Summary
We’re looking for an experienced and forward-thinking leader to take on the General Manager role for the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire portfolio, covering Ashridge Estate, Dunstable Downs, Shaw’s Corner and so much more. This role incorporates one of our most diverse and high-profile properties, with a clear focus on Restoring Nature, a central pillar of 'People and Nature Thriving'. You’ll guide place-based delivery, inspire teams, and shape a portfolio that demonstrates excellence in nature recovery and visitor engagement across our diverse communities.
What it's like to work here
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations, you will be the senior operational lead and external figurehead for the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire property group. You’ll work closely with partners, specialists and communities, guiding long-term planning across significant, highly designated countryside sites and nationally important cultural places. This property group requires confident leadership across conservation, access, commercial operations and stakeholder engagement. This will be a challenging but also hugely rewarding opportunity to lead teams and influence stakeholders, joining at an exciting point as detailed designs are forming for our two proposed new visitor gateways at Ashridge, plus a tantalizingly close ‘acquisition’ of Pitstone Quarry – another proposed visitor hub, with a commercial landscape to be restored for nature and designed for people to enjoy.
What you'll be doing
You’ll lead the strategic and operational delivery of Ashridge Estate, Dunstable Downs and Shaw’s Corner, working with a skilled Property Group Leadership Team and a wide network of specialists to turn our ambitions for people and nature into everyday practice. You’ll drive landscape‑scale nature recovery, guiding long‑term, innovative plans that protect highly designated places while enabling responsible access and enjoyment. Through strong partnerships and confident leadership, you’ll help secure significant investment and ensure the portfolio becomes a leading example of the Trust’s Restoring Nature ambition. Championing excellent visitor experience will be central to your role. You’ll balance conservation, access and commercial activity across varied places, ensuring welcoming, inclusive and high‑quality experiences that reflect the character and significance of each site. You’ll be a visible and supportive leader, helping teams to focus on the right priorities, build confidence and deliver with clarity across conservation, access and commercial goals. Strong compliance, safety and risk management will underpin everything you do, protecting people, places and the Trust’s reputation. Managing complex budgets, people and projects, you’ll ensure resources are used where they create the greatest benefit and that the property group remains financially resilient and well cared for. As the senior figurehead, you’ll build trusted relationships with partners, volunteers and local communities, strengthening the Trust’s connection to Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Some weekend and occasional evening work will be required.
Who we're looking for
• Robust, strategic and collaborative leader with experience of balancing people, nature, and heritage priorities. • Visible, inclusive and supportive, able to lead through others. • Calm and effective under operational and strategic pressures. • Skilled at focusing resources where they deliver greatest benefit. • Passionate about consistently high-quality visitor experience. • Exceptionally strong communicators able to influence internally and externally. • Committed to fostering inclusive and welcoming teams.
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