National Park Centre Manager

We are now looking for a National Park Centre Manager to join us on a permanent, part-time basis, working 28 hours per week during the summer season and ad-hoc hours paid by timesheet during the winter season.

During the summer season, the Centre operates on a rota basis over 7 days per week, where one working day is 7 hours. The Centre is open 10.00am - 5.00pm, and staff are employed 15 minutes either side of the opening and closing times for preparation and close-down of the Centre, with a half-hour unpaid lunch break.

During the winter season, in November, the Centre is open for weekends only (10.00am - 3.00pm). From late February to the start of the summer season, we are open daily during half-term and then at weekends until the start of the summer season (both 10.00am - 3.00pm).

The summer season usually runs from late March or the start of the Easter holidays (whichever is earliest) to the end of the autumn half term in late October/early November., This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced visitor services or retail manager with strong people leadership skills to join our dedicated organisation.

You'll have the chance to help visitors connect more deeply with one of the UK's most distinctive landscapes, bringing Exmoor's wildlife, heritage and communities to life through engaging experiences, events and activities.

What's more, with 28 hours per week during the summer season and lighter, ad-hoc hours during winter, the role offers valuable seasonal flexibility and more space in your year for the things you love.

So, if you're ready to lead a welcoming visitor hub, bring Exmoor's story to life and enjoy a working pattern shaped around the seasons, read on and apply today.

The Role

As the National Park Centre Manager, you will oversee the running of our National Park Centre in Dunster, ensuring an engaging visitor experience while growing commercial activities.

Managing the Centre's daily operations, facilities, staff and volunteers, you will ensure visitors receive a welcoming and informative service whilst overseeing retail activities, stock management, finances and health and safety.

You will also develop exhibitions, events and activities that encourage visitors to explore and appreciate Exmoor's landscapes, wildlife and heritage. Working with local businesses and visitor attractions, you will also promote the Centre, increase visitor numbers and identify opportunities to generate income.

Additionally, you will:

- Recruit, train and supervise staff and volunteers
- Manage staff rotas and monitor performance
- Prepare sales, visitor and operational reports
- Deliver talks and activities for school and community groups
- Respond to visitor enquiries and promote local events

Experience of managing a visitor centre, retail outlet or similar, including staff and volunteer management and working with the public in a service capacity
- Experience of marketing events and promoting a venue/service via traditional and social media outlets
- Experience of working with external suppliers and activity providers
- Knowledge of Health and Safety relevant to a visitor/public environment, with experience of compiling risk assessments
- Numeracy skills and cash handling experience, with experience of operating a till and reconciling end-of-day takings
- Knowledge of the Exmoor area

Exmoor National Park is a unique and beautiful part of the country. Our vision is that Exmoor remains a beautiful landscape, leading the response to climate change and nature recovery, a welcoming place for all, as well as a great place to live, work and do business., Webrecruit and Exmoor National Park Authority are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

Salary of £33,673 - £37,563 per annum (pro rata)
- Generous annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Paid sickness, parental and compassionate leave, plus time off for dependants
- Time off to attend medical appointments
- Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and a 24/7 confidential helpline