Area Managers play a vital role in our Retail business, leading property teams to successfully deliver the National Commercial Plan.

The Hours: Full Time 37.5 hours per week.

The Salary: £43,407 per annum (Full Time Equivalent)

Duration: Fixed-term 12month maternity cover

Location of role and area of cover: This fantastic opportunity covers a large patch across Wales and the West Midlands where visibility will be required as part of the role. Our retail outlets in this patch are in Wales: Chirk Castle, Dyffryn Gardens, Erdigg, Plas Newydd, Penryhn Castle, Powis Castle, St Davids (Pembroke), Rhossili (the Gower), and in the West Midlands: Attingham Park, Croome Park, and Wightwick Manor.

Interview: 1 June 2023 at Powis Castle

We’re passionate about providing exceptional retail experiences to our visitors, day in day out. You’ll use your commercial expertise and people skills to contribute to an important cause in inspirational surroundings.

Looking after a portfolio of properties you’ll work closely with key stakeholders including General Managers and leading your Retail Managers to grow profitability and embed change.

The Area Manager role is operationally focussed and manages an operation that welcomes visitors 363 days of the year. As such the Area Managers’ working pattern reflects this and includes working weekends, evenings, and public holidays in response to business need

Reporting to the Head of Operational Delivery, you’ll;

• Manage your portfolio of property-based Retail Managers to develop action plans to drive proactive solutions, delivering profit and sustainable growth
• Deliver national strategic priorities for Commercial and deliver the Retail Plan and objectives
• Work collaboratively with General Managers, helping to drive and deliver property objectives
• Work with financial business partners to influence and plan budgets
• Use your expertise to change perceptions and ways of working to drive business performance
• Ensure effective controls are in place so that your portfolio remains compliant, follows relevant legislation, and adheres to internal processes and procedures
• Work with internal stakeholders to support Retail team recruitment, contribute to staff development plans and utilise internal opportunities to upskill property teams
• Share best practice, learnings and offer support to ensure brilliant service is delivered every day

National & Regional travel is an intrinsic part of this role. A clean driving license and access to your own vehicle will be essential.

Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert, include a covering letter and CV with your application

In your application, please provide details of how you meet the following minimum criteria:

• Strong commercial acumen and demonstrable technical knowledge of the Retail business
• Multi-unit operational management experience within a national organisation
• Ability to assert and challenge in a supportive manner
• Financial acumen regarding management and delivery of budgets
• Proven track record of performance leadership, ability to analyse issues holistically, using judgement to arrive at effective solutions and implement performance improvements
• Demonstrable consulting and coaching skills
• Proven influencing skills whilst improving stakeholder engagement
• Ability to deliver change within an evolving commercial business
• Strong communication and diplomacy skills to navigate challenging conversations and influence change

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)

• Tax free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Perks at work discounts i.e. 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 locations

• Independent financial advice

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