Harvington Hall

HARVINGTON HALL

KIDDERMINSTER

HALL MANAGER

Impending retirement has created a rare opportunity for a talented individual to take charge of this Tudor Catholic Manor House in early 2016. A Grade 1 listed building of great historic significance, it is owned by the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and the Hall and Malt House have been meticulously restored in the past 20 years.

Responsibilities include the development of revenue from admissions, school visits, tea room, shop and special events, the planning and promotion of the annual programme, management of volunteers, security and upkeep of the buildings and grounds, and the health and safety of staff and visitors.

Applicants must possess the skills and experience to manage staff and all aspects of a thriving historic house as well as knowledge of Elizabethan history and a flexible attitude. It is a requirement of the post to live in the Hall.

A full job description and person specification

can be found on the Hall’s website,

Please send a letter of application and CV, by post or email to:-

The Chairman of the Management Committee, Harvington Hall, Harvington, Kidderminster DY10 4LR or

Closing date for applications is the 16th Oct 2015

HARVINGTON HALL

HALL MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION

SALARY RANGE £26k TO £28k

MAIN PURPOSE

To reside in, and be responsible for the smooth running of Harvington Hall including the maintenance and development of income through visits, events and educational programmes, the management of the shop, tea room, volunteers and health and safety, plus all aspects of historic house and grounds security, maintenance and restoration.

RESPONSIBLE TO

The Chairman of the Management Committee and the Archdiocesan Trustees.

RESPONSIBLE FOR

Tea Room Manager and staff

Volunteers/Guides

Cleaning and gardening staff

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Maintain and develop appropriate financial systems, to ensure that all income, costs and payments are checked and recorded, and reconciled against budgets in a format agreed with the Management Committee, and banked according to the agreed procedures. Ensure compliance with charity commission, PAYE, VAT and other requirements together with the provision of regular headline and detailed statistical information.

2.Become fully conversant with the history, layout and contents of the Hall, Malt House, Georgian Chapel and grounds in order to identify any maintenance or security issues and to advise on tour contents and to offer help and advice to volunteers and visitors.

3.Plan and organise the annual programme of events and ensure the programme is communicated via leaflets and regularly updated on the website and the local media through press releases. Ensure the administration of the office is efficient so that all bookings for groups and schools and all general enquiries are handled in an effective and speedy manner and rotas for volunteers and guides are prepared well in advance.

4.Identify any educational, catering, conferencing or other business opportunity to market the Hall’s facilities in order to improve turnover and the reputation of the Hall. Plan and manage special events for bank holidays and weddings to ensure responsible staff and volunteers are in place and deal with any issues arising including any licensing or car parking matters.

5.Oversee management of the Tea Room to ensure a high standard of food and service, and monitor the operation of the Hall shop, including acting as Company Secretary, to ensure that the range, quality and quantity of stock is in keeping with ethos of the Hall and that income and profits meet budgeted levels. Ensure the recruitment of casual staff for the tea room as required and that their hours are fully recorded, to enable the correct payments to be made in accordance with statutory requirements.

6.Maintain a sufficient complement of competent and willing volunteers and guides through regular meetings, training events, newsletters and general support. Foster and develop the Friends of Harvington Hall group through regular communications.

7.Responsible for all health and safety matters in the Hall, in order to ensure that all risks are assessed, regular audits carried out and ongoing meetings with staff and volunteers recorded to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

8.Ensure that annual maintenance contracts and utility supplies are reviewed and renewed, and that cleaning and gardening duties are carried out to the correct standard in the Hall and gardens. Plan with architects and building firms for ongoing restoration work including wall paintings etc

9.Act as residential caretaker to ensure that the security of the building is maintained at all times and fixtures, fittings and contents are protected, and cash banked each week as required. To report any serious structural defects to the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Management Committee so that appropriate action can be taken quickly

10.Maintain up to date Hall notice board displays with user friendly information and regular stocks of guide books

11.To prepare and present written reports to the relevant Committee meetings to facilitate the decision making process. To work closely with the Management Committee to ensure that all matters relating to the management of the Hall, and appropriate enquiries and requests are dealt with speedily and effectively

HARVINGTON HALL

HALL MANAGER

PERSON SPECIFICATION

1.SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Essential Criteria

(a)An understanding of and sympathy with the Catholic faith and recusant history.

b)Proven planning and organising skills and the ability to plan and promote an annual programme and coordinate large numbers of volunteers

(c)The ability to think independently and work on own initiative with limited supervision.

Desirable Criteria

(a)Familiarity with issues arising from managing a shop and tea room

2.QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION

Essential Criteria

a)The ability to analyse financial data and relevant operational issues, to be able to respond and present ideas and options clearly and coherently both in writing and orally.

Desirable Criteria

a)A degree or professional qualification

b) Health and safety qualification.

c) Use of IT knowledge and skills to improve business data and enhance customer experience

EXPERIENCE

Essential Criteria

a)Proven experience in managing a multi dimensional operation and dealing effectively with members of the public.

b) Experience of committee procedures and working with trustees and committees

Desirable Criteria

a)Evidence of a genuine interest in history

b)The ability to provide training and guidance to volunteers

c)Understanding of security and building maintenance/restoration matters

4.SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Essential Criteria

(a) The ability to work under pressure and to respond to new initiatives and requests for information.

(b) The requirement to reside in the North Tower of the Hall