Job Description

Cowdray Heritage Trust

Role:

Operations Supervisor

Reports to :

General Manager

Location:

Cowdray Ruins Visitor Centre, Midhurst

Contract type:

24 hours per week, flexible hours, to include some evenings and weekends

Salary:

Competitive

Cowdray Heritage Trust is seeking an Operations Supervisor to join their team. This is a pivotal role within the charity, whose purpose is to preserve and manage Cowdray Ruins for the public benefit, and is located within Cowdray Estate, at the heart of the South Downs National Park.

The Estate

Cowdray Estate is both a home to Lord Cowdray and his family as well as a collection of thriving enterprises set in the magnificent South Downs National Park. The 4th Viscount, Michael Cowdray oversees the management of the Estate, through the day-to-day leadership of its Chief Executive Jonathan Russell.


The Estate's interests span those of both a traditional rural operation with farming, forestry and property enterprises spread across 16,000 acres, as well as offering a highly compelling range of sporting, cultural and leisure-based experiences for the wider public to enjoy.

Cowdray Ruins and Cowdray Heritage Trust

Cowdray Ruins consists of the ruins of one of England's great Tudor houses, architecturally comparable to many of the great palaces and country houses of that time. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1793, but the ruins are Grade I listed for their historical importance.


Cowdray Heritage Trust exists to manage and maintain Cowdray Ruins for the benefit of the public. Whilst the majority of the site is presently closed, we have recently opened a small Visitor Centre and Cafe, and continue to operate guided tours and events, which we intend to increase alongside the building of our team. We are at an exciting early stage of Masterplanning to fix the stonework to allow us to re-open the site, as well as considering what other options there are to engage further with our audience, increase footfall, and contribute commercially to the ongoing maintenance of the Ruins.

The Position

The Operations Supervisor role has varied functions, with a focus on day to day operational management of Cowdray Ruins and the Visitor Centre/Cafe. The Ruins itself is mostly closed to the public, so our focus is on maximising the use of our usable spaces to attract diverse audiences and increase income. Your vision and drive will continue to build on our current operation, from increasing visitor numbers, and bringing fresh ideas to showcasing our site to a wider audience, to handling enquiries and overseeing health and safety.


It will be a necessary requirement of the job to work occasional evenings and weekends, to cover visitor based activities. The role will be based working from our Heritage Office based next to the Ruins.

Key Responsibilities

As Operations Supervisor your responsibilities include the following:

Staff and volunteers - (recruitment, induction, development, motivation, performance management) such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their and that staffing budgets are adhered to; Instil a Health & Safety culture across the site, ensuring the team work within the sites Risk Assessments to reduce risk of incidents and accidents to volunteers, employees and visitors. Oversee outsourcing of both ongoing and ad-hoc maintenance works; Budgets - (setting and monitoring together with the General Manager) to ensure that operational finances are sustainable; Plan and deliver annual events strategy to maximise use of accessible areas and bring in existing and new audiences; Audience research in various forms such as surveys, to gain a better understanding of our current and potential visitors; Create a culture of 'exceptional service, every time'. Delivering high standards of delivery and a consistentlywarm welcome within all areas; Taking responsibility for opening and closing and security of buildings as well as emergency procedure implementation, duty management and providing relief cover as required.

The Candidate

Supervisory experience, ideally within a museum, visitor attraction or hospitality industry. Excellent written and oral communication. Passionate about customer service and delivering service excellence. 'Can-do' attitude - ready to get involved. Fast learner - adapting to new processes in rapid change climate. Well-developed time management and organisation skills. Self-starter - able to work autonomously Computer literacy with good ability on MS software; Good team player - displays compassion towards fellow colleagues. Mature approach, dedicated and committed with a strong drive, independent, and reliable.

To apply

Ready to join us? Apply today and become part of the Cowdray team.
To apply, please click the yellow button below and send your CV and a Cover Letter to the email listed.

To apply for this job

email your details to

gemma.butterfield@cowdray.co.uk.