Site Lead

About Us

The John Clare Trust is a registered charity dedicated to preserving and celebrating the life and legacy of John Clare, poet and early environmentalist. Established in 2005, the Trust was created to preserve and restore Clare’s historic cottage in Helpston, Cambridgeshire, ensuring that this nationally significant house remains an engaging and accessible place for visitors to discover his remarkable life and work.

Today, the site operates as a museum, café and gardens, welcoming visitors from across the UK and beyond to explore Clare’s poetry, his deep connection with the natural world and his enduring legacy.

Following a somewhat fallow period and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trust has, over the last year, substantially extended its opening days and hours, resulting in a welcome increase in visitor numbers and earned income. Under the leadership of our new CEO, we are continuing to build on this momentum, developing Clare Cottage as a thriving heritage destination, cultural venue and community hub.

The Role

Following the departure of one of our Site Leads to a full-time heritage role, we are seeking an additional Site Lead to join our team and help oversee the day-to-day management of Clare Cottage, the historic home of poet and early environmentalist John Clare. You will work as part of a team of three Site Leads, sharing responsibility for ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the site.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with an interest in developing museum practice and collections care. This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience across all aspects of running a small independent museum and heritage attraction, making it an ideal first step for someone considering a career in heritage management, museums or the wider cultural sector. The flexible nature of the position means it can be combined with study, work or family commitments.

Over the coming months, we will be developing a refreshed interpretive vision for Clare Cottage, exploring new ways to tell John Clare’s story and engage visitors with his life, work and legacy. We hope the successful candidate will play an active part in shaping this work.

As the lead presence on site during your shifts, you will actively engage with visitors to ensure they have the most positive, welcoming and informative experience possible, while supporting our volunteers. You will play a key role in bringing John Clare’s remarkable story to life, helping visitors connect with his poetry, his love of nature and the unique heritage of Clare Cottage.

You will work an average of between one and two days a week, with additional hours available to support school visits, workshops, public events and other activities throughout the year.

Salary

£14 an hour

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

• Keen to build and develop their skills in museum care and collections management.
• Confident, proactive and dependable, capable of independently overseeing the operational aspects of the site to ensure its efficient functioning.
• Skilled in interpersonal relations, able to cultivate a warm and inviting environment for all visitors and a supportive environment for volunteers.
• Enthusiastic about John Clare and his contributions, with a keen interest in one or more of the following areas: environmentalism, rural or working class history, poetry, the broader arts, mental health and well-being.

Why Join Us?

John Clare’s profound connection to the natural world and his legacy as one of England’s earliest environmental voices resonate now more than ever, offering a unique opportunity to engage new audiences with his life and work. As a Site Lead, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the day-to-day visitor experience reflects Clare’s enduring legacy, helping every visitor leave with a deeper understanding of his poetry, his story and his remarkable relationship with nature.

Joining our small, dedicated team means you’ll have the opportunity to make a genuine contribution not only to the day-to-day running of the site, but also to its continued growth and long-term success.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter no longer than two sides of A4 detailing your suitability for the role to keiraharvey Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with a closing date of 9 am, Monday 31st August 2026.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from under represented groups.

Pay: £14.00 per hour

Work Location: In person