Funeral Branch Manager
(Internal job title: Senior Funeral Director - this is the contractual title)
Location: Selim Smith Funeral Directors, Covering Cheltenham and Gloucester
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum
Full Time | Includes on-call rota
Lead with care. Lead with standards. Lead with purpose.
We are looking for a compassionate, capable and commercially aware Funeral Branch Manager to lead our branches in Bristol.
Internally, this role carries the contractual title of Senior Funeral Director, reflecting its seniority and responsibility within our funerals business.
This is a leadership role for someone who combines empathy with operational strength. You'll guide families through some of the most important moments of their lives while leading your team to deliver consistently high standards, regulatory excellence and sustainable branch performance.
Why This Role Matters
Every branch is built on trust - trust from families, colleagues and the wider community.
As Funeral Branch Manager, you are the standard-setter. Around 70% of your time will be spent delivering and overseeing funeral services. The remaining time will focus on leading people, maintaining operational control, managing compliance and ensuring the branch performs both commercially and professionally.
You will be responsible for: Leading and developing your team
Maintaining high service and care standards
Ensuring regulatory compliance and audit readiness
Supporting at-need performance and funeral plan conversations
Building a strong, visible local presence
Your Impact
Lead and Support Funeral Services Deliver complex funeral arrangements with professionalism and empathy
Guide families clearly through options and next steps
Run pre-funeral briefings and oversee service delivery
Observe arrangements and funerals to uphold care standards
Manage and Develop the Team Lead recruitment, onboarding and ongoing 1:1 performance conversations
Manage rotas, holiday and sickness cover
Ensure regulatory training and compliance standards are met
Embed accountability, professionalism and ownership
Support succession planning and development
Drive Operational Excellence Oversee branch standards and high-quality care of the deceased
Maintain accurate records and legal documentation
Ensure inspection readiness and regulatory compliance
Monitor costs including overtime and hire cars
Identify service improvements and implement change
Build Local Presence Lead local marketing activity
Develop relationships with care homes, celebrants and community groups
Represent the branch at memorials and events
Promote services in a supportive, consultative way
What We're Looking For
We welcome applications from candidates with: Experience leading and developing teams in service-led environments
A strong track record of maintaining standards and compliance
Confidence operating within regulated or policy-driven environments
Commercial awareness and comfort working with targets and cost control
Strong organisational and documentation skills
Calm decision-making in emotionally sensitive situations
A full UK driving licence
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and on-call
Funeral sector experience is desirable but not essential.
We are open to candidates from other regulated, service-focused industries where high standards, community engagement and people leadership are central.
What We Offer Comprehensive induction and structured development
Opportunity to complete professional qualifications via our apprenticeship programme
Bonus potential
Life assurance cover
Employee Assistance Programme
30-33 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
Contributory pension scheme
Relocation package considered
If you are ready to lead with empathy, set clear standards and build a branch that families trust, we would love to hear from you.
FCA Statement
The FCA regulates us so that some roles may be subject to background checks.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We know that diverse teams make better decisions, build better products, and create a more inclusive and better place to work. Whoever you are, wherever you're from, and whatever your life looks like, we'd love to hear from you. And if there's anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know.
Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate, and no fees will be payable.
We reserve the right, depending on the number of applications received, to close or extend the closing dates for positions. Therefore, we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
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