Business Services Manager

NATIONAL TRUST; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural organization in the South West seeks a Business Services Manager to lead a team in delivering effective business support across the region. The successful candidate will manage budgets, contribute to strategic planning, and ensure compliance while fostering a culture of high performance. This role requires excellent leadership and collaboration skills, along with a strong focus on customer service and operational efficiency.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Free entry to National Trust places for you and family

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym and shopping discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working hours

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most sites

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, creating a culture of high performance.
• Skilled in building collaborative relationships and influencing stakeholders.
• Demonstrates a strong customer focus with high service standards.
• Experienced in driving operational efficiency and managing budgets.
• Proficient in using advanced digital tools and systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead a team of business services professionals.
• Contribute to business planning and delivery at a strategic level.
• Ensure effective implementation of new systems and processes.
• Provide reporting, analysis, and budgeting support.
• Chair the SW Implementation Board and manage regional compliance.

Job description

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

This is a great opportunity to join our management team in the South West, reporting to the Regional Director for the South West and working with a dynamic and energetic team where you will have the opportunity to play a part in making a difference every day. This is a leadership role, maintaining stability and focussed direction of your team, motivating and developing them within a new framework, providing support and expertise across our Business Services teams both at the front line and strategically oriented in the South West.

What it's like to work here

Our Business Services Manager covers the whole of the South West and therefore we can be flexible with the location; you will be based from your nearest office hub, and occasionally you may work from home like we all do these days; but also, the role will involve being out and about on a regular basis so you’ll need to be comfortable with travelling around.

What you'll be doing

Reporting into and working closely with the Regional Director for the South West, you will work as part of our Regional Management team where you will proactively contribute to and help shape business planning and delivery at a strategic level for the region.

You’ll manage and lead a team of business services professionals to deliver efficient and effective business support across the South West, providing direction, priorities, coaching and feedback, and bridging the gap between front line and strategic delivery. This is a key role in ensuring new systems and processes are implemented and work effectively for all our teams, and you’ll often be consulted by members of our leadership team at our properties to share your professional knowledge and advice to help their teams work most effectively. In addition, you will work with the broader regional business services community nationally to share knowledge and great practice.

You’ll play a key role as a member of the regional management team which, as well as effective strategic business planning, will include the management and tracking of the annual business plan, providing timely and accurate analysis and co‑ordination of internal and external data requests, collating and submitting reports and papers. You will lead on regional compliance and Chair the SW Implementation Board. You’ll also be responsible for your own budgets, support the Regional Director with regional management team budgeting and have overall facilities management of our four regional office bases.

Who we're looking for:

• Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, creating a culture of high performance, innovation, and shared learning, while influencing senior leaders and actively contributing to a high‑performing team.
• Skilled in building collaborative relationships and influencing stakeholders across varied internal and external networks.
• Demonstrates a strong customer focus with the ability to set and maintain high service standards through effective planning and prioritisation.
• Experienced in driving operational efficiency and managing budgets, contracts, and resources to support strategic goals.
• Proficient in using advanced digital tools and systems to support service delivery, data management, and business process improvements.

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)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• 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