General Manager

Summary

Looking after urban places and removing barriers to nature, beauty and history is a core part of the National Trust’s strategy. Birmingham and the Black Country are at the heart of delivering against these ambitions.   

As General Manager for Birmingham and the Black Country you’ll be responsible for a diverse property portfolio ranging from one of the Trust’s smallest properties at Birmingham Back to Backs, to one of its busiest countryside sites at the Clent Hills.  You'll encourage and empower your team, turning strategy into reality and delivering across a broad range of operational areas. 

Your work will be as much about bringing nature, beauty and history to our members and visitors at the places we look after, as it will supporting the work of our urban programme across the city. 

You'll lead a team of 30 staff and 80 volunteers, working with our regional and national specialist teams. 

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations, you’ll be the figurehead of our work in Birmingham and the Black Country.  You’ll have the opportunity to have significant impact on the wider urban programme in Birmingham and in engaging new audiences through exciting collaborations and partnerships.

You'll work alongside a wider General Manager community across the Midlands & East of England region as well as our internal Consultancy.

You'll manage several Heads of Department, each with their own specialty, from programming to facilities, visitor experience  and will work with regional teams and consultants. You'll encourage your team to succeed across all areas to fund investment back into delivery.

You will look for opportunities extend the National Trust’s impact and delivery at a city wide scale, working closely with the wider Birmingham urban programme.  You’ll support work within the places we look after as well project development with communities more widely across the city.   

You'll focus on providing inspirational leadership for staff and volunteers, building an inclusive culture where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.   You’ll oversee the ongoing development of a great visitor experience with a focus on customer service as well as managing risk and compliance.

You'll love working with people and making things happen: As an 'expert generalist' you'll have experience across a diverse remit. You'll be experienced with finances, fundraising, people and projects to ensure successful delivery of the Trust’s charitable objectives.

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• forward-thinking in your approach to balancing the needs of heritage, nature, and people.  
• interested in our visitors and local communities and what matters to them including excellent service delivery
• experienced with leading diverse operational teams in both onsite and off-site delivery
• experienced in working in partnership with others including communities in an urban setting
•  confident in financial and project management with experience in fundraising.
• confident managing operational risk, understand the underpinning need for compliance and know what it means to hold others to account
• a skilled communicator, who can build strong relationships within diverse teams and partners, both internally and externally 
• a leader for inclusion, who finds ways to create an inclusive culture.

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

•Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

•Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

•Rental deposit loan scheme

•Season ticket loan

•EV car lease scheme 

•Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

•Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

•Flexible working whenever possible

•Employee assistance programme

•Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.