Harris Hill are working with Gunnersbury Estate CIC in their search to appoint an Operations Manager to support their vision to make Gunnersbury the outstanding heritage and visitor attraction in west London.

Following the multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Grade II* Gunnersbury Park Mansion and Museum and restoration of the estate gardens and lakes, Gunnersbury has been transformed. They welcomed over one million visitors to the estate last year, and with the arrival of a new sports hub in Spring 2020 and the return of high-profile events hosted in the park, they are aiming for an additional 700,000 visits per year.

As the CIC entrusted with operating the estate for an initial 25-year term, they're committed to developing Gunnersbury as an outstanding, accessible and inclusive cultural and leisure destination for the diverse communities of west London. As Operations Manager, you will play a key role in realising this commitment, leading day to day operations and delivery of the high-quality management and maintenance of Gunnersbury's 75-hectare park and complex mix of 22 listed buildings and modern, contemporary leisure and recreation facilities.

They are looking for an experienced, energetic and ambitious person to join our dynamic, entrepreneurial and multi-disciplinary team. You will have a track record of achieving excellence in the management of heritage, visitor attraction or leisure sites and assets.

Leading the in-house parks and gardens team and visitor experience team, you will also take a lead role in managing a wide range of external contractors and concessionaires including, catering, events and hospitality and sports and recreation.

Key Responsibilities:
-To ensure that the day today operation of the park and museum is managed effectively to provide an all- year- round safe, stimulating and enjoyable environment for visitors, learners and users of the diverse cultural and recreational facilities located within the Gunnersbury Estate.
-Manage the Visitor Experience team manager to provide a high-quality visitor experience of the museum and park grounds
-Manage the Park Manager to ensure that the park estate is managed safely and efficiently throughout the year
-Ensure that the Historic buildings and structures of the Gunnersbury Park estate are conserved, managed and maintained
-Ensure the smooth running of the museum buildings, heritage structures and park facilities through the effective management of in-house staff, via contractual relationships with external providers
-Actively monitor the condition of buildings and park infrastructure to ensure that all day to day repairs, cyclical and planned preventative maintenance is carried out in a timely fashion and within budgets.
Benchmark and tender outsourced services and activities from time to time to ensure that all operational areas under the remit are effective and offer value for money.
-Oversee the Gunnersbury estate (museum and park) compliance with relevant health and safety and licensing regulations
-Ensure that thorough and appropriate safety records are maintained
-Work with senior colleagues and Chief Executive to ensure that the organizational risk register is regularly reviewed and mitigating actions are implemented and kept to date
-Line manage the Maintenance Officer, planning work, managing performance, supporting training and developing the post holder.
-Ensure that the soft and hard landscaping and horticultural features of the park are maintained to a high standard and that all heritage features are appropriately conserved.
Plan and monitor the work of the Park Manager and in-house specialist gardening team
-Oversee the smooth operation of all park concessions and leasehold interests across the estate.
-Ensure that the CIC's responsibility and obligations in terms of health and safety, security and accessibility of the park estate are consistently maintained


Skills and Experience required:
-Relevant degree or vocational qualification in at least one of the core areas of property, facilities management, estate management
-Demonstrate knowledge of the operation and management of public spaces, cultural, heritage or visitor attraction facilities
-Up to date knowledge of statutory building and health and safety regulations
-Strong staff management skills with a proven track record of leading high performing teams
-Entrepreneurial, commercially aware and able to effectively managed delegated budget
-Experience of strategic planning and decision making
-Demonstrable experience of managing and negotiating contracts and procurement