Description
We are seeking an outstanding leader to manage and drive the performance of our award-winning visitor attraction and wetland nature reserve in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.
This is a genuine opportunity to shape this amazing attraction, not just run it. Reporting into WWT's central operations leadership, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day operations leading a dedicated team of more than 60 staff and 250 volunteers to deliver our ambitious financial, visitor engagement, and conservation objectives for the centre.
In addition, you will lead an exciting master-planning process working in collaboration with colleagues in the operations directorate, central leads, and centre staff to deliver a plan that sets the site up for success over the next decade and unlocks significant funding.
WWT Slimbridge offers an amazing day out and a wonderful introduction to wetland wildlife, and it is your responsibility to provide an unforgettable experience on each and every visit. Visitors can experience the spectacle of tens of thousands of wild birds, immerse themselves in wetlands teeming with life, and get close to some of the world's most amazing wetland birds and mammals.
The site features adventure and water play areas, canoe safari, interactive exhibits, and walk-through aviaries in addition to over 800 acres of wetland reserve with wildlife viewing hides, including a three-storey tower with magnificent views of the Severn Estuary.
The role has responsibility for all aspects of the site - working closely with the centre's senior leadership team, you will deliver excellence across the areas of trading and admissions, visitor experience and engagement, learning and marketing, living collections, and the wetland reserve - a Ramsar wetland site, Special Protection Area (SPA), and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on account of its internationally important wetlands.
WWT's charity headquarters are also based at the Slimbridge site, and you will work closely with the team, jointly contributing to the delivery of WWT's Wetlands are the way 2030 strategy.
Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the centre
- Deliver ambitious financial, visitor engagement, and conservation objectives
- Lead a dedicated team of staff and volunteers
- Develop and implement a master plan for the site
- Work closely with the centre's senior leadership team
Requirements
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent
- Demonstrable and successful operations experience within a large visitor attraction or similar operation
- Demonstrable leadership skills, able to positively lead, motivate, and continually develop teams and individuals, including volunteers
- Demonstrable ability to create a positive work culture in line with an organisation's agreed values and behaviours, work collaboratively at all levels, and lead by example
- Demonstrable and successful people management with experience in recruitment, training, motivation, and performance management
- Demonstrable experience of identifying and developing commercial opportunities
- Demonstrable experience of the development and implementation of financial management plans, work programmes, and budget controls
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering a master plan or strategic plan and project management experience
Benefits
- £61,400 per annum salary