Visitor Services Manager

Somerset Council; Scotland; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Visitor Services Manager for the Ham Hill Visitor Centre. This leadership role focuses on driving the launch and success of the centre's operations, including catering and retail, while promoting nature and heritage. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in business management, visitor services, and a passion for conservation. Competitive salary and generous employee benefits are included.

Benefits

30 days of annual leave

Employee Assistance services

Flexible working arrangements

Staff discounts in gyms

Generous Pension Scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven record in success of business development.
• Experience managing a dynamic visitor centre or similar business.
• Relevant qualification or equivalent knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Manage team of staff and volunteers running the cafe, retail and exhibitions.
• Point of contact for visitors, liaising with site rangers.
• Develop new opportunities for public engagement with the Visitor Centre.

Skills

Team Management

Customer Service

Business Development

Event Coordination

Education

Qualification in heritage/culture/natural environment

Experience in hospitality, tourism, or business management

Job description

• Salary: £36,124 - £40,476 per annum
• You will be based at the new Ham Hill Visitor Centre, on this Iron Age Hillfort.
• This is a full-time permanent post.
• You will be expected to work some evenings and weekends as the Visitor Centre will be open 7 days a week with some evening events throughout the year.
• 30 days of annual leave

The Visitor Services Manager role is a new entrepreneurial, business focused role, to drive the launch and long-term success of the new Ham Hill Visitor Centre, including the catering and retail activity which are a key part of the visitor experience. You will bring your extensive experience from other facilities, to establish effective and efficient management, administration and day to day running of the centre operation in all aspects including catering and sales, interpretation, events, and the promotion of Ham Hill. Our business aim is for Ham Hill and the Visitor Centre to be financially self-sustaining, to support conservation, learning and access to nature in the long term.

You’ll inspire and care for your team and visitor centre volunteers, encouraging them to give the highest standards of service. You and your team will be focused on helping everyone you meet to have their best possible day, whatever it takes. This is a collaborative role, working with the Ham Hill ranger team to provide the excellent nature experience and visitor experience we aspire to.

We’re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Managing a team of staff and volunteers in the running of the cafe, retail and exhibitions to provide fantastic customer service.
• Providing the main point of contact for visitors to Ham Hill and liaising between the site rangers and the Visitor Centre staff.
• Develop new opportunities for the public’s enjoyment of the Visitor Centre and promotion of Ham Hill’s nature and heritage.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have:

• A relevant qualification in heritage/culture/natural environment subject area or relevant audience focused subject (e.g. hospitality, tourism, business) and/or ability to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience
• Experience of managing a busy and dynamic visitor centre or similar business.
• Proven record in success of business development, to develop an offer to inspire others with passion for nature, culture, art and heritage.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What's in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

Anything else I should know?

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Rachael Whaites, Green Estates Manager on 07949 482956 or email [e-mail] should you wish to discuss the role in more detail.

Interviews will take place week commencing 28th July.

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.

DBS information

This job requires a criminal background check (DBS) via the disclosure procedure.

Apply: Job

Closing date: 21 July 2025 11:59pm