4207 - Collections and Castle Manager

Cadws mission is to care for Wales historic places, inspiring current and future generations. As part of this mission, we care for a nationally important collection of monuments, including Castell Coch, a site of international significance renowned for its richly decorated interiors, which stand apart from the roofless ruins typical of other sites.

This role is central to delivering Cadws conservation objectives, most significantly at Castell Coch. The postholder will lead the strategic care and conservation of the sites unique interiors and collections, which include wall paintings, wallpaper, textiles, furniture, stained glass and other heritage assets. To ensure that these collections are cared for, the post holder will utilise effective conservation planning, environmental monitoring, research, cleaning, and storage while still enabling meaningful public access. This role will ensure that heritage is experienced as living and relevant, presenting collections and interiors in ways that resonate with todays audiences and celebrating their significance.

In tandem with caring for the site and its collections, the post holder will also oversee visitor operations at Castell Coch and Caerphilly Castle, ensuring high-quality visitor experience that aligns with Cadws conservation priorities. The postholder will line manage the Head Custodian and support them to ensure that the site team of staff and volunteers are well managed and high functioning. In this capacity, the post holder will also work collaboratively with Cadws conservation and capital project teams to support any development activity planned at either monument.

Beyond site-specific responsibilities, the role also contributes to Cadws wider strategic goals by advising on collections care, practical conservation, loans and collections acquisition and disposal across the estate and shaping collections management policy and practice.

• Develop and implement long-term conservation plans for Castell Coch and its collections.
• Ensure preventive and remedial conservation practices are put in place.
• Maintain and enhance documentation for interiors and collections including, but not limited to, a comprehensive asset list and salvage plan.
• Conduct research as needed, condition check collection items and employ conservation measures as needed.
• Design and deliver remedial treatment plans.
• Integrate conservation with presentation and live visitor experience.
• Manage the Head Custodian and oversee site operations and visitor experience, balancing conservation with public access.
• Develop and deliver training plans for conservation practices.
• Advising on collections care, loans and collections acquisition and disposal across the estate and shaping collections management policy and practice (there is limited collection across the rest of Cadw).