Senior Interpretation Developer

About Us

We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.  

Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.

We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.

Diversity and inclusion matter to us.

Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.

We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

About the role

The Natural History Museum is transforming how visitors experience science, nature and the story of our planet through an ambitious programme of new galleries, public spaces and exhibitions as part of the NHM150 programme. We’re looking for a Senior Interpretation Developer to play a leading role in shaping these experiences; developing compelling narratives, interpretation and visitor journeys that connect audiences with the Museum’s collections, research and mission.

Working closely with Exhibition and Gallery Leads, scientists, curators, designers and audience researchers, you will help create intellectually rigorous and emotionally engaging exhibitions and gallery experiences. From early-stage research and concept development through to final delivery, you’ll shape how stories are told across a range of interpretive formats, including text, interactives and audio-visual experiences.

You’ll combine strong storytelling skills with audience insight and a deep understanding of interpretive practice to create experiences that are accessible, inspiring and impactful for diverse audiences. Alongside this, you’ll collaborate across the Museum to select objects and specimens for display, develop briefs for interactive exhibits, and support fundraising, stakeholder engagement and exhibition promotion.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to major, high-profile projects that will shape how millions of visitors engage with the natural world and the Museum’s collections for years to come.

About you

Are you an experienced interpretation or exhibition professional who enjoys turning complex ideas into engaging visitor experiences? If you’re passionate about storytelling, audience engagement and creating meaningful cultural experiences, this could be the role for you.

You bring experience developing and delivering interpretation for exhibitions, galleries or similar public experiences, with the ability to combine rigorous research with creative and audience-focused thinking. You are confident shaping narratives, developing interpretation plans and working across multiple formats, from text and object interpretation to interactive and audio-visual content.

You are a strong collaborator who enjoys working with subject specialists, designers and stakeholders across disciplines to bring ideas to life. You communicate clearly and persuasively, whether writing exhibition content, presenting concepts or influencing project discussions.

If you thrive in fast-paced project environments, enjoy balancing creativity with delivery, and can manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of work, you will excel in this role. An interest in natural science, science communication or museum practice would be advantageous, but most importantly, you are motivated by creating exceptional experiences that inspire audiences and deepen understanding of the natural world.

Thriving at the Museum: the way we work

We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

Find out more here

What we offer

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
• Life insurance
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
• We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi

Hybrid working

We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first-hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events.  We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with a minimum of three days on site in South Kensington per week. The precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.