POST: DIRECTOR

ORGANISATION: THE GURKHA MUSEUM TRUST

STATUS: Registered Charity No 1169920

SALARY: In excess of £60k p.a., plus Pension Contribution

LOCATION: Winchester, Hampshire (On Site)

The Gurkha Museum Trust is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Director/CEO to lead its operations, due to the impending departure to a prestigious new role of the current Director, Dr Daren Bowyer, after an exciting and ongoing period of growth and development of the Museum’s capabilities. The right candidate must be ready to model and build upon the culture of the Museum and the Brigade of Gurkhas. They must provide inspired leadership to the staff team and volunteers, establish an excellent working relationship with the Board of Trustees and all elements of the Brigade of Gurkhas, and implement the Museum’s strategy.

Based in the heart of Winchester, Hampshire, the Gurkha Museum commemorates and celebrates the Gurkhas’ 210 years of loyal and gallant service to this Country, in peace and war. As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, the Museum has been moving through a period of significant development and renewal and is looking to recruit a highly competent Director, to head a dedicated team in all aspects of its operations to consolidate and leverage its recent and ongoing redevelopment, and to carry forward the Gurkha Museum to maintain and enhance its reputation as a leading military Museum, with a unique cultural heritage.

The successful candidate will be a senior leader capable of managing an ambitious military museum in the 21st Century, while personally committing to the heritage and ethos of the Brigade of Gurkhas as well as the culture of Nepal. This will require significant capability immediately on appointment, in leading an evolving fundraising and legacy programme, building on the Museum’s recent successful £5.2 million Capital Appeal. The new Director will also have demonstrable skills to lead an executive team and a diverse workforce. They will be a proven and accomplished administrator, capable of preparing papers and briefing at both strategic and operational level and have a track record of leading and implementing change at senior level. Importantly, they must have the commercial and financial acumen to drive the Museum’s income upwards.

They should also have sound project management skills and experience of management reporting, financial planning and budgetary control. Knowledge and an understanding of operating in a museum, charity or military environment would be preferable, whilst an ability to communicate well, prioritise and work in a customer focused, self-motivated way will be essential.

To apply, please send your CV and Supporting Statement, of no more than 2 pages in MS Word or pdf format and addressed to Martin Brooks (Chairman of Trustees), to Director@thegurkhamuseum.co.uk quoting reference “Director 2026”.

For a confidential discussion with the current Director, Dr Daren Bowyer, please email Director@thegurkhamuseum.co.uk

Closing Date for applications is 1200 noon on Friday 9 January 2026 but the Museum reserves the right to close the process earlier if suitable candidates are identified. First round interviews are provisionally scheduled for w/c 19 Jan or 26 Jan. If you will have difficulty being available in either of those weeks, please say so in your cover letter.