GENERAL MANAGER – STOKE ROCHFORD HALL - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title / General Manager – Stoke Rochford Management Limited
(c/o National Union of Teachers)
Location / Stoke Rochford Hall, Stoke Rochford, Nr. Grantham, Lincs
Salary & Conditions / £50K+ (negotiable), 2 year fixed term contract, accommodation may also be available.
Job Ref No / GM1
Job Role & Description / The National Union of Teachers has operated its national education and training centre from Stoke Rochford Hall since the late 1970s. The Union owns SRH and 28 acres of formal gardens and parkland on a long lease, with a remaining term of over 950 years. Stoke Rochford Management Limited was established as a limited liability company to promote and manage SRH as a commercial enterprise as well as being the main provider of facilities for the NUT’s national training programme.
This role
The General Manager is the overall operational manager and Chief Officer of Stoke Rochford responsible to the Board for the strategic and day to day management, development and administration of SRH and the activities of Stoke Rochford Management Limited.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The principal responsibilities of this post are to:
  • Lead and shape the development and implementation of a strategy and business plan for SRH, to ensure a sustainable and viable future for the organisation.
  • Lead on all commercial matters, including sales and marketing strategy, to achieve the required level of new clients, existing client retention and existing client growth, in order that SRH delivers its strategy and business plan.
  • Manage and run SRH as a growing and profitable business ensuring that all managers within the Company are accountable in respect of the provision of a high quality service and effective cost control.
  • Build, develop and maintain strong partnership relationships with key stakeholders both within and external to the Union to build support for SRH.
  • Be accountable and report to the Board, the Union’s General Secretary and to the Strategy, Finance and Communications Committee of the Union on the development of the strategy and business plan and other relevant issues, and maintain a comprehensive overview of the organisation and operation of SRH.
  • Provide leadership to all Departments at SRH, ensuring that each Department plans and prioritises its work efficiently and effectively, and develop and maintain a strong, cohesive and committed management team.
  • Manage, monitor, and advise the Board and the Strategy and Finance Committee of the Union on, all property and development matters at SRH.
  • Undertake such other appropriate duties as may be allocated by the Board.
DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
The key day-to-day responsibilities of this post are to ensure:
Customer service and quality control
  • Assistance and good service is given to all guests, in an efficient, friendly and personalised manner, and that all queries, complaints, compliments and comments are acknowledged and dealt with courteously, quickly and effectively, within 24 hours.
  • The establishment of written standards of presentation and service and conduct of regular quality checks, reviewing and agree standards and procedures for the hospitality department and implementing same.
  • The regular conduct of quality checks and record-keeping for discussion with staff.
Facilities and buildings
  • All service areas and facilities are correctly operational, maintenance requirements are monitored and dealt with as necessary including defects, damage, theft, breakages and hazards, and that all SRH equipment and plant is in good working order.
Staffing
  • Staff adhere to standards set out in the departmental manuals and any other applicable procedures, that a positive attitude throughout SRH is actively promoted, and the implementation and active promotion of good practice and a due diligence approach throughout the business.
  • Staff receive statutory and other necessary training, all company personnel procedures are kept up to date and are followed and employment law is complied with.
  • Every team member receives achievement reviews and objectives in five key result areas, and carry out appraisals for staff where required.
  • Recommendations to the Board are made regarding recruitment, promotion and staff development at SRH, and the recruitment of all necessary personnel.

Financial and marketing
  • SRH meets monthly sales and profit targets, and that effective control of revenue and expenditure is maintained to achieve optimum financial efficiency.
  • The production of weekly and monthly SRH business forecasts, annual budget plans and interim forecasts as required.
  • Strict monitoring of cash handling and credit control and that procedures are strictly followed.
  • Preparation of SRH sales and marketing plan and personal assistance with sales activity as required, including training and developing all SRH personnel to be effective sales people.
Communication
  • Planned monthly actions and daily / weekly updates as necessary are communicated effectively to all departments and staff, and reports, returns and any other documentation required are completed accurately and in good time.
Board reporting
  • Recommendations to the Board are made where appropriate to improve efficiency, facilities or reduce costs.
  • The presentation to the Board for consideration of business plans outlining all sales, marketing and business developments.
Compliance
  • All compliance obligations are met, including that statutory fire, health and safety, buildings, licensing, data protection and food hygiene regulations are observed.
  • Confidentiality is maintained of all information gained from working within SRH, including but not limited to general business information, processes, workflow, business operations, customers and suppliers.
  • Safety of the staff and the business at all times.
Personal and general
  • Adherence to all SRH personnel procedures including sickness notification, holiday authorisation and requirements regarding attendance and punctuality.
  • Attendance at SRH during key operational events, and working hours are planned around the overall needs of the business.
  • Attendance and participation at appropriate meetings including one to one meetings with staff members, operational and HOD team meetings.
  • Personal conduct in a manner becoming of a leadership role at all times, and support to other managers in adhering to appropriate codes of conduct in their managerial roles.
  • Full accountability and responsibility for departmental challenges are recognised and problems are addressed in an appropriate timescale.
  • Full awareness of the possibility of crisis management situations, and actions required as a leader in such situations.

Person
Specification / SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
  • Proven ability as an effective operational and strategic manager and leader with the capacity to manage and motivate individual staff and teams.
  • Skills and knowledge on formulating, developing and implementing business and organisational plans.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the hospitality and leisure industry, property and development issues and the education and training sectors.
  • Knowledge and understanding of financial procedures and budgets in order to take effective overall responsibility for those areas.
  • Ability to deal discreetly with sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality.
EXPERIENCE
  • Significant and relevant senior level management, sales and marketing, and business planning experience, including managing others.
  • Experience of dealing with property management and development issues.
QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION
  • Qualification in relevant business / management subjects such as business administration, sales and marketing, human resources management or property and development management.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Support for the aims of teacher trade unionism.
  • Requirement to undertake some work outside normal office hours and to stay overnight at Stoke Rochford and at other locations on some occasions where necessary.
  • Understanding of and commitment to compliance with the requirements of equality law and good practice on equality issues.

Closing Date
To apply / Please send your CV together with a covering letter to send to Kate Miller, Personnel Office, National Union of Teachers, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BD
Further information / Interviews will be held on Friday 19 July 2013 at Stoke Rochford Hall.
For further information on Stoke Rochford Hall, please visit their website