Summary
We’re looking for an inspiring leader to be the driving force behind Ham House. The General Manager leads from the front, encouraging and empowering their team and covering a wide range of operations.
This is your chance to inspire and motivate your team across six London sites. As well as Ham House, the property group includes five smaller properties; Fenton House, Carlyle’s House, 2 Willow Road, Red House, Petersham meadows.
In this role, you’ll be turning strategy into reality. You’ll build an inclusive culture where everyone can feel they belong, the people who work and volunteer here, the people who regularly visit and love it, and the people who’ve never been before and don’t yet know that this place is for them too.
The advertised salary includes the Outer London Weighting Allowance of £3,315 per annum (pro-rated if you are part time).
What it's like to work here
Reporting to the regionally based Assistant Director of Operations, you’ll lead the portfolio team across the Ham property group, representing the organisation with key partners and stakeholders. This role includes some weekend and occasional evening working.
The 17th century treasure, Ham House, is situated on the banks of the Thames, a stroll along the river from Richmond station. Boasting an internationally significant collection, exquisite gardens, Orangery coffee shop and meadow nearby, it is no surprise this is the most visited pay for entry site for the Trust in London. An increasing awareness of our local audience and their needs will be shaping the direction at Ham, as we look to grow our supporters and assert ourselves in the competitive London cultural landscape.
What you'll be doing
You'll manage several departmental heads, each with their own areas of focus such as the garden, facilities, visitor experience, curatorship and the care of precious art and objects. You’ll be working with regional teams covering commercial operations and the let estate, and with the Trust’s internal consultancy: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. You'll encourage your team to succeed across all their areas, and to build the funds to invest back into improvements and conservation work here. And you'll build plans for this place, working with others to give it a future that can benefit everyone.
You'll provide inspirational leadership for staff and volunteers, and you’ll inspire them to create the best possible all-round experience for everyone who visits. You'll manage risk and compliance, and you’ll champion the conservation of nature, buildings and precious collections.
You'll be working with all kinds of people and making things happen. As an 'expert generalist', you'll have a diverse remit. We have high visitor and revenue targets to meet, so you'll be experienced with finances, people and projects.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
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. experience leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams, including volunteers and specialists
2. proven success in developing and delivering long-term plans aligned to organisational goals and priorities
3. understands how to manage budgets, generate income, and deliver financial targets
4. demonstrable ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
5. understands and applies health & safety, compliance, and risk management practices
6. experience leading change and delivering projects that improve performance or outcomes
7. demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and creating relevant, accessible experiences for diverse audiences
Criteria for all other applicants:
8. proven success in developing and delivering long-term plans aligned to organisational goals and priorities
9. experience leading change and delivering projects that improve performance or outcomes
10. experience leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams, including volunteers and specialists
11. someone who understands the expectations of people who visit places, and how to give them consistently excellent service
12. confident in managing operational risk, understanding the fundamental need for compliance and knowing what it means to hold others to account
13. a skilled communicator, who can build strong relationships within diverse teams, both internally and externally
14. a leader for inclusion, who finds ways to create an inclusive culture.
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
•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