Job: Head of Stonehenge

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Role appeal and prestige

  • Many commenters find “Head of Stonehenge” intrinsically cool or a “dream job,” independent of pay.
  • Prestige and CV value are seen as major non-monetary benefits; some say they would take it briefly just for the title.
  • Others note it’s essentially a leadership role at one of English Heritage’s flagship sites, comparable in status to heads of major monuments elsewhere.

Salary level and UK job-market context

  • Listed salary (~£64k) is debated heavily.
  • Some consider it “wildly underpaid” for a key national monument and for leadership responsibilities.
  • Others argue it is strong by UK standards:
    • Around 90th percentile income and roughly double UK median pay cited in the thread.
    • In line with or better than many heritage, conservation, charity, and even some government tech roles.
  • Several point out the broader “wage squeeze” in the UK and that heritage/charity sectors are generally poorly paid.

International comparisons and cost-of-living

  • Comparisons to US and Canadian salaries:
    • £64k converts to mid–high US five figures, which is seen as mediocre for senior US professionals but high percentile in Canada.
    • US tech pay is repeatedly described as an outlier; multiple people warn Americans may be in for a “rude awakening” if pay normalizes or AI reduces demand.
  • Disagreement over whether the UK is “poor”:
    • One side calls it a relatively poor, stagnant economy.
    • Others counter that while it lags the US and has inequality issues, it remains a wealthy country by global standards.

Working conditions and benefits

  • Role is 36 hours/week with 25–28 days leave plus bank holidays, pension contributions, and flexible/hybrid work for some similar EH roles.
  • Some see this total package as attractive versus pure salary, especially compared with US norms of longer hours and less vacation.
  • Others emphasize effective tax rates and note that UK residents still “pay” for healthcare via taxation and, in some cases, long wait times.

DEI / “ideology” exchange

  • The job listing’s references to EDI/DEI networks (ethnic diversity, LGBTQ+, disability, age, etc.) spark a short argument.
  • One commenter labels this “ideology” and objects to identity-focused language.
  • Others push back, framing inclusion language as neutral or aligned with liberal democracy, and criticize anti-DEI sentiment as the real ideology.

Tourism experience and alternative sites

  • Experiences at Stonehenge vary:
    • Some describe crowding, limited access, and strict closing times.
    • Others strongly recommend special “Inner Stones” tours or summer solstice access, describing them as profound.
  • Nearby or analogous sites are recommended:
    • Avebury and West Kennet Longbarrow in England, Newgrange in Ireland.
    • These are praised for more open access, atmosphere, and sometimes fewer crowds.

Humor and cultural references

  • Thread is rich in jokes about “rock star” leaders, “Stonehenge architect,” “megalithic codebases,” and WFH (“Work From Henge”).
  • Multiple references to Spinal Tap, druids, sacrifices, and wizard/ritual stereotypes.
  • Some note they’d take the job just for the fun of saying they run Stonehenge.