How to Be Heritage Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 17, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

As the Heritage Manager, it is my responsibility to ensure that the traditions and cultural heritage sites of our community are preserved and respected. To do this, I must ensure that the local government adheres to strict regulations and laws to protect these sites, while also engaging the local community to emphasize the importance of preserving their heritage. As a result of this, the local community has become more engaged and aware of the significance of their culture and history, and have begun to take an active role in preserving it. In addition, increased visitor numbers to heritage sites has had a positive economic impact on the area, providing increased job opportunities and aiding in the conservation and restoration of cultural sites.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a Heritage Manager, you'll need to obtain at least a bachelor's degree in a field related to history, museum studies, anthropology, or another discipline related to heritage management. Depending on the specific job you're interested in, a master's degree may also be required.
Participate in an Internship. Participating in an internship related to heritage management is a great way to gain experience and develop skills applicable to the field. You can typically find internships at museums, government agencies, and other organizations related to the management of heritage sites.
Obtain Field Experience. Working as a volunteer or in a paid position at a heritage site will help you gain valuable field experience and increase your chances of being hired as a Heritage Manager.
Join Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations such as the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the Society for Historical Archaeology can be beneficial for networking and staying up-to-date on industry developments.
Apply for Jobs. Once you've fulfilled the education and experience requirements, you can begin applying for jobs as a Heritage Manager. You may be required to take additional exams or pass a background check before you can be hired.

In order to stay ahead and qualified as a Heritage Manager, it is vital to continually update your knowledge and skills. It is important to attend relevant conferences and seminars to keep up to date with changes in the industry and new technologies. Furthermore, networking with other professionals in the field is a great way to stay abreast of current trends and learn from the experiences of others.

taking advantage of continuing education opportunities, such as online classes, can help ensure that your qualifications are up to date and your skills remain sharp. Finally, staying involved in professional organizations and associations related to heritage management can help you stay connected with the latest developments in the field.

You may want to check Librarian, Genealogist, and Museum Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and implement preservation plans for heritage sites.
Monitor the condition of heritage sites and take action to prevent further deterioration.
Prepare conservation reports and heritage impact assessments.
Undertake research into the history and significance of heritage sites.
Liaise with local stakeholders to ensure that the interests of all parties are taken into account in the management of heritage sites.
Promote public understanding and appreciation of heritage sites.
Provide advice on the design and construction of new buildings and developments in the vicinity of heritage sites.
Monitor and manage budgets for the maintenance and restoration of heritage sites.
Oversee the conservation and restoration works to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
Prepare and deliver education programmes about the history and heritage of sites.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of cultural heritage conservation principles and practices
Outstanding organizational and project management skills
Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills
Ability to work effectively in a team environment
Computer literacy, including knowledge of databases, content management systems and other software programs
Understanding of relevant legislation, policies and procedures
Ability to research and analyze information
Strong financial management skills
Ability to develop and implement strategic plans
Understanding of local history, culture and customs

The ability to effectively manage a heritage site is key for its long-term success. Heritage managers must have a number of important skills, including strong communication and interpersonal skills, research and analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, knowledge of local and international legislation, understanding of cultural heritage practices, and financial acumen. Good communication skills are essential for heritage managers in order to be able to successfully communicate with stakeholders, such as government agencies, local communities, and donors.

Research and analytical abilities are needed to identify and analyze potential issues that may arise and develop effective strategies to address them. Problem-solving skills are also necessary to find solutions to any problems that may arise, while knowledge of local and international legislation is required to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Understanding of cultural heritage practices is important in order to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of a site.

Finally, financial acumen is critical for heritage managers to be able to effectively manage their budgets and resources. All these skills are essential for heritage managers if they are to successfully manage a heritage site.

Antiquities Curator, History Professor, and Museum Educator are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in a heritage management role?
How do you ensure the heritage values of a site are understood and respected?
What strategies have you used to increase public engagement with heritage sites?
How have you incorporated community feedback into your heritage management plans?
What experience do you have in developing and managing heritage interpretation programs?
How would you go about protecting a site from potential threats to its heritage values?
What strategies have you employed to facilitate the research, conservation and interpretation of heritage sites?
How do you ensure that heritage resources are used sustainably and in a way that respects the environment?
How would you handle difficult situations with stakeholders or members of the public who are not supportive of heritage projects?
What initiatives have you implemented to increase public awareness and understanding of heritage sites?

Common Tools in Industry

Digital Asset Management (DAM) System. A DAM system is used to store, manage, and track digital assets such as images, videos, and audio files. (eg: Adobe Experience Manager)
Collection Management Software. A collection management software is used to track, manage and organize museum objects and artifacts. (eg: The Museum System)
Preservation Management Software. Preservation management software is used to identify, assess and monitor the condition of heritage sites for preventive conservation. (eg: PastPerfect)
Document and Records Management System. A document and records management system is used to store, manage, organize and track documents. (eg: M-Files)
Cultural Heritage Informatics. Cultural heritage informatics is a field of study dedicated to developing innovative uses of information technology to support cultural heritage management and research. (eg: Preservica)
Digital Repositories. Digital repositories are used to store, preserve, and provide access to digital assets like documents, images, audio files, and videos. (eg: DSpace)

Professional Organizations to Know

The Association of Professional Heritage Interpretation (APHI)
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP)
National Council on Public History (NCPH)
Society of Architectural Historians (SAH)
International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE)
The British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography (BIAB)
Council for British Archaeology (CBA)
International Council on Monuments and Sites - UK (ICOMOS-UK)

We also have Exhibit Developer, Historical Research Analyst, and Historic Preservation Technician jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Cultural Heritage. Refers to the material and spiritual heritage of a group or society that has been passed down from generations, and is considered important for its historical and cultural value.
Conservation. The process of preserving and protecting cultural heritage from damage, decay, or loss.
Preservation. The act of keeping something in its original condition or preventing it from being damaged, altered, or destroyed.
Cultural Resource Management (CRM). A system of managing cultural heritage resources to ensure their long-term protection and preservation.
Site Management Plan. A document that outlines a strategy for managing a particular cultural heritage site or area.
Risk Management. The process of identifying, assessing, and taking action to minimize the risks posed by threats to cultural heritage sites.
Documentation. The process of recording information about cultural heritage sites and objects in order to facilitate their management and interpretation.
Interpretation. The process of providing visitors with an understanding of the significance of a cultural heritage site or object.
Education. The process of teaching people about the importance of cultural heritage and the need to protect it.
Public Access. The process of providing access to cultural heritage sites or objects for public appreciation and understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Heritage Manager?

Heritage Manager is a cloud-based content and collections management system designed to help users store, manage, and share information about their cultural heritage and artifacts.

What types of data can be stored in Heritage Manager?

Heritage Manager can store any type of digital content, including images, audio, video, text documents, and other files. It also supports data capture from external sources, such as archives and databases.

How does Heritage Manager help to preserve cultural heritage?

Heritage Manager helps to preserve cultural heritage by providing a secure, centralized platform for storing and sharing information. It also provides tools for recording, curating, and analyzing data, as well as sharing it with the public.

What are the key features of Heritage Manager?

The key features of Heritage Manager include secure data storage, data capture from external sources, data curation and analysis tools, multimedia support, customizable access control, and public sharing capabilities.

What is the cost of using Heritage Manager?

Pricing for Heritage Manager varies depending on the size of the organization and the level of service required. Contact Heritage Manager for more information on pricing plans.