Director of Visitor Experience Full Time

Bader College

Looking for a new challenge? Fancy working at a picturesque 15th century moated castle? Then we have just the job for you as our new Director of Visitor Experience. As part of the senior leadership team, you will have overall strategic responsibility for increasing our commercial operations and ensuring a high-quality experience for all visitors to our 600-acre estate.

Salary: Competitive based on experience

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week over 5 days, with additional flexibility as required for the role, may include weekends

Interviews: w/c 16 October 2023

If you have any questions about this role please contact the CEO, Professor Janine Griffiths-Baker, for an informal discussion:

What it’s like to work here

Bader College, located at the historic Herstmonceux Castle Estate in East Sussex, is the overseas campus of Queen’s University, Canada. The college occupies 600 acres and offers a range of academic, residential, and recreational programmes. The castle is grade I listed, the Observatory Science Centre grade II , and the formal gardens are also grade II. Over 30,000 visitors each year come to see our attractive 15th century moated castle, its formal gardens and beautiful grounds. The estate offers an impressive venue all year round for weddings, corporate functions and as a filming location.

In addition to a competitive salary, generous paid annual leave and benefit package, we offer:

• auto-enrol pension scheme with guaranteed contribution from the College.
• employee assistance programme.
• opportunities for relevant training and development.
• free on-site parking.
• free campus gymnasium.
• access to the College lending library: books, DVDs, CDs and more.
• access to Castle gardens and grounds during breaks in the working day, at weekends and during holidays from work.
• a working environment comprising an historic building with beautiful gardens and grounds.
• friendly, supportive colleagues in the close-knit Castle community.

What you’ll be doing

You will have overall strategic responsibility for delivering a high-quality experience for all visitors to the college, castle, and estate. The successful candidate will directly oversee the work of the customer services, marketing, communications and development teams and lead collaboration with colleagues across the organisation to ensure a joined up, rich and impressive end-to-end customer journey. As a senior leader, the postholder will contribute to the wider strategy, business planning and success of the visitor experience team and will play an active role in supporting public engagement and the wider strategic objectives of the college.

Our ideal candidate

You’ll have:

• Experience of leadership and management in the heritage, hospitality or visitor attraction sector.
• Ability to manage a complex portfolio, staff and budgets.
• Extensive understanding of creating excellence in customer service with a proven record in the improvement and implementation of an end-to-end customer journey.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to take responsibility and ownership.
• Ability to manage a high volume of work in a calm and efficient manner.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.

How to apply

Please provide by email via the button below a copy of your latest CV (max 3 pages) together with a personal statement (max 2 pages) which sets out how you meet the person specification and why you are interested in applying for this pivotal role.