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Form of work
SalaryAs General Manager, yours is the leadership role and the driving force behind the portfolio, which consists of one of our busier visitor attractions – Dunster Castle & Water Mill – and an award-winning smaller property – Coleridge Cottage.
Leading from the front, you'll encourage and empower your team, turning strategy into reality and delivering across a broad range of operational areas as you bring nature, beauty and history to our members and visitors. You'll build an inclusive culture where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
What it's like to work here
Our offer is unique, deeply authentic and profoundly impactful and so is the team that work here. You'll lead a team of 40 staff and 100 volunteers, working with our regional and national specialist teams.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations for Somerset & Gloucestershire, you will work alongside a wider General Manager community across the South West region, and with our internal Consultancy and external partners.
What you'll be doing
You'll manage a Property Leadership Team, each with their own responsibility – from gardens, facilities, visitor experience, volunteering & community, to curatorship and collections care – and will work with regional commercial (Food & Beverage, Retail and Holidays) teams, let estate teams, Finance & People partners, and an expert group of regional consultants. You'll bring your motivational style to encourage your team to succeed across all areas to build the funds to invest back into further conservation and development.
You'll focus on providing inspirational leadership for staff and volunteers alike; the ongoing development of a great visitor experience with a focus on customer service; and build a plan for the future of the portfolio. You'll manage risk and compliance, champion conservation, nature, buildings and collections.
Who we're looking for
We need an experienced and dynamic person. You'll love working with people and making things happen. As an 'expert generalist', you'll have experience across a diverse remit. We have high visitor and revenue targets, so you'll be experienced with finances, people and projects.
With many skills in your toolkit, you'll need to demonstrate the following:
- An understanding of – or curiosity about – the historic or natural environment, culture and heritage, and the challenges of managing visitors and conservation
- Interest in our supporters and visitors and what matters to them
- Experience of leading diverse operational teams
- Understanding of visitor expectations and excellent service delivery
- Commitment to inclusion and diversity
- Confidence managing operational risk, understand the underpinning need for compliance and know what it means to hold others to account
- Dedication to Climate Action
- Willingness occasionally to work at weekends and Bank Holidays as part of a Duty Management rota is required with this role
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Tax-free childcare scheme
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
- Independent financial advice
