Property Operations Manager

Job Description

Summary This full time role is for a fixed term covering maternity leave. The role is expected to start at the beginning of October 2021 with a term of at least 9 months.The role will play an important part within the portfolios Senior Leadership Team, supporting the General Manager across the portfolio with an emphasis on Formby. Having a direct link to the Formby Point Project, encompassing our Victoria Road, Dunelife and Lifeboat Road projects; the role is highly strategic, aiding from an operational stance in the delivery of each project element.Our sites are busy and varied. Our friendly, outgoing teams are passionate about the work we do to conserve these special places and to share the stories with a wide range of visitors. Were looking for people to work with us who are enthusiastic, flexible,adaptable, enjoy variety and are full team players. (As we have relatively small teams on site, everyone helps each other out.)Whichever property you are based at and whatever role you play on site, standards of excellence in customer service and visitor engagement are essential. Some of our busiest days are at weekends and on Bank Holidays, so all staff are expected to take partin a regular weekend and Bank Holiday working.More information on the sites below What its like to work here Stretching from the wild and dynamic dunes along the Formby coast to Gawthorpe Hall at Padiham on the urban edge of Burnley, stopping off at Rufford Old Hall and Holcombe Moor along the way, a more diverse collection of properties it would be hard to findwithin the National Trust. Each one has fascinating stories to tell and plenty of opportunities to engage with our visitors.FormbyFormbys shifting sands create ever-changing dunes sculpted by the wind and squeezed by surging tides. Sea views over Liverpool Bay to the hills of North Wales can be enjoyed from the windy sandy beaches. Footprint trails 5000 years old sometimes reappearas the sea erodes ancient mudflats. Pinewood walks with red squirrels lead to open fields and the Formby Asparagus trail. Formby is the place for simple pleasures of a family day out, for healthy exercise, fresh air and relaxation, and for a seaside picnicin the perfect spot.Rufford Old Hall.This is a gem of a property, grade 1 listed, set in 14 acres of garden and 69 acres of agricultural land. The Great Hall is a rare survivor from around 1530, with a richly carved movable screen, the only one of its kind to survive intact. This is all thatremains of the former Hesketh estate which once covered 10,000 acres throughout Lancashire.Gawthorpe HallGawthorpe Hall was built circa 1600 and restored in 1850-52 by Sir Charles Bary. It houses a collection of original furniture and 17th century paintings within a series of ornate rooms. Visitors are also delighted by the stunning textile exhibition, chosenfrom the nationally acclaimed Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth collection, housed and cared for on site.Although owned by the National Trust, we look after this hidden gem of a property with two other partners. The Hall and its gardens are leased and managed by Lancashire County Council and the Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth collection is managed and conserved byGawthorpe Textile Collection, a small independent charitable trust.The National Trust looks after and manages the magnificent 1605 Great Barn, the wider woodland and estate and the Tea Room. We do this with a small team of NT staff and volunteers based on site, with the support of portfolio and regional staff. What youll be doing Working with us.Our sites are busy and varied. Our friendly, outgoing teams are passionate about the work we do to conserve these special places and to share the stories with a wide range of visitors. Were looking for people to work with us who are enthusiastic, flexible,adaptable, enjoy variety and are full team players. (As we have relatively small teams on site, everyone helps each other out.)Whichever property you are based at and whatever role you play on site, standards of excellence in customer service and visitor engagement are essential. Some of our busiest days are at weekends and on Bank Holidays, so all staff are expected to take partin a regular weekend and Bank Holiday working.Property Operations ManagerAt the heart of everything we do on site is conservation and visitor experienceto look after these special places for ever, for everyone. And all of that work has to be paid for. This is where you come in.Any visitor coming to a site linked with the National Trust expects a great experience, and you will help to ensure that we dont disappoint! You will develop and lead on all commercial and operational aspects of the business across the portfolio, workingclosely with your direct reports to deliver an excellent visitor experience.Youll use your strong people skills to establish good working relationships with property colleagues, as well as continuing to forge great relationships with our partners across the portfolio Who were looking for Its a significant role across a busy portfolio, with one major property delivering key projects so we will need someone who can take on a challenge. You will support our Project Manager with the Formby Point Project, offering operational, commercial andstrategic experience. Having significant operational management experience in a busy customer facing environment and/or at historic properties, you will appreciate how we must balance visitor experience and revenue generation.Extensive experience of assessing & managing risk, knowledge of health & safety and compliance requirements, plus the ability to plan for and manage emergency scenarios will be a must. The ability to work on own initiative will be vital across the portfolio,responding to varying pressures especially managing difficult situations. The package Benefits for working at the National Trust:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Discounts in high street stores, cinemas, National Trust properties and cafes.

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Generous annual leave

• Subsidised health cash plan

• Free 24-hour support service

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Training & Development tailored to you

• Up to 5 days of paid volunteering for you.

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