Holidays Manager

Can you lead a team to look after a portfolio of holiday cottages in Dorset? You will be responsible for the successful operation of 15 unique and special holiday cottages ranging from a tiny cottage sleeping two guests to a substantial, historic house sleeping 12. The geographical spread is across Brownsea Island, the Isle of Purbeck and Weymouth.

The Holidays Manager is responsible for the financial performance of their portfolio (focusing on sales performance and cost control), managing maintenance and budgets (working with internal colleagues and external contractors), leading a team (including recruitment, induction, day to day management), ensuring compliance and meeting the National Trust's brand standards to ensure we deliver an excellent experience for our guests.

What it's like to work here

You'll be part of the Holidays team based at the National Trust Purbeck office at Currendon Farm between Studland and Corfe Castle. There's a lot of travel between the holiday cottages and the office so you'd need to be local, ideally living in Swanage, Poole, Bournemouth or the wider Dorset area. Having your own car is essential.

No two days will be the same. Your days will be busy, dynamic and demanding with a mix of office work, cottage visits and time with your team. There's a lot to do and it is very rewarding work. The hours are 37.5 per week - you will organise the rota with your colleagues to provide management cover six days a week (as the operational team does cottage changeovers on a Saturday). You may need to cover one Saturday in three with a day off during the week.

This is a permanent position, with the opportunity to progress. You will be part of a regional management team in the South area and part of the national Holidays team.

What you'll be doing

The Holidays Manager role is critical to the success of our holidays operation. The aim of the National Trust's Holidays team is to maximise business returns so that the contribution can be reinvested in our conservation work.

Responsibilities

• Consistent delivery - ensuring all elements of the operation are set up and running efficiently.
• Leading the team - recruiting, developing and supporting your team.
• Achieving high levels of guest satisfaction - excellent standards of housekeeping, proactive maintenance and incident response.
• Safety and compliance - ensuring the team completes day to day management of risks and follows the Trust's processes.
• Developing the business - working with colleagues on the marketing of your cottages and identifying potential opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven ability to lead, coach and motivate multi site teams, with excellent communication, relationship building and influencing skills.
• Flexible, customer focused approach and confidence working with partners, suppliers and varied internal teams.
• Sound financial capability, including budget management, forecasting, financial controls and delivering commercial targets.
• Understanding of housekeeping, maintenance standards and property presentation.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and bespoke systems.
• Valid driving licence and willingness to travel across a wide geographic area.
• Strong operational leadership gained in a hotel, hospitality or similar service led environment, supported by a relevant qualification at NVQ/QCF Level 3 or equivalent.
• Ability to manage operational risk, with strong knowledge of Health & Safety, compliance and emergency procedures.
• Experience contributing to business plans, overseeing small projects and supporting new holiday developments.

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).
• Season ticket loan.
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria).
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts.
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

Location

Currendon Farm, Swanage, BH19 3AA

Closing Date

10 May 2026

Compliance

Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment process to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions about your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.