Crematorium Manager

Westerleigh; New Denham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary performance bonus

33 days holiday

Pension scheme

Ongoing learning & development

Smart uniform and PPE provided

Free parking

Job summary

Westerleigh is creating a new crematorium and seeks a capable Crematorium Manager to own the day-to-day operations, P&L, and team development. You will network with local communities and funeral directors, while training across sites with experienced managers to ensure high standards of care.

You will lead by example, shaping a service culture that aligns with our values and delivers exceptional, personalised support to families, with ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams and developing people.
• Commercial focus with P&L understanding and budgeting.
• Experience in or familiarity with bereavement or funeral services is beneficial.
• Strong people management and leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the team to deliver best-in-class service to families and funeral directors.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, KPI performance, and budget management.
• Collaborate with support functions and role-model Westerleigh values and behaviours.
• Manage site P&L and drive commercial performance and community relationships.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Commercial acumen

Team development

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

IT skills

Job description

Crematorium Manager

Full time hours - 40 hours per week

£42,000 - £52,000 per annum + Discretionary performance bonus + Benefits

Permanent role

Aum Crematorium

AUM is partnering with Westerleigh Group to bring a new crematorium to the community in 2027, specifically designed to accommodate Hindu, Jain and Sikh funeral rites, while welcoming families and individuals of all faiths and beliefs, as well as those with no religious affiliation.

We are recruiting now to ensure plenty of time for training to ensure you are set up for success.

You may not have considered a career in this sector before - and that's absolutely fine. Many of our colleagues joined us from completely different backgrounds, bringing valuable transferable skills and experiences with them.

With full industry training provided, along with ongoing learning and career development, this is an opportunity to build a rewarding career in a role where every day is different and the work you do has a genuine and lasting impact on the families and communities we serve.

The role

Having ownership of a brand new site means a blank canvass where you can make your mark. You will also spend lot's of time networking and raising awareness of your new site before it opens to help establish it as a respected and valued part of the local community. You will be partnered with a mentor and undertake extensive training at our other local sites with experienced Managers.

You'll have full ownership of the day-to-day operations, performance and P&L. Alongside developing your team and shaping a culture that reflects our values, you'll help maintain our reputation for quality and exceptional care and build strong relationships with families and Funeral Directors who rely on our expertise when it matters most.

The services we provide continue to change and adapt to the ever-growing call for more choice when it comes to a final goodbye and no two days will be the same as each family and service are uniquely personal.

Your ideas and creativity will also help shape the individuality of your site, some of our Crematorium Managers have implemented bee hives, wildflower meadows, animal habitats, regular quiz nights and coffee mornings to name but a few!

We combine strong commercial awareness with a deeply caring approach, ensuring every decision supports both the future sustainability of our services and that families are at the heart of everything we do.

When you join us, it's an opportunity to be a part of something truly meaningful and significant.

Additional detail about the role

People

• Lead the team to deliver best in class service to the bereaved and funeral director partners.
• Lead and manage the team in all aspects of day-to-day activity including monitoring performance in relation to KPI's and budget, ongoing development, and recruitment.
• Collaborative working and communication with all support functions.
• Role model for our vision, values and leadership behaviours.

Quality

• Deliver the highest standards of quality in compliance and services, ensuring all services adhere to Westerleigh standards, policy and relevant legislation.
• Contribute to innovation and improved practice for site.
• Monitor customer feedback.
• Deliver the highest standards of health and safety.

Business

• Responsibility for the P&L and commercial performance of your site.
• Drive improvements in volume through active pursuit of new opportunities and building relationships both in and out of normal catchment area.
• Optimise the efficient use of site staff, facilities equipment, supplies, consumables and support services.
• Contribute to annual pricing and budgeting activities and manage the processes for the site.
• Develop and nurture relationships with external stakeholders and customers including Funeral Directors and local community individuals/groups to develop new / additional business and promote the Crematorium.
• Support group projects as required.
• Ensure facilities, buildings and grounds are maintained and are fit for purpose.
• Competency in all aspects of technical expectations regarding crematory operations including the compliance and legal obligations.

Supporting the team with their duties when required

• Cremation - You'll be fully trained and work towards an accredited FBCA qualification. Involved in the end to end cremation process and ashes management. You'll need to be able bodied as there will be manual handling involved in this process.
• Supporting different funeral traditions - AUM has been specifically designed to accommodate Hindu, Jain and Sikh funeral rites, which can involve different traditions, timings and requirements. You'll be trained and supported to understand and respectfully follow these practices, helping to ensure every family can say goodbye in a way that is meaningful to them. An open mind, willingness to learn and respect for different cultures and traditions are essential.

About you

• An experienced Business Manager and leader of people who loves to develop people and continue learning new things.
• Must have commercial acumen and experience of working with financials including managing site P&L.
• Bereavement sector experience e.g. Funeral Director / Crematorium Manager / Site Manager or similar would be beneficial but not essential.
• Strong people management skills & experience of business management from any industry (many of our Managers have joined from Retail / Hospitality / Care for example and worked as a Retail Manager / Store Manager / Operations Manager / General Manager / Branch Manager / Care Manager) then we can teach you all you need to know about our uniquely personal industry.

Good IT skills

What We Offer

• Discretionary performance bonus
• 33 days holiday (Includes 8 days bank holiday)
• Pension scheme
• Ongoing learning & development
• Smart uniform and PPE provided
• Free parking

We generally advertise vacancies for a minimum of 1 week before reviewing applications. We reserve the right to close the application window sooner if a significant number of applications are received. If you're not contacted, please assume you have been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, feedback is not always possible due to the volume of applications we receive.