Royal High School Preservation Trust
Executive Director
Competitive Salary
The former Royal High School is a remarkable piece of civic heritage. An internationally recognised Greek-revival building designed by Thomas Hamilton, it was completed in 1829 and was the original cause of Edinburgh becoming known as “the Athens of the North”. Since closing its doors as a school in 1968, the building has struggled to find a new use. In 2015, the Royal High School Preservation Trust put forward a proposal which after extensive public scrutiny was unanimously approved by the City Council and is now in the process of being delivered.
The Trust’s proposal seeks to provide an economically sustainable and culturally suitable purpose for the site which would allow continued public use and access to the building. The proposal is centred on a world-class centre for music education and public performance, supported by an exceptional renovation of the building and its surroundings. The proposal would bring:
- a National Centre for Music with spaces for classical music education, community access and performance
- new premises for an expanded St Mary’s Music School
- a variety of other elements including a new garden and café.
The great majority of the funding for the proposal is already in place, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Dunard Fund. The Trust has worked to ensure the successful delivery of its vision whilst maintaining public understanding and support for the proposal. As the pace of development accelerates, the Trust is now looking to expand with the addition of an Executive Director.
The ideal candidate would have strong project management and development experience. Candidates with a passion for classical music and/or built heritage would be well suited. A working knowledge of the City of Edinburgh would additionally stand a candidate in good stead. Candidates would naturally see the building’s restoration as a considerable gain for Scotland’s built heritage and its repurposing a substantial enrichment to Scotland’s cultural life.
For more information on the organisation, role and how to apply, please visit the dedicated microsite at www.aspenpeople.co.uk/rhspt
For a confidential discussion, please contact Donogh O’Brien or David Currie at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555.
Closing date for applications: Monday 16th January 2023