Site Manager

National Trust; Padiham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization is seeking an enthusiastic Site Manager for the Gawthorpe Estate in Padiham. You will oversee operations at the Great Barn and offices, ensuring operational excellence and engaging with the community. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership, compliance management skills, and experience in facilities management. This role offers a substantial benefits package including pension scheme, discounts, and flexible working options.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in operational leadership and property management.
• Ability to deliver visitor experience and service excellence.
• Proven facilities management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Great Barn and estate facilities.
• Create a collaborative working environment with staff and volunteers.
• Oversee re-opening of the barn and maximize public benefits.

Skills

Operational leadership

Visitor experience

Compliance and risk management

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Facilities management qualifications or equivalent

Job description

In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy. We’re looking for an enthusiastic and hands‑on site manager to coordinate our operations in the beautiful Gawthorpe Estate which includes the refurbished Great Barn complex, our estate offices and ranger facilities. You will be an organised self‑starter with an understanding of facilities management, excellent relationship building skills, and a passion for working in a historic environment, maximising the benefits of the estate for the local community.

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week. Core hours 09:00‑17:00 with regular weekend and some evening work.

Gawthorpe sits within a group of properties in South Cumbria and Lancashire which includes the Stubbins Estate, Rufford Old Hall, and Sizergh. You will be a key member of the Portfolio Leadership Team, supporting the General Manager to deliver an ambitious plan that focuses on improving access for all and restoring nature.

What you’ll be doing

You will be accountable for day‑to‑day management, visitor operations and compliance for the Great Barn complex, our estate offices and ranger facilities within the Gawthorpe Estate. You will help to create a positive, inclusive and collaborative working environment with staff, volunteers and stakeholders. We have secured funding for the Great Barn re‑roofing project, which will complete in mid‑2026. You will oversee the re‑opening of the barn, develop arrangements to maximise public benefit, and manage booking processes. You will coordinate the facilities we manage, ensuring safety and compliance in line with National Trust values and behaviours. You will work alongside our ranger team on site and with volunteers who support us in looking after our estate.

Minimum criteria

• Operational leadership and property management experience.
• Delivering visitor experience and service excellence.
• Compliance and risk management.
• Team leadership and development.
• Financial and resource management.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication.

Additional criteria for all other applicants

• Strong people skills and proven ability to build relationships, with an understanding of collaboration.
• Proven facilities management experience, preferably in a similar role, with appropriate qualifications or equivalent vocational experience.
• A great connector with a track record of developing strong partnerships with external stakeholders.
• Highly organised and focused, able to deliver departmental planning, budget management and compliance, and support creative events and programming.

About the Estate

The Gawthorpe estate is a much‑loved green space and cultural asset on the River Calder, on the edge of Padiham and Burnley with views of Pendle Hill. It is nationally significant with the Grade 1 listed Elizabethan Hall, Great Barn and Coach House built in the early 1600s, beautiful formal gardens, and 40 acres of woodlands including a hidden Walled Garden and a natural play area. We manage the estate in close partnership with Lancashire County Council, who have leased and operated the Hall and Gardens since 1970, with the Great Barn, Coach House and woodlands managed by a small National Trust estate team.

The package

Substantial pension scheme 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, perks at work discounts (gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts), holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service with a purchase scheme (subject to meeting minimum criteria), flexible working whenever possible, employee assistance programme, free parking at most Trust places.