Visitor Centre Manager - Hainault Forest

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Visitor Centre Manager (VCM) in our Hainault Forest team and lead a small, dedicated team of employees and volunteers to deliver and develop all aspects of our visitor offer at Hainault Forest, predominantly through the operating of our Woodland Trust Visitor Centre.

THE ROLE

• The Hainault Forest Visitor Centre Manager sets the direction and oversees all elements of WT visitor experience at the forest including events, interpretation, marketing and retail.
• The VCM is responsible for leading a small, dedicated team to provide an important meet and greet function to visitors as well as signposting, dealing with enquiries and undertaking retail transactions.
• The VCM is one of the main WT representatives for the Forest partnership (made up of the Woodland Trust, London Borough of Redbridge and Vision RCL).
• The VCM is responsible for ensuring necessary annual plans are in place, implemented and evaluated with appropriate success measures, and is also responsible for the safe operation and upkeep of the visitor centre building.
• In partnership with LBR and Vision RCL, the role will continue to lead on the establishment of Hainault Forest as a valued destination for people and wildlife that is regionally significant and locally treasured; inspiring visitors and communities to connect with woods and trees and take action for our cause.
• The VCM will ensure financial stability through the delivery of a sustainable, profitable business model for the visitor centre, annual planning for revenue streams across the whole site in partnership with LBR/Vision RCL, and planning and management of an annual visitor experience budget
• This role is based at Hainault Forest Visitor Centre.

THE CANDIDATE

• You’ll have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.
• You’ll have experience developing, marketing and delivering high quality visitor offers that are audience-led; maximising benefits to both visitors and the organisation, ideally within the context of a visitor centre operation.
• You’ll have experience working with communities and volunteers to establish inspiring and impactful programmes of activity and engagement which are audience focused and aligned with wider strategy.
• You will have previous line management experience, motivating and inspiring a small team of employees and volunteers to achieve successful outcomes.
• You’ll have great influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• You’ll be confident in working collaboratively, with volunteers and external partners, to deliver objectives and realise change.
• This role is based at Hainault Forest Visitor Centre and will require the successful candidate to work occasional weekends.

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. 

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, so they do not see your CV until shortlisting is completed. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. 

Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

Interviews will be held in-person at Hainault Forest Visitor Centre on Monday 23d June and Tuesday 24th June.

For queries relating to this new opportunity please email [email protected]