General Manager

Summary

You'll be responsible for the overall strategic and operational leadership of one of the National Trust's busiest visitor businesses, with over 350,000 visitors per annum. The role is centered on heritage, nature, and farming. You will manage a Property Leadership Team across diverse departments, inspiring and motivating your team to transform strategy into daily operations.

What it's like to work here

This impressive mansion and home farm is the only National Trust property that manages all its visitor attractions and activities in-house. Visitor numbers have increased rapidly in recent years and Wimpole is regarded as one of our most successful properties in terms of growth and innovation. Work at Wimpole is fast paced, but flexible working conditions are available.

Reporting to the regionally based Assistant Director of Operations, you'll be the figurehead of the Wimpole Estate, holding key partner relationships on behalf of the organisation, both internally and externally. You'll lead the team operating across a complex and dynamic commercial visitor operation, with exciting plans to deliver more for nature and climate.

You'll have the opportunity to have significant impact on the estate's 50 year master plan development and its delivery, ensuring the estate is more financially secure and cared for for future generations.

What you'll be doing

Leading a team of department heads and working with a large network of national and regional specialists, you'll develop new ways to engage supporters, deliver great experiences, meet conservation requirements, and commercially diversify the estate. You'll support departments in setting priorities, balancing access and conservation, and providing the resources and inspirational leadership needed to deliver strategy. A strong culture of risk management and compliance underpins all work, and you will ensure operations are safe and managed to the highest standards, anticipating and managing issues that could affect the Trust's reputation, finances or assets. Some weekend and occasional evening work will be required.

Who we're looking for

• A forward thinking approach to managing the complexity of a large estate, balancing heritage, nature, and people.
• An entrepreneurial spirit with strong financial acumen to grow the business using internal resources and securing external funds.
• High visibility to staff and volunteers, sharing a clear and compelling vision.
• A natural motivator and coach who leads through others and helps teams reach full potential.
• Excellent prioritisation skills, able to maintain calm while balancing urgent and important tasks.
• A focus on energy and resource use that improves where it matters most and ensures supporters feel valued.
• Deep understanding of great visitor experience and a commitment to upholding high standards across the portfolio.
• A confident communicator, decisive decision maker and collaborator, building effective relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Proficiency in managing operational risk, compliance, and accountability.

The package

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% of basic salary.
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest, and your children (under 18).
• Rental deposit loan scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• EV car lease scheme (for roles meeting the salary criteria).
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts.
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days, increasing with length of service, plus a holiday purchase scheme subject to minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Free parking at most Trust places.

Location

Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0BW

Documents

• South Cambridgeshire GM Recruitment pack.pdf
• General Manager - Grade 4.pdf

Requirements

• Compliance
• Eligibility to work in the UK

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to safe recruitment processes to attract and appoint the right staff and volunteers for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. Applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk will not be accepted.

Early closing notice

We reserve the right to close this advert early, so we encourage you to apply early.