The Organisation
Dundee Science Centre first opened its doors in July 2000, as a visitor attraction for young families and based on the science of the five senses. Over the past 18 years, the exhibition and programme content has expanded significantly to now include a variety of topics and skills within science and technology. The centre’s educational remit has grown and Dundee Science Centre has become well established as a science education resource for schools and Further/Higher Education. In parallel to this, our community outreach programme, festivals and community-led projects have significantly evolved over the years, and Dundee Science Centre is now well recognised in the sector as a leader in widening access to science for ‘hard to reach’ audiences.
Our role in society is to:
- provide an exciting science-based visitor experience
- be a key resource to encourage and support lifelong learning
- bring scientific excellence and local research into the public knowledge
- promote science as part of the cultural mix of the local region
We currently engage over 80,000 people per annum – over 65,000 people through in-centre visits, over 15,000 people through outreach activity and science festivals.
- We provide exhibitions and public programmes for the local community and visiting tourists wishing to engage in leisure, cultural and social pursuits.
- We support Curriculum for Excellence - providing learning opportunities for 10,000 children and young people each year and providing professional learning support for teaching practitioners.
- We provide communication training for scientists and facilitate public engagement with scientific research and careers, by working closely with academia, research institutes and industry.
- We provide widening access initiatives for underserved audiences, including tailored and subsidised programmes for those who are socially-economically deprived, unemployed or have additional support needs.
- We support local businesses and partners (within and beyond the science sector) by hosting their meetings, events and team building activities.
2018 was a landmark year in Dundee Science Centre’s journey, as 2018 saw the opening of our new Medical Marvels exhibition and Science Learning Suite, which were several years in the making. The new exhibition, seminar room, classroom and offices were built through a £2.1 million capital investment programme which has doubled the first floor footprint of the science centre as part of a mezzanine extension.
Our 2019-2022 strategy focuses on driving forward our ambitious plans to be a five star visitor attraction, accessible community hub and lifelong learning resource for Tayside & Fife. While we will continue to expand our outreach work and learning programmes, there will be a focus on reimagining and upgrading the ground-floor facilities and integrating widening access into everything we do. Central to this will be delivery of our £2 million CONNECT project over the next two years.
Once CONNECT is complete in March 2021, we will have upgraded almost the entire science centre within the space of three years. The recent opening of V&A Dundee and increased tourists to the city also presents a hugely exciting opportunity for our future growth. We will capitalise on these opportunities by raising our profile within the many sectors in which we work and ensuring Dundee Science Centre is positioned as an integral part of Dundee’s exciting Waterfront transformation and city regeneration.
Further information on CONNECT can be found by CLICKING HERE
The Role
Due to Maternity Leave, Dundee Science Centre is looking to appoint an interim Chief Executive to oversee the Centres activities for circa 15 months.
Central to the 2019-2022 strategy will be delivery of the CONNECT project over the next two years, part of which will be realised by this interim CEO post holder through leading completion of the fundraising campaign, detailed designs and appointment of contractors for the works. In addition to driving forward the CONNECT project, a key focus of the Interim CEO post will also be to raise the profile of the science centre and its existing provision for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
This is a pivotal time in the Centre's development and the interim CEO role will present both an excellent opportunity to influence a major charitable organisation and offer a good challenge to the successful applicant. It is a rare opportunity to help steer the course of a successful and high profile Dundee attraction, at a time when the city itself is seeing a resurgence.
To be successful, applicants will have strong experience at a senior management / leadership level in a similar organisational environment, be qualified to Degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject area such as Science, Education or management, have working knowledge of Science Centres or Learning Attractions, knowledge and understanding of formal learning provisions and have strong leadership and budget management skills.
They will also have a demonstrable and successful track record of securing external funding through grants and sponsorship and implementing capital investment effectively, especially within an education / science context, have demonstrable and diverse networks across the scientific, cultural and business community, and demonstrable experience of raising the profile of an organisation and attracting stakeholders.
Further information can be found by viewing the following:
Enquiries
For a confidential discussion please contact Steven Murray or Donogh O’Brien on 0141 212 7555.
How to Apply
Please provide the following:
- An up to date CV
- A covering letter
- Details of two referees – these will not be contacted without your permission.
To submit your application please CLICK HERE
Please note that you will receive an automatic acknowledgement of your application - if you do not receive this please contact Katy Gall on 0141 212 7555.
Process
Closing date for applications: Monday 8th April 2019
Interviews: Monday 2nd May 2019
Preferred start date: Monday 10th June 2019