Description
Website and Digital Development Lead | Inveraray Castle and Gardens, Argyll Estates
Lead the digital transformation of one of Scotland’s most iconic historic destinations.
“Each day when you arrive at the Castle, you realise how amazing it is that you get to work here; you’re not just a visitor seeing it for one day.
Looking out across Loch Fyne, with the Arrochar Alps, hills and forests on your doorstep, and the photogenic Georgian town of Inveraray five minutes’ walk away, Argyll Estate is an inspiring place for anyone with a creative mind.”
Location: Inveraray Castle | Hybrid working considered
Appointment: Permanent, fixed-term or consultancy arrangement
Salary: Dependent on appointment structure and experience
Accommodation: Estate accommodation may be available
About Inveraray Castle and Argyll Estates
Inveraray Castle and Gardens is one of Scotland’s most recognisable historic visitor destinations.
Set on the stunning shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll, Inveraray Castle has been the ancestral home of the Dukes of Argyll and Clan Campbell since the 18th century and remains both a private family home and a nationally recognised visitor attraction.
The Castle sits at the heart of a diverse working Estate encompassing heritage, internationally important collections, architecture, landscape and gardens, tourism, events, filming, accommodation, food and beverage, retail, archives and wider Estate life.
The Opportunity
Inveraray Castle is now embarking upon a significant redevelopment of its website and wider digital infrastructure.
This is far more than a visual redesign: it is an opportunity to shape how Inveraray Castle presents itself digitally to visitors, partners and wider audiences.
This would suit someone looking to join Inveraray and become part of the team, or an experienced independent consultant wishing to take responsibility for a significant standalone digital project.
For an exceptional candidate, there may also be the opportunity to develop an ongoing role managing, optimising and developing Inveraray’s wider digital platform beyond the initial website project.
We are therefore searching for an experienced Website and Digital Development Lead to take ownership of this important project.
We are open to structuring the role in one of the following ways, depending on the experience, availability and circumstances of the successful candidate.
Permanent employment as part of the Inveraray Castle team, where an ongoing digital role can be demonstrated.Fixed-term employment, anticipated to be 9–12 months, allowing for delivery, launch and an appropriate post-launch period.An independent consultant appointed on a deliverables-based basis, with duration and fee agreed around the final scope.What is essential is that the successful candidate spends meaningful time at Inveraray Castle to understand the visitor journey, how the organisation works, meet those working there and appreciate how the independent roles of the Castle, gardens, family, history, visitors and the wider Estate fit together.
Local and relocating applicants are particularly welcomed.
Estate accommodation may be available.
The Role
Reporting to the Castle Manager and working closely with the Senior Marketing Executive, the successful candidate will also work with departmental managers, visitor-facing teams and relevant external specialists.
The new website should transform how visitors discover Inveraray, understand what it offers, plan their journey, purchase tickets and engage with the Castle before and after their visit.
It should bring Inveraray’s story to life while making planning and booking a visit straightforward and intuitive.
Key Project Responsibilities
Discovery and requirements outlineUser experience and the variety of visitor journeysVisual and responsive designFrontend and backend developmentSelection of an appropriate content management systemTicketing and booking integrationThird-party integrationsContent migrationSEO, analytics and conversion trackingAccessibility standards and inclusive user experiencePerformance and security testingWebsite launch planning and deliveryPost launch handover, training and documentation
Understanding Inveraray
This is a digital project rooted in an understanding of place, people and visitor experience, not simply a technical build.
You will need to understand the workings of the Castle and Estate through the eyes of visitors, venue location managers, event organisers and the wider Clan Campbell community.
About You
We are particularly interested in someone who listens before acting, builds trust with stakeholders and takes time to understand the setting before proposing solutions.
You will bring experience in some or all the following areas:
Website design and developmentUser experience and information architectureResponsive and mobile-first designContent management systemsFront-end developmentAPIs, databases or third-party integrationsBooking or payment systemsTechnical SEO and analyticsWebsite security and data protectionWorking with non-technical stakeholdersExperience in heritage, tourism, hospitality, cultural organisations or other visually compelling, story led environments would be particularly valuable.A strong portfolio demonstrating projects you have successfully delivered will be essential.
Personal attributes:
Highly organisedVisually discerningCommercially awareComfortable taking ownershipAble to explain technical matters clearlyCollaborative but confident in your recommendationsSensitive to heritage, family ownership and reputationSelf aware and comfortable drawing on specialist expertise where neededMotivated by creating something with genuine long-term value
Package and Practical Details
Appointment structure: full time permanent employment, a 9 to 12 month fixed term appointment, or an independent, deliverables based consultancy arrangementFull-time salary: Expected £35,000 per annum, depending on experience and employment structureConsultancy fee: To be agreed according to the final scope, deliverables and proposed delivery programmeLocation: Inveraray Castle, Argyll, with meaningful on-site involvementHybrid working: May be considered for an exceptional candidateAccommodation: Estate accommodation may be available, subject to availability.
Options may range from a room in shared Estate accommodation for occasional stays to a house for someone based at Inveraray full time or close to full time.Start date: As soon as reasonably practicable
To apply, please send your CV, portfolio details and a short covering letter outlining why this opportunity interests you to Katharine Landale at Bold New Recruitment.
katharine@boldnewrecruitment.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.