-House Training Programmes: Fuel your intellectual curiosity and professional growth through our comprehensive training initiatives.

• Season Ticket Loan Scheme: Simplify your daily commute with our interest-free loan program.

• Cycle 2 Work & Cycle Hire : Promote well-being and environmental consciousness by cycling to work.

• Eye Tests: Money back up to £80 for an eye test and a new pair of glasses.

• Employee Assistance Programme: Access confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.

• Benenden Healthcare & Dental Insurance: Prioritise your health with access to quality healthcare services (subject to terms and conditions).

• Civil Service Sports Club Membership: Opportunity to join and enjoy additional discounts and perks as part of a vibrant community.

• Staff Events and Networks: Join fellow colleagues in social gatherings and events, fostering camaraderie and shared experiences.

...and more!

Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Apply now and become part of IWM!

Disclosure and Barring Service Check


This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. This role is subject to:

A basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.

Equal Opportunities and Flexible Working


IWM is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities.

We miss out when people feel IWM isn't for them, and are committed to removing and reducing barriers to make IWM open to everyone.

Our Access and Inclusion strategy has been developed to promote openness, equal opportunities to access, inclusivity and encourage diversity in everything that we do, from employment practices, the services we provide to our visitors to the facilities we make available to public.

At IWM we seek to address the need for greater diversity within our workforce as well as the wider museum and heritage sector. In all our practices we embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity and we welcome applications from suitable candidates of all backgrounds.

We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you please raise this with your recruitment contact, as we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process.