Current vacancies

Chair of the Board of Trustees

We are searching for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees for the American Museum & Gardens (AM&G) who’ll provide strategic leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees. We’re looking for someone who will help us achieve our mission to educate, stimulate, and inspire our visitors to further the understanding of American history and culture.

We’re in a period significant growth with a key focus on achieving financial sustainability. Building on successes of the past several years, the new Chair will be instrumental in supporting our continued growth including ambitious capital plans to further develop our historic rooms, displays of decorative art and folk-art collections, temporary exhibitions and learning programmes. They will also bring an in-depth understanding of the importance of good governance for our future success.

The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees of The American Museum & Gardens. The Chair will hold the Board and the Director to account for AM&G’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring each Trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of AM&G.

The Chair will ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations and to make sure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

The Chair’s role is also to monitor and, where appropriate, challenge the leadership of AM&G, ensuring that the Board functions as a unit and works closely to achieve agreed objectives. The person appointed will work in partnership with the Trustees, Director and Leadership Team to support AM&G’s employees and volunteers, optimising the relationship between the Board of Trustees and the team.

The new Chair will be responsible for leading the recruitment of a new Director to ensure a smooth succession when the incumbent (as Executive Chair, and always envisaged as a relatively short-term appointment) steps down at the end of 2025.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet requirements of the role, together with a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to [email protected] or by post to The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD. Please email as above if you require any further information. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 31 December 2024 at 5pm.

Head Gardener

Full job description

The Head Gardener will be responsible for the development and stewardship of our Gardens and Estate. Set within 125 acres, the formal gardens feature designs by famous American landscape architectural firm Oehme Van Sweden (OvS). They represent some of the most iconic movements in American landscape design outside of the USA. Our open public gardens are unique in the United Kingdom for blending American prairie style planting with a modern, naturalistic approach. “The New American Garden” style, incorporates grasses, perennials, and natural forms to create flowing landscapes that mimic nature while still being clearly designed spaces.

Leading a team of gardeners and volunteers, the Head Gardener will develop and deliver a strategy for ensuring the gardens remain true to their original OvS design. The Head Gardener will ensure that the gardens are always developed and maintained to the highest possible standards, including establishing a clear long-term strategy and management plan for the gardens and providing ongoing support, training, and guidance for the team. The Head Gardener will sit on the Leadership Team and will report weekly on operational matters and assist with the future decisions and development of the Museum.
While providing leadership and direction for the entire team, the new Head Gardener will also co-lead on the delivery of the American Museum’s Woodland Management Plan, its Tree Management Plan, and its Parkland Management Plan alongside the Head of Estates. The Head Gardener will help ensure these spaces are safe for the public to visit and work with teams across AM&G around any future development plans.

Working with the Head of Estates, the Head Gardener will assist in the delivery of the Climate Justice and Responsibility Taskforce advancing sustainable practices through the Estate and will spearhead new initiatives in the gardens and grounds to help reduce our carbon footprint. Driving impactful change to promote sustainable gardening practices, water conservation and biodiversity and eco-system support.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet requirements of the role, together with a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to [email protected] or by post to Matt Amos The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD.
Closing date for applications: 24 November 2024