Outreach Coordinator (0.8 FTE, 2 years fixed term)
Salary: £33,000 per annum., pro rata
Apply by: Thursday April 30th 2026
Nairn Museum
Nairn Museum is an independent museum in the Scottish Highlands. Housed in a Georgian villa, the museum tells the story of Nairnshire through a fascinating collection of objects, photographs and archives. We are proud to serve both our local community, from schools to care homes, as well as a global network of visitors with ancestral ties to the Highlands.
With one permanent Curator-Manager, plus a fixed-term Collections Assistant, and a dedicated team of volunteers, we focus on thoughtful collections care, and creative ways of sharing stories. Our work is rooted locally but globally connected.
This role is part of an exciting new phase in our development, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Communities & Collections Fund. The Outreach Coordinator will play a key role in building relationships, developing participatory practice, and working with communities to reinterpret our collections through the themes of movement, migration, and global connection.
Job Purpose
To lead the development and delivery of Nairn Museum’s community engagement and participatory programme. The Outreach Coordinator will build relationships with local, diaspora, and underrepresented communities, supporting co-curation, creative activity, and dialogue around the museum’s collections. The role will help embed inclusive, collaborative approaches into the museum’s work, ensuring collections are interpreted through diverse perspectives and lived experience.
We’re looking for someone who can support our community to explore stories of movement in creative and inclusive ways: from fishers and fishwives following the migratory patterns of herring in the North Sea, to Highlanders shaped by emigration.
Practical Requirements
The role is principally based at Viewfield House, Nairn. The standard working hours are 28 hours per week. We anticipate the role to be 4 days per week and can accommodate flexible working hours. Some evening or weekend work may be required.
The role will involve local travel in the area.
Person Specifications
Skills and Experience Essential
- Experience of community engagement, outreach, or participatory practice in a cultural, heritage, or community setting.
- Experience of working collaboratively with diverse groups.
- Ability to facilitate workshops, discussions, or group activities.
- Ability to build relationships and work sensitively with different audiences.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative.
Skills and Experience Desirable
- Knowledge of museum or heritage practice.
- Experience of co-production or co-curation.
- Interest in histories of migration and/or Scottish social history.
- Experience working with young people, community groups, artists or creative practitioners.
- Familiarity with digital engagement.
Key duties and responsibilities include:
Community Outreach
- Develop sustainable relationships with local communities, including schools, diaspora groups, creatives, and community organisations.
- Identify and engage participants whose stories connect to themes of movement, migration, and belonging.
- Facilitate workshops, informal gatherings, and participatory sessions to support dialogue and collaboration.
Co-production and Programme Delivery
- Co-design and deliver a programme of activities including workshops, events, creative commissions, and pop-up exhibitions.
- Support community participants to contribute to interpretation, storytelling, and exhibition development.
- Work with artists, facilitators, and contributors to deliver creative outputs such as performances, ceilidhs, and visual responses.
- Contribute ideas to the development of a podcast series.
Access and Audience Development
- Develop strategies to broaden and diversify audiences.
- Contribute to digital engagement, including social media and podcast promotion.
- Support outreach beyond the museum building through community-based activities and partnerships.
- Help increase participation and engagement with underrepresented groups.
Reporting and Finance
As Outreach Coordinatior, you will report to the Curator-Manager, who in turn reports to the Board of Directors.
You will:
- Work closely with the Curator-Manager to plan, deliver, and evaluate project activities.
- Monitor progress against project aims and contribute to reporting and evaluation.
- Maintain accurate records of engagement and participation.
- Manage time effectively and work independently where required.
- Develop your skills through relevant training.
- Work with the Curator-Manager, to manage the budget for exhibitions and creative commissions on this project.
Workplace Culture
- Actively promote a positive and collaborative workplace culture that supports our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.
- Have regard to the implementation of appropriate Health and Safety measures.
- Aim to reduce wastage and uphold our environmental values as being as sustainable as possible.
- Undertake all tasks in accordance with Nairn Museums policies and procedures, reporting any concerns to ensure corrective action is taken.
Other Duties: You may be required to perform duties, appropriate to the post, other than those set out in this specification. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may also be varied without changing the general character of the duties, or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and would not themselves justify reconsideration of the grading. As a result of such variations, it will be necessary to update this job description from time to time.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.
In your covering letter, clearly describe how your education, experience, skills, and interests match the Essential and Desirable Skills and Experience listed in the Person Specifications. Applications will be shortlisted based on how closely your qualifications and experience meet these requirements.
Send applications to:
Annie MacDonald at admin@nairnmuseum.co.uk by end of day on Thursday April 30th 2026.
Any questions can also be sent to Annie MacDonald, Curator Manager at admin@nairnmuseum.co.uk.
Nairn Museum encourages applications from all sections of the community and is an equal opportunity employer.
Nairn Museum is a Fair Work First employer and committed to the Real Living Wage. https://nairnmuseum.co.uk/fair-work-first
Nairn Museum is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland No SC219539 and a Charity registered in Scotland No SC019425
