Winton Castle & Estate, half an hour from Edinburgh, offers award-winning hospitality alongside traditional farming and forestry. The estate Caretaker is looking for a new assistant to service events at the castle and elsewhere on the estate and help with security and general property maintenance. The role is key to the smooth running of outdoor activities, private and corporate hospitality, weddings and self-catering holiday properties. The Caretakers are part of a friendly and supportive hospitality team which is, in turn, linked to an integrated network of estate staff.
Job outline
You will be involved in setting up/clearing down of indoor and outdoor events, preparing the Castle, the activity areas and the self-catering holiday accommodation for guests and getting things when they depart. You will also be involved directly with guests and visitors during event operations e.g. assisting at clay pigeon shoots and Highland Games, which may even involve tossing a caber! You will have the natural ability to comfortably interact with and look after guests. Youll assist with larger group events and lead small outdoor activity groups who are all there to have fun and enjoy their visit. Aside from event and activities work, you will assist the caretaker with property and equipment issues and maintenance. The Caretakers play an important role for property conservation, waste, recycling and liaising with contractors and trades when repairs and maintenance jobs are unable to be done in-house. This is a physically active role with regular heavy lifting and trips up and down stone stairs within a 5-storey castle.
Essential:
A people person and team player who enjoys interaction and variety.
Ability to take part in physical outdoor activities with clients e.g. Highland Games
Initiative - even the best planned events and well-maintained properties can change, necessitating common sense with an ability to accommodate changes
Flexibility - hospitality hours can be irregular; you will be able to adapt your working week to suit the business needs
Organised and comfortable with IT for planning and record keeping
Driving licence valid for driving in the UK. A licence to drive a minibus would be a bonus.
Duties:
Operations and Logistics
Setting up& clearing equipment for events, from tables, chairs & bar units to cabling for marquee events, or setting up heavy equipment for outdoor activities.
Assisting with all types of events and activities both indoor and out.
Taking care of deliveries arriving at the Castle and with trades and suppliers arriving.
Assisting with meeting and greeting guests, handling luggage, preparing self-catering properties for guests self-check-in and transporting guests during their stay. The ability to drive a minibus will be a valuable addition.
Repairs and Maintenance
Recycling and commercial waste management.
Recording energy use linked to the biomass boiler and power supplies around the estate.
Source and order parts & equipment required for the jobs in hand. Security, Health and Safety
Testing of intruder & fire alarms and equipment
Ensuring preparedness for emergency procedures. Regular review of health and safety responsibilities
Why Join Winton Estate?
With your talent and enthusiasm, you can make a significant difference to the experience enjoyed by guests.
We have a happy and loyal team helping to run hospitality events alongside colleagues looking after the gardens and grounds, livestock, woodlands, property, finance and HR.
Terms:
Reporting to the Estate Caretaker.
Hours of work will total 40 per week. Days/hours may change from week to week to accommodate the events schedule. An average working week (not including out of hours and specific event work) is Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm with half an hour for lunch with flexible hours on Saturday between 8am to around 6pm depending on the event schedule. Flexibility will be required to adapt these hours when required to assist before, during or after events.
28 days holidays including public holidays (rising to 30 after five years).
Immediate start available. Early applications welcome.
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