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Job Description

/ November 2014
Role: Isle of Canna – Property Manager / Business Function: Properties & Visitor Services
Reports to:Assistant Director, Countryside & Islands / Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band E: £25,920
Location: Balnain House, Inverness / Type of Contract: Permanent, full-time
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack.

CONTEXT

The islands of Canna and Sanday are a very special place.

Although part of the monastery of Iona with possible early Christian links to as early as the 7th century, the archaeological timeline suggests a much earlier history. The sheltered bay between the two islands has long been known as a refuge from storms, and its presence in the Minch between the mainland and the Uists suggests a central role in the politics of the region.

Naturally, the island is a mecca for seabirds, which enjoy the remoteness, as do Golden Eagles and Sea Eagles, who grace the skies with their huge wingspans. The land is fertile, with contrasting geology in terms of the rugged basalt columns that dominate the landscape.

Dr John Lorne Campbell bought Canna in 1938 from Robert Thom, a Glasgow-based industrialist who in turn purchased the islands from Donald McNeil in 1827. The Thoms invested huge effort into the development of Canna, and were responsible for Canna House and other notable structures such as Tighard, currently the island’s guesthouse. However, it was Dr Campbell and his wife, Margaret Fay Shaw, who left their modern mark when they moved into Canna House and remained there until his death in 1996 and her death in 2004. Together they built up a unique collection of papers, audio recordings and publications which preserved what was then a disappearing Gaelic language and tradition.John Lorne Campbell donated the Island to the National Trust for Scotland (the Trust) in 1981.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To develop and manage the Isle of Canna in line with the Trust’s policies, priorities, performance standards and targets to ensure that enjoyment of the property by visitors and members is maximised and that conservation, commercial and financial objectives are achieved.

The Manager of the Isle of Canna is the Trust’s managerial representative for the island, building trust and confidence in our organisation and its objectives through sound management and delivery across a wide spectrum of activities. S/he can expect to be “hands-on” dealing with operational issues when on-site, as well as investigating and planning for initiatives that help to keep the Trust at the forefront of conservation, and a leader in visitor/heritage management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Planning and operational delivery:
  • Acting as lead, working with the Assistant Director, in review of the Property Statement for the island;
  • Translation of the Property Statement objectives, relevant specialist operational plans and where appropriate funding partner objectives, into an Annual Operating Plan;
  • Management and monitoring of the delivery of the Annual Operating Plan and individual property staff’s personal objectives to ensure that the objectives are delivered on time and within budget.
  • People management:
  • Recruitment, induction, development and management of the Property team of permanent and seasonal staff and volunteers such that they understand and are equipped to fulfill their roles to the standards required and that they feel valued, respected and supported;
  • Engagement of all stakeholders at the property (e.g. members, visitors, neighboring island communities, the local Isle of Canna Community Development Trust [IoCCDT], Trust Members’ Centres, funding partners and affinity organisations);
  • Management of services provided by third parties (e.g. suppliers, contractors, franchisees) such that they adhere to Trust policy and standards and suchthat they ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, visitors and others;
  • An understanding and experience of working with rural communities will be essential and an ability to translate their wishes to the Trust and likewise to take the Trust’s policies and procedures to the island and implement them.
  • Direct management of the heritage:
  • Conservation management (including maintenance, repair, security and presentation) of all heritage assets at the property, in line with the Trust’s Conservation Principles and with the advice and support of specialist/advisory staff and volunteers;
  • Development and promotion of the property’s use and potential as a life-long learning resource, notably the development of an archive centre/study base, in line with the Trust’s Education Principles and with the advice and support of specialist/advisory staff and volunteers;
  • Marketing and promotion of the Property and the work of the Trust with the aim of engaging as wide an audience as possible and achieving or exceeding membership targets.
  • Business Management & Administration:
  • Achievement of the Property’s financial and commercial objectives, to include preparing and monitoring the Property’s annual income and expenditure budgets and performance targets as well as any one-off project budgets, taking remedial action at an early stage where variances are identified. This may include pursuing external funding (grants, sponsorship, etc);
  • Ensuring that the administration of the property is carried out within Trust procedures, including all relevant reporting relating to staff, visitors, health and safety and finances and general correspondence/record-keeping etc.
  • Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) Management:
  • Demonstrating responsibility and accountability for all H&S activity on the property, embedding the Trust’s Safe System of Work and through active management of procedures (Risk Assessment, CoSHH, HACCP, RIDDOR, reporting), people including staff, volunteers and visitors, tools/equipment, and the site itself;
  • Demonstrating responsibility and accountability, such that all property working practices are in line with the Trust’s Environmental Policy and being mindful of the Trust’s obligations to minimise the impact on the environment, through e.g. efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling and the disposal of waste, with due consideration given to appropriate use of transport.

This role is one for which the duties/responsibilities/accountabilities of the role require the post holder to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which replaces the ‘Enhanced Disclosure’ check and is administered by Disclosure Scotland.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

Technical Knowledge & Qualifications

No formal qualifications are required, but degree-level (or equivalent) knowledge/understanding of heritage management or business management will be highly desirable.

People Management

Ensuring a welcome and provision of facilities for approx 5000 visitors per annum during the principal season (Easter to end October) of mainly yachtsmen, day visitors from the ferry, holiday cottages and campers;

Direct line management of:

  • House Manager/Archivist– Responsible for the upkeep and conservation of the Canna House collections and for welcoming visitors to Canna House;
  • Senior Ranger - Responsible for holiday cottages, the pier operation, habitat survey, monitoring and maintenance and all guided tour provision relating to cultural history, archaeology and the natural environment;
  • Farm Manager - Although not employed by the Trust the Farm Manager and assistant are contracted to the Trust to deliver the day to day management of the farm and its livestock;

Working closely with specialist Trust staff (e.g. in finance, commercial, conservation, marketing, health & safety, human resources) based at regional and central support bases, to ensure Trust policies and standards are implemented;

Occasional leading and participation in multi-disciplinary project teams consisting of in-house staff and external consultants/contractors.

Financial Management

Gross income from the operation of the property is approximately £186,000 per annum from: holiday cottages, farming subsidies and rents.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

To undertake the role successfully, the following is required:

Qualifications:

Graduate or equivalent business/commercial experience required;

A post-graduate diploma in heritage management or heritage/business management (or similar) will be an advantage;

A full, clean driving licence for driving in the UK is essential.

Personal Attributes:

Have empathy with the conservation objectives of the Trust and have an active interest in them;

Positive outlook and is able to influence change and persuade others to join them through excellent communications and developing commercial and professional relationships;

A self starter, who is assertive, highly motivated and has the drive to achieve the task;

Proactive and fully aware of their role and responsibilities, and is keen to achieve their goals and objectives;

Has self belief and resilience, along with a will to achieve the task.

Experience:

Experience of managing or supervising at a cultural, heritage and/or visitor attraction is required; Experience of operating a business while improving commercial performance and achieving business development is required;

Skills and Knowledge:

Commercial

A clear understanding of how the property actively contributes to the Trust’s commercial undertaking; has the knowledge and skill required to generate appropriate commercial initiatives; be competent in a multi-stakeholder environment and in dealing with the wider community; is able to influence and hold the team accountable for contributing to the Trust’s commercial work and the achievements of set targets and budgets. This includes membership sales; selling and promoting NTS products and services; functions and events.

Safety, Health and Environment

Actively promotes and manages a safe working environment where the health, safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors come first. Is aware of the impact the property has on the environment and takes steps to minimise this. Ensures that the Safe Systems of Work is maintained and it is up to date; and is mindful of relevant HSE guidelines and regulations.

People Management & Leadership

Is proactive in the management and leadership of their team both day to day and in the longer term. As part of this, aims to inspire the team to achieve their objectives and holds self and others to account as appropriate. Maximises the use and management of volunteers where appropriate and encourages positive and flexible team-working at the property.

Demonstrates the following skills:

  • Managing Challenging Behaviour;
  • Recruitment and Interviewing;
  • Performance Management;
  • Coaching and Mentoring;
  • Human Resources awareness ;
  • Change Management;
  • Promotion of a positive and “can do” culture.

Financial Management

Has accurate and up to date awareness of property’s financial position and how this relates to the Trust’s financial sustainability. Proactively and prudently manages their budget and actively seeks new and better ways to generate income while minimising and managing costs. Works in partnership with the Trust’s financial team to share and gain knowledge and thoroughly interrogate the accounts.

Visitor Experience/Management

Delivers and supports excellent internal and external customer service via themselves and the team. Actively promotes a customer focussed attitude and culture at the property.

Conservation Knowledge

Has a clear understanding of the Conservation Principles and how they underpin our Conservation work. Has a broad understanding of all aspects of conservation at the Trust and more specifically at their property and works in partnership with specialist departments and advisers (e.g. collections/gardens/countryside etc) as required.

Stakeholder Management

Seeks out and fosters positive and productive relationships including commercial relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Promotes a partnership approach to community relations via themselves and the team.

NTS Strategy knowledge

Further to induction, attains an understanding of the Trust’s Core Purpose; Guiding Principles; Vision; Strategic Objectives and Priorities as outlined in the 5-Year strategy. Further, is able to link the strategy and yearly NTS Corporate Plans into local plans and objectives and specifically the project business plan for Hill of Tarvit. Actively and positively communicates this strategy to the whole team to encourage engagement and support.

Planning and Projects

Has the skills and knowledge required to develop the local operational plans that support organisational and agreed objectives and property’s business cycle working alongside Group Manager. Has an understanding of basic Project Management principles. Effectively manages their own priorities and personal effectiveness through appropriate planning and personal management.

Communication

Has a high level of communication skills and constantly seeks to engage in a positive manner with the team, customers, visitors, contractors, suppliers and local community stakeholders. Provides positive and proactive communications including regular team and individual staff meetings and ensures relevant information is cascaded.

Local knowledge

Being outwardly looking, while striving to gain, constantly develop and share, knowledge of the property, including the local community and environment, in terms of what it has to offer to our customers and visitors and how conservation is supported to provide back up support to his/her individual managers and their teams.

An empathy with Highland /Island / Gaelic culture and history would be highly advantageous.

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.

Applications

Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh, EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via , by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on8 December 2014. Interviews are likely to be held at Balnain House, Invernesson 15 January 2015.