General Manager

National Trust; Morpeth; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

The National Trust in the North East seeks an inspiring General Manager for the Heart of Northumberland Property Group, based at Wallington with travel across Northumberland and the North East. You’ll lead a passionate team, set strategy, and deliver top visitor experiences while supporting nature recovery and community engagement.

You don’t need to be a nature specialist; you’ll bring strong operational leadership, collaboration with partners, and a clear, inclusive vision to maximise impact

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading diverse teams and delivering outcomes.
• Strong communication and engagement skills with the ability to influence and build trust.
• Collaborative leadership style with experience coordinating across partners and communities.
• Experience managing budgets, risk and organisational performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspiring leadership across the property group to deliver excellent outcomes for visitors, nature and communities.
• Shape and deliver the portfolio vision, balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery.
• Foster an inclusive, high‑performing culture and champion collaboration across places and disciplines.
• Oversee financial performance, risk management and long‑term planning to ensure resilience and sustainability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Change management

Job description

Summary

We're looking for an inspiring and inclusive leader to become the next General Manager for the Heart of Northumberland Property Group.

The Heart of Northumberland plays a vital role in delivering our strategy of People and Nature Thriving, with a strong focus on nature recovery, exceptional visitor experiences, sustainable income generation and meaningful engagement with local communities and partners.

As General Manager, you'll bring people together behind a shared vision, creating the conditions for teams to thrive and working closely with specialist colleagues, partners, stakeholders and communities.

We're looking for an outstanding leader and collaborator who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational leadership; you don't need to be a technical nature specialist.

Additional Information

• This is a permanent, full-time position
• Based at Wallington, with regular travel across Northumberland and the wider North East, as well as occasional travel to national meetings and networking events
• Some weekend and occasional evening working will be required

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations, you'll be part of a collaborative leadership community across the North region, working alongside fellow General Managers and supported by regional and national specialist teams.

Nature recovery is a significant focus for the Heart of Northumberland Property Group, with ambitious plans and projects that will contribute to the long‑term resilience of the landscapes we care for.

We have recently reintroduced beavers to the landscape at Wallington, have exciting plans to create new woodlands and wetland habitats with an ambition to make more of this special place accessible to current and future generations. You’ll head up an already thriving visitor business with potential for further growth.

Based at Wallington, you'll lead a passionate and dedicated team of staff and volunteers and work closely with a wide range of partners, communities and stakeholders to maximise our impact and deliver great outcomes. Wallington neighbours the Rothbury Estate where you’ll be part of an exciting partnership focussing on nature recovery across this part of Northumberland.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll provide inspiring leadership across the property group, ensuring teams are supported to deliver excellent outcomes for visitors, nature and communities.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, you'll help shape and deliver the vision for the portfolio, balancing strategic priorities with strong operational leadership.

You'll build an inclusive and high‑performing culture where people feel valued, empowered and connected to our purpose. You'll champion collaboration across places, teams and disciplines, ensuring specialist expertise is brought together effectively to achieve shared impact.

You'll also oversee financial performance, risk management, operational delivery and long‑term planning, helping the portfolio remain resilient and sustainable for the future.

Who we're looking for

• Proven experience leading and inspiring diverse teams, creating a culture where people can perform at their best.
• Outstanding communication and engagement skills, with the ability to build trust, influence others and communicate a clear vision.
• A collaborative leadership style, with experience of bringing together colleagues, partners and stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
• Effective strategic and operational leadership skills, including experience of managing budgets, risk and organisational performance.
• Experience of leading through complexity and change, whilst maintaining focus on delivery and outcomes.
• A strong track record of building effective relationships with a wide range of audiences, including local communities, partners, volunteers and external stakeholders.

You do not need to be a nature conservation specialist. We have expert teams in place and are looking for a leader who can bring people together, enable collaboration and create the conditions for success.

Recruitment Process

• Online interviews will take place on Friday 16th October
• Assessment day will take place on Thursday 22nd October
• Candidates should aim to be available for both stages of the recruitment process.

The package

• 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 (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• 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

National Trust place

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth, NE61 4AR

Documents

General Manager - Grade 4.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

• Closing Date: 4th October 2026
• Online Interview Date: 16th October 2026
• Assessment Date: 22nd October 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.