General Manager

WWT; Tarlscough; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Free entry to wetland centres

Free parking

Cycle to work

Pension

Life assurance

Job summary

WWT Martin Mere, near Ormskirk in Lancashire, seeks an outstanding leader to manage and drive performance at a major visitor attraction and wetland reserve. You will lead 35 staff and 180 volunteers, delivering financial, visitor engagement and conservation objectives under the Wetlands are the way 2030 strategy.

The role includes managing trading areas, living collections, and a busy learning and events programme, with close collaboration with Headquarters.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree standard or equivalent.
• Demonstrable and successful operations experience within a large visitor attraction or similar operation.
• Demonstrable leadership skills, able to positively lead, motivate and continually develop teams and individuals, including volunteers.
• Demonstrable ability to create a positive work culture in line with an organisation’s agreed values and behaviours, work collaboratively at all levels and lead by example.
• Demonstrable and successful people management with experience in recruitment, training, motivation and performance management.
• Demonstrable experience of development and implementation of financial management plans and commercial opportunities.
• Demonstrable understanding of methods of planning work programmes and budget controls.
• Experience with managing trading operations specifically catering and retail.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the centre and reserve.
• Manage trading areas including catering and retail.
• Deliver financial, visitor engagement and conservation targets.
• Develop and lead a high-performing diverse team.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

People management

Education

Degree

Job description

Closing Date: 06/09/2026

Location: Martin Mere

Salary: £61,400 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent

About The Role

We are seeking an outstanding leader to manage and drive the performance of our incredible visitor attraction and wetland nature reserve near Ormskirk, in Lancashire.

This is a genuine opportunity to shape the site, not just run it. Reporting into WWT’s central operations leadership, you will take full responsibility for the day to day operations leading a dedicated team of more than 35 staff and 180 volunteers to deliver our financial, visitor engagement and conservation objectives for the centre, contributing to the delivery of WWT’s Wetlands are the way 2030 strategy.

WWT Martin Mere offers a unique introduction to wetland wildlife and an amazing day out where visitors can experience the spectacle of tens of thousands of ducks, geese and swans during the winter months, and in summer immerse themselves in wetlands teaming with life. Family visitors can enjoy wetland adventure play areas and Europe’s longest stretch of stepping stones.

We are looking for an inspiring leader to deliver ambitious financial, conservation and visitor engagement strategies. You will be required to develop a diverse team of staff and volunteers, attract a growing number of visitors and members, and provide them with an unforgettable experience on each and every visit.

The role includes management of the trading areas, incorporating retail and catering; oversight of the living collection, which includes birds and otters, and the nature reserve which as a Ramsar Wetland Site is of international importance; a thriving learning programme, and a growing events and engagement programme. The role requires close working with Headquarters to help implement WWT’s Wetlands are the way - 2030 strategy.

This is a full time position working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days from 7, including weekend and bank holiday working.

About You

To be a success in this role you must be an experienced and professional manager and a great leader, comfortable with both operational delivery, visible on the floor leadership and the ability to input strategically at the highest level. You should be strong on financial and business numeracy, comfortable owning the P&L and able to deliver against ambitious and motivating targets while maintaining day-to-day performance.

You will have impeccable standards for cleanliness, health & safety and the visitor experience and a track record for building team performance and morale.

It is a busy and varied role, ideally suited to someone looking to expand their current responsibilities into a broader remit: you might currently be running multiple departments within a larger organisation, or perhaps leading a smaller attraction. Your wealth of experience and proven track record will ideally have been gained within a visitor attraction and you are now looking for your next role to be part of an organisation that has a very special place in people’s hearts.

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree standard or equivalent
• Demonstrable and successful operations experience within a large visitor attraction or similar operation
• Demonstrable leadership skills, able to positively lead, motivate and continually develop teams and individuals, including volunteers
• Demonstrable ability to create a positive work culture in line with an organisation’s agreed values and behaviours, work collaboratively at all levels and lead by example
• Demonstrable and successful people management with experience in recruitment, training, motivation and performance management
• Demonstrable experience of development and implementation of financial management plans and commercial opportunities
• Demonstrable understanding of methods of planning work programmes and budget controls
• Experience with managing trading operations specifically catering and retail

Please view the full job description for all the responsibilities and specifications for the role.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) - this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.