Executive Director (consultancy)
Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Executive Director to lead The Historic Towns and Villages Forum (HTVF) on a consultancy basis at a pivotal moment as the organisation looks towards its future. We seek a strategic, personable and visionary leader to work closely with the Board of Trustees and oversee the organisation’s operations. You will develop an ambitious and sustainable business model to fulfil the Forum’s charitable objects moving forward. As the figurehead for the organisation, you will demonstrate excellent leadership skills, financial acumen and commitment to promoting the social, economic and environmental value of our historic built environment in the twenty-first century.
About HTVF
The HTVF is a UK-based membership body and, since 2024, a registered charity. The Forum has promoted and facilitated constructive debate and good practice among all those engaged in managing and protecting historic towns, cities and villages since 1987. The Forum provides support, training and guidance to organisations (local authorities, town and parish councils, civic and amenity societies, and businesses) and individual professionals, students, and members of the public. Our mission is to help all interests to work together to conserve the character and significance of historic places, while realising their full social and economic potential.
The Forum has a longstanding mutual relationship with the Herbert Lane Trust (HLT), an Oxfordshire-based body supporting local councils and amenity societies with which it shares many common objectives. At present the HLT support of the HTVF is our principal source of income.
About the Role
As Executive Director you will bring visionary and strategic leadership to champion and advance HTVF’s mission, increase its visibility and forge cross-sector relationships to sustain its mission and impact. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will oversee the HTVF’s operations and programme of activities and events, ensuring strong governance, financial planning and operational competence. Bringing inspirational leadership, you will have broad knowledge of and credibility within our sector. You will be responsible for securing further financial support; identifying opportunities and priorities for active engagement with our stakeholders; and championing our mission through publications, research, events, stakeholder engagement and professional practice. You will lead and sustain strategic relationships across the heritage and policy sectors to raise our profile. You will collaborate with the Board to reinforce our reputation and reach by sharing best practice among our members and wider network.
Responsibilities
You will:
• Provide visionary and strategic leadership to fulfil HTVF’s charitable purpose and objects
• Work with the Board to ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance and sound operational and financial management
• Oversee the design, development and delivery of a distinctive, relevant and revenue-generating programme of events
• Implement a communications strategy to ensure efficient information sharing, engaging content, coherent branding and maximum reach and impact
• Uphold the HTVF’s reputation as a trusted source of information within the sector
• Manage and grow our membership, and enhance our membership offer
• Secure and diversify income
• Represent HTVF externally to build strategic, cross-sector partnerships and promote and champion our mission, activities and impact
• Provide or procure strong administrative support to achieve the above
Essential criteria
● Substantial experience of strategic leadership and organisational change.
● Experience in event management, including overseeing successful event programmes and activities responding to organisational and audience needs.
● A collaborative outlook towards building and managing cross-stakeholder and strategically-aligned relationships.
● Able to apply strategic thinking across heritage, research, policy and charitable contexts.
● Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
● Strong business and financial acumen.
● An understanding of the complex challenges facing the historic built environment and a commitment to championing its rich potential as a catalyst for place-based regeneration and growth.
Desirable criteria
• Experience of working within the heritage and/or third sector
• Experience of undertaking and commissioning research
• Membership of relevant professional bodies
Terms and Conditions of the Appointment
Salary: c.£20kpa for two days per week for 48 weeks pa. (c£50k pa fte)
The successful candidate will be expected to spend an average of two days per week managing the HTVF and its administration.
The appointment will be a consultancy agreement. This will be for a three-year period, subject to an initial review of performance after six months, and renewable by mutual agreement. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates. A share of any surplus on event income will be considered.
HTVF’s registered office and email address is at Kellogg College in Oxford, where we can host events, but our vision is to sustain and extend our national reach. The Executive Director role requires remote working, and some out of office hours work. Prospective candidates are welcome to discuss flexible working arrangements informally with the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
To Apply
Applications should be submitted in the form of a written proposal addressed to Steven Bee, Chair of Trustees at htf@kellogg.ox.ac.uk and include:
● A cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) outlining how you meet the person specification above
● A full CV
● Details of any sub-contracted support proposed (e.g. for administration or communications support)
For an informal and confidential conversation, please contact:
Steven Bee, Chair of the Board of Trustees: htf@kellogg.ox.ac.uk
Timeline
Application Deadline: 5pm on Monday 26th October 2026
First-Stage Interviews: to be held online in w/c Monday 16th November 2026
Second-stage interviews: to be held in person at Kellogg College, Oxford. Date: tbc.
Historic Towns & Villages Forum, Kellogg College, 60-62 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PN T:
01865 612033 E: htf@kellogg.ox.ac.uk www.htvf.org
