Summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Visitor Operations and Experience Manager to join our Property Group Leadership Team in West Yorkshire. Specifically, this post will cover East Riddlesden Hall, Hardcastle Crags and Marsden Moor and sits within the wider West Yorkshire property group which also includes Nostell (Wakefield.) You'll travel across all three West Yorkshire properties and on occasion will need to travel to Nostell for meetings.
With a focus on ‘Ending Unequal Access’ and ‘Restoring Nature’ (NT strategic priorities), you'll have the chance to develop an outstanding visitor offer and diversify audiences in one of the most high-profile portfolios of Europe’s largest conservation charity, looking after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy.
What it's like to work here
Working with key partners internally and externally, you’ll open up the history, stories and natural beauty for visitors to enjoy across all three West Yorkshire sites, delivering high quality experiences appealing to diverse audiences. You’ll design, deliver, promote and lead for our products and programming, championing accessibility and advocating our ‘Everyone Welcome’ values across our sites and with our wider communities.
To be honest the job can be a pressured one, but it’s a beautiful place to work and we love to share the pleasures of East Riddlesden Hall, Hardcastle Crags and Marsden Moor with our visitors. You'll take part in duty management, deputising for the General Manager (including working regular weekends and Bank Holidays) as well as leading the visitor operation and experience, the Weddings and Events team, representing the National Trust with local partners and councils, and setting our strategic direction.
What you'll be doing
As a key member of the property group leadership team, you’ll both lead and oversee day-to-day visitor operations and experience, ensuring everyday excellence to accommodate a diverse range of needs. You'll have budgetary responsibility, whilst maximising income generation from admissions, events, membership and the unique Weddings and Events business at East Riddlesden Hall. This supports investment in conservation across our West Yorkshire sites.
You will also support the General Manager by building and holding key external relationships, for example with local councils and partners, all with the aim of delivering our NT strategy.
You’ll create and lead for a positive, inclusive, diverse and productive work environment for your team, which delivers on visitor welcome and experience, community involvement, weddings and events, marketing and more. You’ll lead and manage the recruitment, coaching and staff development within our excellent visitor facing team. You’ll also manage volunteers, whose time and energy enables us to open across a seven-day week, all year round.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
1. experienced in running visitor operations and high‑quality experiences
2. confident in working productively with a variety of partners, individuals and organisations
3. someone who keeps calm and focused in a busy working environment
4. adept at leading operations, including rotas, budgets and planning, across a complex site
5. a collaborative leader who takes time to support people in your team and beyond
Additional criteria for all other applicants:
6. experienced in organising events and exhibitions supported by targeted marketing
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