General Manager - Westerham

Are you an influential leader looking for your next move? We've got an exciting opportunity to join us as General Manager for the Chartwell Portfolio.

We’re looking for an experienced leader who can collaborate to deliver exceptional standards across a range of activities and places.   

This is your chance to inspire and motivate your team across one of the most complex and breath-taking portfolios of properties within the National Trust.  This West Kent cluster includes the internationally recognised home of Sir Winston Churchill at Chartwell, the stunning Emmetts Garden, General Wolfe’s childhood home of Quebec House and 1500 acres of woodland at Toy’s Hill. You’ll turn strategy into reality and deliver across a broad range of operational areas as you share beautiful places with our supporters and communities.

Salary: Circa £56,706 depending on experience. We may be able to offer support with a relocation

Working hours: Some bank holidays and weekend working required on a rota basis

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations, you'll be supported by national and regional specialists. In this leadership role, you'll have the autonomy and independence to adapt our national strategy into local plans that respond to the local environment and context.

This is a complex portfolio of listed buildings, accredited museums and stunning outdoor spaces, some open 363 days a year, others by limited, in depth pre-booked tours. Combined we have over 350,000 visitors to our pay for entry properties and hundreds of thousands to the countryside.

You’ll also be part of a dynamic wider General Manager community across Kent and East Sussex, committed to providing access to nature, beauty and history.

You’ll work with other leaders in the culture and arts sector and have an opportunity to be part of the National Trust’s pioneering work in telling the unique stories of our places.

You can find out more in the attached candidate pack. If you'd like this in a different format, please contact us using the information on the right hand side of this page.

You’ll blend your operational experience with clear strategic thinking and be comfortable seeing the big picture as well as dealing with the day to day needs of our places.

Chartwell is one of the National Trust’s most renowned Houses and you’ll be responsible for setting high standards, working across a network of places and providing leadership within the cultural heritage sector.  This house of treasures is internationally recognised, and you’ll play your part in supporting its profile on the world stage.

You'll lead a team of Heads of Departments ranging from Property Curator and Outdoors Manager to Operations Manager and Facilities leads, as well as a fantastic team of volunteers. Working alongside Area Managers operating the commercial businesses, you’ll have overall accountability for the portfolio’s visitor experience, risk and compliance, financial success and conservation practices.

You’ll work in partnership with people and organisations outside the National Trust to create the biggest impact for people who access our rich cultural and natural heritage, whilst always championing conservation.

Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.

• An outstanding leader of people with a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• An understanding of and interest in – the historic or natural environment, cultural leadership and heritage, and the balance between managing public access and conservation.
• Strong operational experience and a clear strategic thinker.
• Ability to build relationships with a complex series of external partners and collaborators.
• Able to effectively communicate at all levels, you’ll have experience in connecting teams and building toward a shared vision.
• An interest in Climate Change and the impacts upon people and places.
• Comfortable managing operational risk, understand the underpinning need for compliance and know what it means to hold others to account.

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 i.e. 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 locations

• Independent financial advice

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.