Property Operations Manager

National Trust; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Property Operations Manager for the South Downs sites: Birling Gap, Monk’s House and Alfriston Clergy House. You’ll steer daily site operations, ensure visitor experience, and lead multi-site teams with a focus on care for nature and community engagement.

You’ll contribute to strategic planning, manage budgets and risk, and occasionally stand in for the General Manager at external partner meetings. Weekend and bank holiday work is required.

Qualifications

• Proven operational management experience and ability to run busy sites.
• Experience leading high performing teams with coaching and feedback.
• Strong risk assessment and risk management capabilities.
• Customer focused with track record of meeting financial targets.
• Excellent communication, influence and negotiation skills.
• Experience budgeting, finances, small projects and contracts.
• Knowledge of health & safety, compliance and emergency procedures.
• Experience in business planning and growing income.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of three sites and visitor operations.
• Lead site teams to deliver service, care for nature and community work.
• Share strategic direction and stand in for General Manager when needed.
• Manage budgets, contracts and key external partnerships.

Job description

Summary

We’re looking for a Property Operations Manager to join our team at the South Downs. You’ll be responsible for the daily operation of three busy and much-loved National Trust sites, Birling Gap, Monk’s House and Alfriston Clergy House. There will also be a number of projects for you to develop and guide.

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the General Manager for the South Downs, you’ll be accountable for the day-to-day management, visitor operations and compliance for Birling Gap, Alfriston Clergy House and Monk’s House.

Working with the Site Managers, Head Gardener, Facilities Manager, Countryside Manager, Commercial Area Manager the General Manager and other colleagues, you’ll contribute to the strategic priorities to End Unequal Access and Restore Nature.

You’ll be part of the duty management rota for your sites. No, one day will ever be the same.

Some weekend, evening and bank holiday working will be required.

What you'll be doing

You’ll work collaboratively with your colleagues, particularly site managers, facilities and community participation to ensure the smooth running of each site. Together, you’ll be making sure that we strike the right balance between welcoming visitors, caring for and restoring nature, and working with members of the local community.

You’ll help your team with their priorities and the confidence to achieve their goals, providing them with the care, resources and direction they need to succeed. In your position in the leadership team, you’ll be involved in the strategic direction of the whole place. From time to time, you’ll stand in for the General Manager to lead the group and attend external partner meetings.

Who we're looking for

• Strong operational management skills, confident managing fast-paced operations
• Demonstrable record of leading high performing teams including performance management, team building and coaching with a focus on delivering excellent service
• Ability to effectively manage operational risk, including how to assess and manage risk
• Deep knowledge of working in a customer facing environment meeting financial and performance targets
• Excellent communication and influencing and negotiating skills, including diplomacy, advocacy and persuasion
• Proven track record of managing budgets, finances, small projects and contracts
• Up to date with health and safety, compliance and emergency procedures
• Familiar with business planning, growing income and managing budgets

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 (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