Heritage Community Engagement Officer

Posting date:	06 February 2026
Salary:	£36,363 to £39,151 per year
Additional salary information:	Competitive
Hours:	Part time
Closing date:	07 March 2026
Location:	Portsmouth Museum, PO12LJ
Company:	Portsmouth City Council
Job type:	Temporary
Job reference:	pcc/TP/724/1182

Summary

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Portsmouth 100: Your Museum, Your Stories, Your City is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to fund a new exhibition and extensive community engagement work.

Portsmouth 100: Your Museum, Your Stories, Your City

Project Summary/ Background

In 2026 there will be a year-long centenary celebration, marking 100 years since Portsmouth was officially granted city status. The programme will feature numerous events throughout the year, celebrating the city's rich heritage, culture and community.

The Portsmouth 100: Your Stories, Your Museum, Your City will create two ambitious and inspiring exhibition displays across our two main ground floor gallery spaces at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, co-curated with local communities to reflect the city’s last 100 years. By uncovering lesser-known stories and amplifying diverse voices, we aim to foster a stronger sense of place and identity. The project will actively involve communities in shaping the displays, ensuring they feel represented and heard. As part of the city’s centenary celebrations, it will attract new audiences including residents and visitors and build lasting partnerships.

Further information about the centenary celebrations can be found atwww.visitportsmouth.co.uk/portsmouth-100/

Further information about Portsmouth Museums can be found atwww.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk

Heritage Community Engagement Officer - secondment/fixed term opportunity for up to 18 months due to funding.

29.6 hours a week - days and working pattern to be discussed at interview.

Office attendance is required minimum 2-days a week for full time staff, this remains flexible, subject to business needs.

Your new role

This is an exciting new opportunity to play a key role in celebrating Portsmouth’s 100th year as a city. Inspiring our communities with the "Your Museum, Your stories, Your City Exhibition", the Community Engagement Officer will lead inclusive, community-driven activities that bring Portsmouth’s rich heritage to life.

Within this role we are looking for you to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds with the city’s history through dynamic events, storytelling, and digital content. You will work across Portsmouth Museums, Portsmouth Libraries, schools, and indoor and outdoor community spaces, helping residents explore and share the stories that make Portsmouth unique. To help you develop engaging content and experiences that explore Portsmouth's journey over the past 100 years, you will use the museum collections and archives which will enable you to deliver heritage-themed activities in public spaces to ensure access and participation across the city. You will work with other members of the team to produce education materials for schools and families, monitoring and evaluating the impact of these activities to inform future planning.

Who is the person summary:

You will have experience in community engagement, public history or heritage education along with excellent communication and facilitation skills. As well as an enthusiasm for local history and community storytelling, you will have knowledge of Portsmouth heritage and communities. You will be confident in using digital tools and social media for outreach as well as being able to work independently and collaboratively with a wider range of stakeholder. With the ability to travel and work across the City, you will need to be available to work occasional evenings and weekends to support community events and outreach activities.

For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.

Interview date: Week commencing 23 February 2026.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page:Support for applicants - Careers portal

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office minimum 2 days a week (pro rata for part time), this remains flexible, depending on the role and subject to business needs

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person'points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had.If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found atEquality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contactrecruit@portsmouthcc.gov.ukor call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage:Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council