Rye Harbour Discovery Centre Manager

Thanks to a successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Sussex Wildlife Trust are seeking an exceptional, customer-focussed Centre Manager to lead the team at their flagship Discovery Centre at Rye Harbour, East Sussex.

Location: Rye Harbour Discovery Centre, East Sussex

Salary: £32,710.56

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time (35 hours a week) including regular weekends, shifts and evenings

Closing Date: 9am 16^th May 2022

Interview Date: 25^th May 2022

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Sussex Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in Sussex. We focus on protecting the wonderfully rich natural life that is found across our towns, countryside and coast.  By working alongside local people we create opportunities for us all to connect with nature and for nature to thrive in even the most unlikely places.  Together we can make sure that future generations living in Sussex will be able to enjoy the sense of wonder and well-being that nature offers.

Rye Harbour Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre is Sussex Wildlife Trust’s first visitor centre; generously supported by The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, the local community and a range of funders. The 1,110 acre reserve is one of the most biodiverse places in Britain with 4,200 plant and animal species recorded, and over 200 rare or endangered birds and mammals. It also hosts a range of historic buildings. As well as engaging more annual visitors in this exceptional natural and human heritage area through exciting interpretation, the project draws new visitors to the nature reserve.  Supported by an extensive volunteer development programme, it also boosts the reserve’s conservation capabilities, improving habitats for endangered species and securing a more sustainable future for the reserve.

The Role

The Centre Manager will be at the forefront of developing the visitor experience and commercial success, alongside the provision of support for our teams of volunteers at the new Discovery Centre.  They will lead the team and run the day to day operation of the centre which includes a café, retail outlet, wildlife education events and much more. Main responsibilities include leading, supporting and developing the team of staff and volunteers, ensuring excellent customer service and profitability of the shop and café, looking after the facilities, financial management, administration and reporting, ensuring the Health & Safety of staff, volunteers and visitors, and reporting on the team’s activities.

The Person

With a passion for motivating and inspiring others, you will be a natural leader with a positive and solution-focussed outlook, who is able to develop and train our staff and volunteer team, enabling them to deliver a first class visitor experience. Leading the overall operation of the Centre, you will have great people skills and ability to communicate with a range of diverse audiences, as well as significant experience in hospitality, retail or within the tourism, visitor experience or museum sector.  You will be able to think on your feet, work well under pressure and enjoy a busy working environment.

As the Centre is open seven days a week, you will be comfortable working varied hours and shifts including weekends, evenings and bank holidays. In return, we offer a generous annual leave allowance of 25 days plus Bank Holidays in year one of employment, rising to 28 days after five years, flexible working arrangements and an enhanced Employee Assistance Programme.

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