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Job Description Cardigan Castle Director

 

Job Title – Castle Director

Reporting to – Chair of Trustee Board of the Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust

Salary – A competitive package is offered based on a full time, three year fixed term position, with a possible option to extend.

Job Purpose – Responsible for the operational management of the overall site of Cardigan Castle.

 

Background

Following a £12.5M restoration project, Cardigan Castle is entering the second year of trading as a commercial enterprise.  The Castle is a multifaceted enterprise, encompassing a layered historical and cultural heritage dating back to the Norman invasion and the first Welsh stone castle, constructed by the Lord Rhys in 1171.  As the site of the first Eisteddfod, held by the Lord Rhys in 1176, the site holds an important place in the history of the Welsh language and culture, and the bardic tradition.  Facilities include exhibitions housed in the main house, self-catering and B & B accommodation, retail shop, a Pavilion used for functions and weddings and a 70 seater café.

 

Job Summary

The Castle Director will be the Chief Executive Officer for Cardigan Castle Enterprises and will manage the site and ensure that the accommodation, catering services and heritage assets are enjoyed by increasing numbers of people from a wide range of audiences.

 

The Director will build upon the business plan, developing a workable and deliverable strategy for achieving sustainable commercial viability that is sympathetic to the organization’s commitment to the heritage of the site and to the Welsh Language, culture and bardic tradition, and that strikes an acceptable balance between the heritage and commercial sides of the operation

 

The Director can expect to be “hands-on” dealing with operational issues on-site, working weekends as necessary as well as running a disciplined business, building commercially advantageous relationships within local communities and other partners, and investigating and planning for initiatives and developments that help make Cardigan Castle a leader in the Welsh community.

 

The Director will work to build trust and grow confidence in the community and our organization.

 

Scope of role

  • Acting as the Board of Trustees’ principal advisor on all matters; attending formal and informal meetings of the Trustees and general meetings of the trust .
  • Being proactive, in partnership with the Board of Trustees, in developing and reviewing strategy for the organisation.
  • Undertaking regular reviews of the business plan and action plan to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.
  • Actively seeking new income streams and investigating sources of grant funding where appropriate, including putting together any concomitant applications. Developing a strategy for donations and legacies.
  • Being accountable to the Board of Trustees for the totality of the Castle’s and Trust’s assets, finances, and financial systems.
  • Developing the annual budget for approval by the Board of Trustees.
  • Monitoring actuals against budget, devising corrective action when required, reporting regularly to Trustees and proposing action to the Trustees when required.
  • Taking responsibility for the day to day operation of the totality of the site within a framework of delegation from the Trustees, reporting regularly to the Board of Trustees on decisions taken within delegated powers and bringing to the attention of the Board of Trustees promptly any decisions that require to be taken that fall outside the scheme of delegation.
  • Keeping the organizational structure and staffing under review and proposing action to the Trustees where required.
  • The recruitment (in partnership with Trustees), direction, appraisal, development and training of staff, via schemes of delegation where appropriate; the recruitment and management of volunteers.
  • Maintaining the corporate risk register.
  • Being responsible for Health, Safety, and Environmental management at the site. 

  • The development of new and the management of existing partnerships with external agencies, to the benefit of the Castle and Cadwgan Trust
  • In conjunction with the Chair of Trustees, acting as the Castle & Trust’s public spokesperson, including managing media and social media relations.
  • To undertake such other responsibilities as maybe required by the Trustees and to provide such reports, advice and information as may be reasonably required to enable the Board to discharge its statutory and legal responsibilities.

 

Requirements

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrate a proven record of successful business management, financial competence and staff management.
  • Experience of managing budgets and P&Ls.
  • Understanding of customer-facing environments.

Desirable

  • Understanding of working with volunteers.
  • Awareness of heritage, conservation and building management requirements.
  • Commitment to establishing learning culture and sharing ideas.
  • Experience of Health & Safety and emergency procedures.
  • Some knowledge of the local community and environment in terms of what it has to offer to our customers and visitors and how to use heritage conservation to advantage.
  • Background in or experience of marketing.

 

 

 

 

Skills

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate most but not necessarily all of the following:

  • A creative, innovative, imaginative and energetic approach, directed at achieving financial sustainability without compromising the historical heritage.
  • Sympathy for and understanding of issues relating to the Welsh Language & Culture.
  • The ability to speak Welsh.
  • Good interpersonal and communications skills, written and verbal.
  • Self-motivated, able to work on own initiative with the ability to prioritise a diverse workload.
  • Business planning and strategic thinking skills.

 

Additional Information

The post-holder will be required to have access to own transport and a full driving licence.

The post is part funded by HLF Resilience grant.

Cardigan Castle – Director

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to lead a fledgling Visitor Attraction and Welsh Heritage Site in the next stage of its business plan.

If you have the creative, innovative and imaginative skills to carry the Castle through to the next stage of its journey and can demonstrate a proven record of successful business management we would like to hear from you.

A competitive package is offered for a full time, three year fixed term position, with a possible option to extend.

Send CV with full details of experience to: Sue Edwards, Cardigan Castle, Green Street, Cardigan, Ceredigion SA43 1JA / [email protected] Closing date 7th April 2017.