Leanne - Concept Developer (The New Dowse)

 

• How long have you worked at HCC?

18 Months

• What attracted you to the role?

The opportunity to work in one of New Zealand’s most innovative and creative museums and with an outstanding creative team. I am very passionate about working to provide the people of Hutt City and beyond with challenging and memorable experiences, and this role enabled me to do that. The New Dowse was just about to re-open after a major redevelopment, with a new team so that was also a draw card. I was also attracted to the position because it was part time, and I have young children, and because I live locally.

 

• What does your job involve – day to day things?

My role as Concept Developer involves developing and researching concepts for visitor experiences at TheNewDowse and Petone Settlers Museum. This means working with the Strategic Plan and guidelines provided by Management and creating ideas for exhibitions and events that will meet needs of our audiences, across both Musuems. Once a concept is launched I work as part of a collaborative team to further develop the content and the interpretation. This involves a lot of creative thinking, as well as liasion with artists and external partners.

 

• Things about the job that you enjoy the most…

I love seeing people’s reactions to the exhibitions and events that I have worked on: watching their faces light up or seeing them enjoy an experience, or taking part in an activity. For me it is all about creating experiences for people that they otherwise would not have, and about stretching their minds to think about things they perhaps have not thought about before.
I love the challenge of thinking up new ways of doing things and creating concepts which haven't been thought of before. I also love working as part of our team, a team which I am learning a lot from and a team which is clever and insightful.

 

• What is your view of the main benefits of working at HCC / in Lower Hutt?

For me it is local which is great - no commuting! HCC has good performance review structures which allows for remuneration increases and bonuses, and they keep up with industry standards. The holiday programme discount for my children is also a bonus.

 

• What skills & attributes do you think someone will need to do your job?

Someone in my role needs to be a creative and innovative thinker. Coming up with clever ideas and researching and developing stories is a key skill which involves skills in anayltical thinking and problem solving. Working as part of a team is also really important, as is the ability to manage external relationships. They also need to be able to work towards audience needs, and keep projects on time and under budget.