Hostel Manager

Hostelling Scotland; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization is seeking a Hostel Manager for Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel in the scenic Highlands. You will oversee daily operations, ensuring excellent customer service and safety standards. Ideal candidates will have experience in hospitality, strong communication skills, and a commitment to health and safety. The position offers live-in accommodation and a chance to immerse yourself in Scotland's outdoor activities, working within a small team to support guests' experiences.

Benefits

Membership of Hostelling Scotland

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension and holidays

Uniform provided

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing role managing a small team.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the hostel.
• Ensure high quality of guest service and safety.
• Implement operational policies and compliance.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Health and safety understanding

Budget management

Flexibility and adaptability

Job description

Hostel Manager - Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel - Accommodation Available - Gairloch, Highland

• Job Reference: GCDHM010
• Position: Hostel Manager
• Location: Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel, (IV21 2DJ)
• Contract: Fixed Term Contract, 11/Mar/2026 until 25/Oct/2026
• Hours Per Week: 40 hpw
• Salary: Competitive
• Accommodation: Live-in accommodation available (Note: a small weekly utility levy applies.)

Are you interested in running a youth hostel, with an adventurous spirit, to help our guests discover and experience the real Scotland through hostelling with us whilst you too can enjoy the buzz of the outdoors taking advantage of hillwalking, climbing and many other outdoor activities right on your doorstep and explore amazing surroundings in your spare time?

With hostels at the foot of mountains, the banks of lochs or a stone’s throw away from the beach each of our hostels offers something different.

As a non‑profit charity with people and communities at our heart, we also give people, who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity, the chance of a well needed break to explore and experience Scotland or to develop their skills for life, learning and work through our youth programmes.

Working with Hostelling Scotland is more than just a job. Join our team to become an Ambassador for Scotland and make a difference!

We are currently seeking a self‑motivated and enthusiastic individual with commitment to provide an excellent customer service at our Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel. On the outskirts of the small village of Gairloch renowned for its beaches, coastal setting. A remote location where a car is useful. Great access to fantastic hillwalking and wild swimming, road and mountain biking adventures.

A small team where you will often work alone so suits an independent individual.

About the role:

Reporting to our Operations Manager, you will:

• provide professional, efficient and effective day‑to‑day business hostel management
• deliver high level of quality service and standard with the guest facility provision being welcoming, clean, comfortable, secure, safe, accessible and compliant, and maintained
• enhance guest experience and exceed their expectations, including dealing with direct guests feedback in a professional manner
• take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety and security of the guests and visitor at all times
• implement strategic and operational plans, development priorities, statutory compliance, risk assessments, policies and procedures to achieve Hostelling Scotland’s charitable aims and objectives

Suitable applicant will have:

• Worked successfully in a customer facing role with experience of managing a small team in similar hospitality surroundings and commitment to excellent customer service
• Excellent, confident communication skill, verbally and in writing, dealing with people at all levels
• High degree of understanding of health and safety at work and practical experience of implementation, monitoring and developing best practice.
• Business acumen including financial and budget management
• Excellent understanding of relevant data protection protocol
• Understanding hostel asset management and contracts and contractor management
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work to changing workload and priorities during busy times

Additional Information:

• You must be able to present evidence of your right to work in the UK prior to start with us.
• You will also need to provide two satisfactory references and apply for a Basic Disclosure.

We can offer:

• Membership of Hostelling Scotland
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension and holidays
• Uniform is provided

Please note: We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.