Full Time

Corporate Partnership Manager

Eden Scott is delighted to be working with the National Trust for Scotland, a charity established in 1931, to provide access and enjoyment to the properties, places and collections in its care. They also exist to protect what they look after for future generations to enjoy; and increasingly they are keen to act as a strong conservation voice for heritage and climate change response across Scotland.

They are the largest member organisation in Scotland. As a conservation charity, they’re supported by more than 320,000 members and are funded largely by donations.

Since 1931 their love for Scotland has fuelled their desire to protect the things that make it special. By championing Scotland’s natural, built and cultural heritage they inspire those around us. From coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness, they encourage people to connect with the things that make Scotland unique while protecting them for future generations. They do it so their heritage will always have a home. They do it so our countryside will remain unspoilt, and accessible.
They do what we do … for the love of Scotland.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at the Trust as Corporate Partnership Manager, this role will manage and develop existing corporate partnerships as well as seeking and securing sponsorship opportunities for high profile events which drive the charity’s ambition and mission. Partnership and sponsorship opportunities from significant corporate citizens who share their values are fundamental to their future success driving innovation, promoting cross sector collaboration, maximising income, raising awareness of their charity and engaging and exciting current and new audiences.

You’ll manage and build upon existing relationships with key external stakeholders to build confidence in their charity, strategic direction and funding pipeline. You’ll oversee project and impact reporting for all key corporate partners and sponsors, gathering business critical insight that evidences value & impact and informs future practice.

Key responsibilities of the role:
• Working with the Head of Fundraising you will develop their corporate fundraising strategy to manage existing partnerships and create new partnership and sponsorship opportunities, achieving target, driving revenue and raising the overall brand profile for the Trust.
• Work closely and collaboratively with other members of the Fundraising team to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to corporate fundraising activity.
• Work closely and collaboratively with other members of the team (Marketing, Membership, Communications) to ensure positioning, brand, messaging, target audiences and activity is aligned and resourced adequately for each partnership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across the Trust to ensure partnerships are fulfilled to the highest standard and funded projects run smoothly and efficiently through to completion, and impact reporting. Relationships with colleagues in Marketing and operational colleagues based at properties across Scotland are especially important.
• Monitor CSR/Corporate Responsibility issues in the media and keep up to date with professional fundraising associations and media regarding fundraising tools and skills development.
• Research and build ongoing insight for each partner and prospect to better understand their strategic priorities/key drivers, enabling enhanced relationship and outcomes
• Ensure due diligence and governance requirements are fulfilled in collaboration with the Head of Fundraising and support the CEO and Trustees to develop relationships with key organisations.
• Develop detailed, compelling and relevant funding proposals/concepts in collaboration with internal stakeholders
• Devise and deliver high quality, relevant stewardship and engagement programmes for all partners, using organisational networks and opportunities to optimise success
• Track, analyse and report on fundraising results in the Corporate field to measure, manage and report performance using agreed performance measures.
• Work closely with procurement, project and operations to ensure their capacity to approach prospects is maximised and they are kept fully up to date with their fundraising plans.
• Manage income from corporate supporters; ensuring donations are correctly allocated, funds drawn-down and spent to agreed timescales, progress and final impact reports sent to donors.
• Monitor and report on spend associated with activity ensuing the correct allocation of philanthropic funds and maintaining a close working relationship with finance colleagues.

Key skills and experience required:

• Demonstrable experience managing significant major gifts or sponsorships and sustaining a portfolio of fruitful relationships with donors
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the corporate marketplace and trends in corporate giving and partnership –their interests, motivations, priorities, and different vehicles of giving
• Proven successful experience in corporate fundraising or a sales environment generating significant income with a track record of initiating and delivering strategic and successful corporate partnerships ideally valued in excess of £100,000
• Demonstrable experience in Account Management – creating persuasive, compelling and profitable fundraising relationships and proposals, and sustaining and growing a portfolio of fruitful relationships.

This role offers an excellent competitive salary within a range of £35,023 to £38,738 with significant company benefits.

Eden Scott are dealing exclusively with the Trust on this vacancy so to be considered for this exciting opportunity with a truly unique and best in class employer, please submit your CV online clearly stating salary expectation or to sally.rae@edenscott.com and for an informal chat or to receive the full role information pack and job description please email or call Sally on 07776 662506.

Visitor Experience Manager

Eden Scott is delighted to be working with Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) a leading conservation charity who connect people to nature and safeguard wildlife across the globe.

At Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park, diverse and dedicated teams care for almost 3,000 amazing animals and carry out cutting-edge science and research. The wild experts based in RZSS zoos support an incredible range of projects and direct conservation action, from the Highlands of Scotland to the wetlands of Brazil and rainforests of Uganda.

As our natural environment faces a biodiversity crisis, RZSS is inspiring and empowering communities to help save animals from extinction.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team as Visitor Experience Manager for their Highland Wildlife Park situated in the Cairngorms National Park, seven miles south of Aviemore.

This role will lead the visitor experience and catering team(s) including the day-to-day operations of visitor experience and manage Highland Wildlife Park as an accessible, exciting, and secure visitor attraction, ensuring five-star customer service standards and generating income levels in line with agreed targets. As part of the management team, this role will contribute to strategic planning in support of RZSS achieving its mission and aims.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• To manage Visitor Experience operations, including admissions and catering in line with visitor numbers in the region of 200K per annum
• Direct line management of the Assistant Visitor Experience Manager and administrator, Catering Coordinator indirectly Visitor Experience Team Leaders, and all visitor experience assistants
• Ensure the delivery of a five-star visitor experience
• Manage and oversee gate income of approx. £1.5M making sure gift aid is maximized
• Act as the visitor duty manager, responding to incidents on site such as first aid and security
• Work alongside the membership and adoptions team to promote these income streams to visitors
• Gather face to face visitor feedback and contribute to the improvement process
• Manage, oversee, and contribute to departmental budgets of approx. £300,000 (including payroll, end of year accounts and financial spreadsheets, Loomis contracts, Park signage, vehicle presentation/maintenance and coordinating printing of Park maps/information leaflets) and oversee the daily operations of the site during opening hours

Key skills and experience required:

• Experience of working in a similar visitor attraction or similar environment
• Significant experience of team leading in a customer service environment including catering management
• Significant experience of providing a positive, first-class customer care service, including dealing with customer queries and complaints

This role offers an excellent competitive salary circa £35k DOE for the right candidate with significant company benefits including 34 days holidays and a re-location package and assistance with accommodation for a candidate moving to the area.

Eden Scott are dealing exclusively with RZSS on this vacancy so to be considered for this exciting opportunity with a truly unique and best in class employer, please submit your CV online clearly stating salary expectation or to sally.rae@edenscott.com and for an informal chat or to receive the full role information pack and job description please email or call Sally on 07776 662506.

No closing date has been set.

Social Media Manager

Eden Scott is delighted to be working with the National Trust for Scotland, a charity established in 1931, to provide access and enjoyment to the properties, places and collections in its care. They also exist to protect what they look after for future generations to enjoy; and increasingly they are keen to act as a strong conservation voice for heritage and climate change response across Scotland.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at the Trust in a newly created role of Social Media Manager which will join a communications team who inspire more people to visit, join and donate to the Trust. They do this by managing marketing, communications, digital, social media and fundraising activity for the charity.

The team also manage the membership experience and our proud to look after over a third-of-a-million members who help support their vital conservation work as well as experience the best of Scotland by being a member of the Trust.

The team works closely with their regional colleagues at their properties and outdoor places to support them in their activities. This work includes ensuring that the uniqueness of each place is well communicated as well as being presented in the context of the wider Trust brand and messaging.

This stand-alone specialised role will ensure that the Trust is maximising its effectiveness at reaching new and existing audiences with relevant and compelling content through social media channels that inspires continued and deepening engagement.

Formally based at the Trust’s HQ in Edinburgh but the nature of most of their roles lend themselves to working flexibly in terms of location, and affords ongoing opportunities to experience properties and places on a regular basis.

Key responsibilities of the role:

SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
• You will be responsible for developing a clear strategy for social media that can demonstrate how it will deliver clear value in support of the Trust’s ten-year strategy.
• Be responsible for ensuring there is a clear annual implementation plan for social media, nationally and regionally, so that everyone is clear on what needs to be done, and when.

LEAD ON NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
• You will be responsible for planning, writing and publishing content on the Trust’s national social media accounts, plus helping to curate social media content archives. Social media accounts include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, plus many other leading platforms.
• The content you lead on will be aligned to marketing campaigns, fundraising appeals, key property events, and major project updates across the Trust. The key is to ensure what you publish is part of a wider integrated set of plans.
• All content you are responsible for will confirm to the Trust’s Editorial Policy regarding matters of brand, accuracy and legality.

SUPPORTING OUR REGIONAL TEAMS
• You will help them strike the right balance between which social media accounts are managed centrally and those that are updated and managed by local property and place teams.
• You will develop policy and practical guidance so that all parts of the Trust know what they need to do to follow brand, technical and other considerations when using social media.
• You will provide training support and oversee the recommended distribution of relevant software licences so that everyone involved in social media at the Trust can maximise their effectiveness.
Key skills and experience required:

• Demonstrable track record at managing an organisation’s social media presence
• Clear knowledge of the leading social media software platforms they may choose to use
• Evidence of leading training programmes across teams
• Experience with brand ambassadors, influencers and brand partners and know how to deliver credible and compelling content and communications
• Experience of the day-to-day management of social media accounts for a complex organisation
• Experience of creating written and image-led content for social media and optimising for a range of audiences and different channels
• Strong planning and organisational skills, comfortable working across multiple social platforms at the same time
• Monitoring and reporting on measurable performance objectives for social media using Google Analytics or equivalent tools

This role offers an excellent competitive salary within a range of £35,023 to £38,738 per annum with significant company benefits.

Eden Scott are dealing exclusively with the Trust on this vacancy so to be considered for this exciting opportunity with a truly unique and best in class employer, please submit your CV online clearly stating salary expectation or to sally.rae@edenscott.com and for an informal chat or to receive the full role information pack and job description please email or call Sally on 07776 662506.

Closing date for applications 5.00pm Friday 25th March 2022 and interviews for shortlisted candidates 7th April 2022.

Visitor Services Supervisor – Food and Beverage

CONTEXT

Set within extensive grounds, this imposing 800-year-old fortress, with Raeburn portraits on the walls and wildfowl in the loch is one of the most impressive Castles in the country and is a fabulous place to soak up the atmosphere of old Scotland.

Spread over various floors, these sumptuous rooms are filled with antiquities, armour and lavish oil paintings. The collection within Fyvie Castle is Museum Accredited, with an impressive portrait collection, including works by Raeburn, Batoni, Romney, Gainsborough, Opie, Lawrence and Hoppner.

Situated on the ground floor is our ‘Kitchen Tearoom’ which is an essential part of any visit to the Castle. With additional seating outside to be enjoyed during the warmer months.

Fyvie Castle also boasts a beautiful walled garden, mature grounds and woodland walks round the Loch of Fyvie.

JOB PURPOSE

To support the conservation of Fyvie Castle by generating income through food and beverage operations and delivering the highest standard of visitor experience for all visitors.

With a passion for all things food related and of course great customer service, you will manage ‘The Kitchen Tearoom’ within Fyvie Castle and the pop-up catering outlets within the grounds for our year-round events programme.

You will lead the catering team with, menu design, food production, ordering, compliance, and commercial performance. Delivering a friendly, efficient service environment in line with the National Trust for Scotland’s policies, priorities, standards, and targets. You will help make our properties sustainable in every way.

You will be part of a broader management team responsible for delivering an overall visitor service strategy, promoting good communication across the site and a joined-up service provision.

With access to an extensive Scottish produce garden, this offers a unique opportunity to incorporate fresh home grown fruit and vegetables into the menu.

Head of Retail

Purpose

Overall responsibility for driving the retail strategy across the Trust, leading the national retail team, and setting the future direction of our buying and merchandising proposition across both gift shops and online. With a diverse portfolio of locations and online presence, this role is pivotal in ensuring that our offer continues to develop in a modern, and flexible way, delivering ranges that are distinctive, which promote our charitable purpose and brand values in new and innovative ways. With the support of the retail team, the post holder will work collaboratively with property leadership teams to enhance the retail visitor experience delivering the right balance between national and local/property specific themes. The post holder will also develop, continually review, and maintain all retail policies and procedures providing clarity of expected standards/governance and accountability across buying, product development, stock management, customer service, merchandising and supplier management.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

National Retail Strategy
• Develop, review, and manage a national NTS Retail Strategy, setting goals and milestones across the next 10 years which deliver increased revenue whilst also supporting the charitable purpose of the Trust and reflecting the brand values
• Ensure consistency across the estate and online, in product development, stock management & compliance, profitability, and financial management
• Responsibility for the development, supply, and distribution of retail ranges across the NTS portfolio and online, and for the effective management of cost prices, distribution costs, inventory levels and supplier management
• Develop a set of national retail KPI’s, agreed with Operational Management teams which can be used to monitor and drive commercial performance
• Develop and create new business opportunities to further increase revenues across the Trust

Financial /Operational Management
• Working with our finance teams, prepare and develop a suite of reports, to analyse all data weekly/monthly and present the findings and recommendations
• Exercise sound financial/commercial principles ensuring that expenditure and income are managed within agreed budgets, to maximise profitable retail operations and high quality of service and standards
• Formulate strategies to develop the Trust’s retail experience for visitors both in shops and online; this will include preparation of business case proposals for site-specific strategies and projects

Trading Performance/Customer Insight
• The post-holder and the national retail team will provide trading and business insights to enable the Trust’s retail operations to respond effectively to trading and market conditions
• Identify and develop opportunities to achieve business and revenue growth using statistical reports
• Develop a national pricing and promotional strategy which reflects market trends and maximises commercial opportunities

Stock and Inventory management
• With the support of the retail product and merchandise managers, ensure that the retail stock management policy is implemented consistently throughout the estate, providing relevant training and development for property teams where appropriate
• Develop buying and product development processes which ensure the right balance of ranges across the estate and online and manage the stock inventory effectively
• Develop, implement, and monitor effective stock management tools and controls across the estate
• Working with the Merchandise Manager, lead the FYE stock take process ensuring that the relevant policies and procedures are delivered across the estate and manage the audit process taking relevant action where appropriate

E-Commerce Manager

Background

Our online shop has seen unprecedented growth across the last 4 years, with sales increasing by +554% since 2017. The pandemic has accelerated this growth across the last 18 months, where sales have increased by over £150k. E-commerce is continuing to grow and evolve and presents us as an organization with the opportunity to further build on our success by making our products available to customers around the globe. Challenging us to think differently about our product range, platform design, customer journey, fulfilment and delivery process and our customer base. This role will be pivotal in leading and developing the strategy behind this change, ensuring we deliver on our goals and ambitions to grow our online shop income to over £2m within the next 5 years.

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of the E-Commerce Manager role is to develop and deliver our online shop strategy, growing income whilst ensuring that profitability is maximised. Collaborating with our product managers, you will plan and develop our online shop product ranges. You will be responsible for managing our third-party partners on platform design/efficiency, fulfilment and delivery ensuring we are constantly improving the customer journey/experience and demonstrating value for money from these partnerships. Working in partnership with our marketing colleagues, you will lead and deliver a comprehensive and creative marketing plan ensuring we are constantly attracting new and international audiences whilst encouraging supporters to regularly shop with us. You will also develop new ways of generating income online to maximise our reach and potential. Keeping up to date with the latest E-commerce trends and markets will be a key focus, ensuring that we continually drive our performance and future potential. You will also have line manager responsibility for our E-Commerce Developer who will support you in producing content, managing the day to day running of our platform and delivering customer service excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy
• Develop and deliver our online shop strategy, setting goals and milestones across the next 10 years, capitalising on commercial opportunities whilst growing our customer base
• Full and thorough review of our current operating/third party model, identifying opportunities and establishing the most beneficial framework to deliver our future ambition
• Work in partnership with Head of Merchandise and Retail to support in the delivery of the overall retail strategy
• Ensure that the online strategy is aligned to both the overall Trust strategy and that of Commercial Enterprises.

Third Party Relationships
• Build and develop positive relationships with our third-party partners who support us with various services including platform management/design, specialist marketing services, product photography, stock management, customer order fulfilment/delivery
• Review, manage and negotiate these contracts and services regularly, delivering value for money, excellent performance against agreed SLA’s and improved profitability

Product Selection/Development
• Through collaboration with our product managers, ensure that a range of compelling products is sourced, priced, and uploaded to the online shop, driving sales to meet and exceed income targets and profit margins
• Use relevant e-commerce analysis (e.g., google analytics/data studio) to tailor our online ranges to the demand, trends, and demographics of our customers
• Identify potential new target markets and income stream opportunities and deliver plans to capitalise on these driving sales growth

Platform Design/Customer Journey
• Review platform performance regularly to deliver an enhanced customer journey which increases traffic and delivers on various e-commerce metrics (e.g., average basket, conversion rates)
• Work with the E-Commerce Developer to ensure that products are presented creatively, enhancing customer journey and optimising SEO through content and product descriptions
• In collaboration with our content team and third-party partners, manage the overall online shop design and promotional messaging, delivering an inspiring shopping experience whilst remaining consistent with overall Trust branding

Marketing/Promotion
• Produce and implement, in partnership with our commercial colleagues, an annual marketing and promotional plan which is commercially targeted and attracts new audiences
• Continue to develop and evolve our content ensuring that we are constantly finding new ways to communicate our charitable purpose and tell the stories of our products, suppliers and properties

Finance/Operational Management
• Ensure that all spend/costs associated with the online shop are managed within agreed targets and budgets
• Work with the E-Commerce Developer to produce a suite of weekly e-commerce reports, regularly reviewing performance and driving improvement
• Develop online specific promotional plans that deliver increased revenue, higher average spends and manage under-productive stock quickly and effectively

Head of Holidays

Background/Context

The NTS Holidays department sits within the Corporate and Commercial Services Directorate. We currently operate 50 holiday cottages/apartments and 5 bunkhouses within our portfolio. With 6 new properties due to be added this year and a further 11 being reviewed as potential holiday lets, there is significant scope to expand this portfolio further and grow our future income. In 2020, we launched a new partnership with a third party who manage the front end of our process including website management, customer reservations, marketing, and promotion. With a new 10-year Corporate Strategy set out, it is the perfect time to assess our current model and set a new strategic direction for our holiday department, focused on expanding commercial opportunities and maintaining our portfolio to a high standard to support our charitable purpose and deliver an enhanced and consistent customer experience.

Purpose

The purpose of the role is to develop and lead the delivery of our holidays’ strategy, growing income whilst ensuring that our charitable purpose is supported. Working with the Commercial Enterprise Director, the post holder will conduct an overall review of our current operating model, identifying opportunities, and establishing the future direction of our holidays function. Managing key stakeholder relationships will be vital, ensuring we are getting value for money from our third-party partnerships and supporting our property teams throughout the estate to deliver an enhanced customer experience. Working closely with our estates, health and safety, and property teams, an ongoing programme of maintenance should be established to maintain high standards of service and facilities, protecting our assets for years to come and for future generations to enjoy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy
• Work with the Commercial Enterprise Director to develop a holidays strategy, setting goals and milestones across the next 10 years, capitalising on commercial opportunities whilst working towards industry standard for Accessibility and Green Tourism.
• Align the Holidays strategy to the overall Corporate and Commercial Services strategy and direction
• Full and thorough review of our current operating/third party model, identifying opportunities and establishing the most beneficial framework to deliver our future ambition

Key Stakeholder Management
• Lead and develop positive relationships with our third-party partners, regularly review and monitor performance against Service Level Agreements
• Work in partnership with the Regional Business Managers, Heads of Estates, Building Surveying and Health & Safety, to prioritise and deliver maintenance, national/local authority legislation, and H&S standards across the holiday portfolio
• Work with General Managers and operational teams supporting with relevant property guidance and communication.

Financial Management
• As a budget holder, exercise sound financial and commercial controls, managing expenditure and income within agreed budgets, to maximise profitable operations and high quality of service and standards
• Drive performance through income, cost, and profitability analysis
• Reconcile third-party data and analytics monthly ensuring financial governance
• Make all relevant reporting and data available to operational teams and work in partnership with General Managers/Operations Managers to identify opportunities and highlight areas for improvement

Asset Planning/Maintenance/Standards
• Develop and deliver a regular programme of site visits/inspections benchmarking our property standards
• Lead and plan the delivery of refurbishment works, prioritising workload based on customer feedback and grading reports
• Work in partnership with the building surveying and operational teams to deliver a regular maintenance programme, ensuring accommodation is maintained to a high standard
• Lead supplier negotiations/procurement identifying opportunities to scale up nationally and deliver value for money
• Develop a guidance framework for operational teams to facilitate the transfer of assets/change of use, outlining benefits to the Trust
• Develop additional properties with a national overview which prioritises customer demand, cost of development and best return on investment.

Chef

Purpose of the role

To assist in the day-to-day management of the Food & Beverage offer at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, to ensure that all targets are met, and all visitors receive the highest level of visitor experience standards.

Key Responsibilities
• Assist with the development of the Menu Cycle/Specification
• Contribute to food production as per the Menu Cycle/Specification and event Food Production (corporate, hospitality, meetings etc.)
• Keeping up to date HACCP, COSHH checklists and temperature sheets as well as allergen measures/controls
• Ensure high Standards of Kitchen hygiene, cleanliness, tidiness, and related schedules
• Use fresh produce and ingredients whenever and wherever is possible and minimise wastage.
• Maintain a high standard of food presentation to the customer
• Share in the common responsibility of implementing the Trust’s “Health & Safety Policy”, being mindful at all times of the health and safety of self, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Share in the common responsibility of working in a manner mindful of the Trust’s obligations to minimise impact on the environment, through e.g., efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling and the disposal of waste, considered use of transport
• Help to reduce occurrences where Health or Safety of yourself and other employees may be put in jeopardy
• Adherence to the COSHH Training provided and control of substances covered by COSHH
• Involvement in the upkeep and maintenance of both the entire department site and, specifically, the Catering Outlets
• Involvement in assessing and preserving the safety of utensils and equipment used within the Catering Outlets.

Dimensions and Scope of Job

• The role is based in the main museum building and at Robert Burns Birthplace cottage.
• The role works with several departments: retail, catering, and admissions, assisting with special events and functions when required.
• There may be times when you are required to work at other NTS properties such as but not exclusively Souter Johnnies Cottage and the Batchelor’s Club
• The role requires the post holder to work flexible working patterns and hours including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

People Management

• The Post Holder does not have direct line management responsibilities but would be expected to deputise in the absence of the Head Cook and direct kitchen and front of house staff.
• Will work closely with other property colleagues and will have regular interaction with other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments
• Will have regular (daily) interaction with suppliers and members of the public of all ages and abilities

Finance Management

• Is not a budget holder
• Responsibility for day-to-day management of stock

Tools/ equipment/ systems
• Will use catering equipment including cooking equipment. coffee machines and dishwashers.
• Will use a wide range of ICT equipment including land-line phone, two-way radio, email, scanner, laptop/PC, printer etc.

Ranger

JOB PURPOSE
To combine responsibilities on nature conservation, visitor services, learning and community engagement to help deliver the strategic objectives of the property and wider National Trust for Scotland.
Protect the landscapes in our care and associated marine habitats as part of ecologically healthy habitat networks where natural processes predominate and help combat climate change. Enable more people to experience more heritage more often, get more out of it & put more back into it. Use evidence and practice from our natural heritage properties to support our voice in national debates advocating for natural heritage. Work with communities living on or close to our land or with an interest in our land so that they collaborate with us to help achieve our natural heritage outcomes. Protect the built and archaeological heritage in our care and use them to help us explain the “habitats” outcome and achieve the “visitor’s” outcome.
This role has a pivotal role in the delivery of our ambitious long-term project to restore the landscape at Kelton Mains Farm on the Threave Estate. The ‘Threave Landscape Restoration Project’ will return the land of Kelton Mains Farm (81 ha) to a fully restored woodland-wetland ecosystem, self-sustaining and self-adapting to Scotland’s changing climate over the next one hundred years.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Combine responsibilities across the following areas of work with direct implementation yourself and by overseeing the work of others such as contractors, volunteers, and colleagues:
Nature conservation
• Survey wildlife and habitats and feed this knowledge into management decisions, marketing of natural heritage, and further development of our voice.
• Maintain and manage habitats, wildlife with the aim of protecting species and increasing biodiversity.
• Contribute to the planning and lead the delivery of practical conservation to deliver the outputs agreed in the Annual Operating Plan
Visitor Services
• Provide information to visitors to encourage more visitors and help people get more out of their engagement with natural heritage and give more back to it including “upselling” (e.g.: of membership) using face to face and by other means of interaction such as social media.
• Maintain countryside estate infrastructure at small, day to day scale (e.g. paths, gates, signs, vegetation management) to achieve ecological, visitor services and safety outcomes.
• Occasional Visitor Services duties as cover, when required.
• Assist with events such as public gatherings, NTS events and weddings.
Community engagement
• Communicate with local stakeholders, neighbouring landowners, local businesses, local / regional agencies and others to increase understanding of their and our aims and develop collaborative working to help deliver our priorities.
Learning
• Provide educational and other outreach activities on site or to the community local to the natural heritage and to communities of interest, including for volunteers.
• Delivery of formal and informal learning activities including events, workshops, walks and talks.
Other responsibilities
• Management of practical conservation and wildlife recording.
• Ensure that all activities undertaken are compliant with the Trust’s health and safety policies and procedures including the safe system of work (SSOW), and environmental policy and practices.
• Manage contractors and supervise volunteers

Garden Trainee

JOB PURPOSE

The Garden Trainee role at Threave Garden will provide the post-holders with development in a broad range of work-based practical gardening skills over the course of a year spent as part of the team there. The training will be based primarily around the content of the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture but additional enhancements will also be available. Our aim is to take people who have undertaken a horticultural apprenticeship, an academic horticultural qualification or who have proven practical gardening experience and to develop them further into the rounded skilled, craft professional gardeners that the heritage garden sector, including the National Trust for Scotland, requires.

WHAT WE OFFER

The year at Threave comprises paid day-to-day work in the garden alongside practical training and assessments of the skills learnt. The RHS Level 2 training is supplemented by a number of assessed assignments designed to enhance trainee learning. This includes fortnightly plant identification tests, keeping a diary, completing plant profiles and participation in a study tour (visiting a number of gardens and nurseries to gain a greater appreciation of the variety a career in horticulture can provide) from which a report is requested.

The Garden Trainees are overseen by our teaching staff of Gardener Instructors, seasoned experts in their fields who have worked in a wide range of gardens themselves. Each Instructor is responsible for a different area of the garden: the grounds, the walled garden and the glasshouses. The Garden Trainee will work in each of these areas, moving between them on a rota basis, to ensure in-depth training across the seasons. Trainees will work alongside the Gardener Instructors, other garden staff and volunteers, receiving hands-on practical tuition. Study and assignments will be completed largely in their own time.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

While in the garden the Garden Trainee will be formally line managed by the Head Gardener but will be expected to take direction from any member of staff they are allocated to work alongside or for. The employment is for a fixed-period of 1 year, subject to continued progression on the course and acceptable performance on it and also at work in the garden.
Trainees will be expected to take responsibility for their learning which will include out of hours study and/or project work.

ABOUT THE GARDEN

The School of Heritage Gardening, based at Threave Garden was formed in 1960, shortly after the National Trust for Scotland took ownership of the property. For over 60 years we have been teaching horticultural skills and techniques to aspiring professional gardeners. Former trainees have gone on to have successful careers in the industry, many choosing to stay with the Trust.

Threave Garden is perfectly suited for a range of training requirements, having been created over the years by students, for students, to accommodate a variety of horticultural situations. The garden has a large and diverse plant collection set within an extensive landscape and includes features such as a rock garden, fruit and vegetables, ponds, naturalised bulbs, woodland, orchard, nursery, lawns, herbaceous beds and borders and glasshouses. This purposefully broad array of garden landscapes, plants and features ensures that trainees are able to receive an extensive and well-rounded education, covering many aspects found in a career in horticulture.

Threave is an approved centre to deliver Royal Horticultural Society qualifications, one of only a handful across Scotland.

Gardener

KEY PURPOSE

As part of the property team, assist with the conservation and development of the properties and gardens to ensure that Leith Hall and Estate are presented at the highest standards to its visitors and guests.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:
Undertaking practical maintenance of the garden (e.g. managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, and bulbsturf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping; path care) to the required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by, visitors;
Fostering positive relationships promote the work of the Trust, and actively seek opportunities to increase Trust membership;
On occasion, working with volunteers and/or staff members to ensure they deliver required outputs at the appropriate standard, and gain benefit/satisfaction from their activities;
Demonstrating self motivation, organizing, planning, and prioritizing and good time management;
Undertaking such other reasonable duties as may from time to time be required to ensure the smooth running of the property as required by the Head Gardener.
Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s health, safety, and environment policies and procedures.

The current duties of this job do not require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out.

SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
Not a line manager but will, on occasion, supervise volunteers under instructions from Head Gardener.
Will work closely with other property colleagues, and will have some interaction with other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments (e.g. Gardens department).
Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public and guests of all ages and abilities.

Tools/equipment
May be required to be a user of driven vehicles such as ride-on mower.
May be a frequent user of powered tools such as, mowers, strimmers, hedge-cutters.
Will be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears, and secateurs.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

The above outlines the key skills the prospective post-holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:

Essential
Knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance.
Experience in gardening and estate management and a willingness to learn about the care and husbandry of our historic gardens and designed landscapes.
Some practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; confident in interacting and dealing with a wide range of people; and able to represent the Trust
Good organisational and time-management skills – including the ability to prioritise work where necessary and also the ability to work using own initiative, In the absence of direct line management.
Eye for detail and finish, quality standard and best practice.
Current driving licence valid for driving in the UK

Desirable
Some basic IT skills sufficient for use of the internet/intranet, assisting volunteers, on-line learning etc.
Experience of working with the public in some capacity
Experience of working in a mixed-team that includes short-term/seasonal staff and/or volunteers

Visitor Services Manager

JOB PURPOSE

You will be responsible for the operational delivery of the overall visitor experience within Crathes Castle and the wider Estate.

Delivering performance standards and targets to ensure excellent levels of visitor satisfaction, while maximising key commercial, financial and development objectives, to ensure the property is property fully sustainable.

Your vision and drive will continue to build on our current , from creating fresh visitor numbers, bringing fresh ideas to showcasing our site to a wider audience, to handling initial enquiries and delivering memorable visitor experiences. Ultimately ensuring Haddo House is recognised as a first-class visitor attraction.

You will be part of a broader management team responsible for delivering an overall visitor service strategy, promoting good communication within the property and across the division as well as a joined-up service provision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Staff and volunteers – (recruitment, induction, development, motivation, performance management) such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards and that staffing budgets are adhered to;
• Responsible for the line management of Visitor Service Supervisors and Visitor Services Assistants.
• Instil a Health & Safety culture across the property, ensuring the team work within the properties Risk Assessments to reduce risk of incidents and accidents to volunteers, employees and visitors.
• Budgets – (setting, phasing, monitoring, reporting, pro-active and re-active adjustments together with the Operations Manager, General Manager, Business Manager and Finance Manager) to ensure that the finances are sustainable within the context of the wider property budgets;
• Plan and deliver annual events and functions strategy with support of NE regional office and Visitor Service Supervisors.
• Create a culture of ‘exceptional service, every time’. Delivering high standards of delivery and a consistently warm welcome within the catering department
• Driving the visitor services experience to achieve financial targets, maximising income and profitability, using the Trust’s procedures and instructions. You will strive to be efficient and ensure cost effectiveness in all the work you do.
• Ensure the cornerstones of the National Trust for Scotland are achieved at every property namely, conservation, access and memorable visitor experiences for all guests.
• You will ensure high standards of presentation at all times, you may have delegated tasks within other departments and you will understand and help deliver your overall properties business plan.
• Taking responsibility for opening and closing and security of buildings as well as emergency procedure implementation, duty management and providing relief cover as required;
• The post holder will be designated for the property as the “responsible person” concerning issues around the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. For this element of your role, you will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

Footer

Looking to work in the attractions industry or for a new challenge within the sector?

Sign up to our job alerts e-mail for up to date job info from ASVA members.

Contact ASVA

Copyright © 2020 ASVA. ASVA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Scotland No: SC153812