About this role
Summary
Could you lead a team looking after 17 unique holiday cottages across Northumberland and the North East?
From a cosy cottage sleeping two to a historic house welcoming 16 guests, our holiday cottages offer something special. Spread across Durham, Northumberland, Lindisfarne and Hadrian's Wall, each property has its own character, setting and story.
We're looking for a Holidays Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation and performance of this varied portfolio, ensuring our guests enjoy memorable stays while supporting the long-term success of our holiday business.
You'll lead a team, manage budgets and oversee property maintenance, working with colleagues and contractors to keep everything running smoothly. From maintaining high standards to finding opportunities to improve how we work, you'll play an important part in delivering a successful holidays operation.
What it's like to work here
You'll be part of our regional Holidays team, working together to look after a diverse collection of cottages in some of the North East's most beautiful locations.
No two days will be quite the same. Your time will be split between office-based work, visiting cottages and supporting your team, giving you plenty of opportunities to get out and about across the portfolio.
As the cottages are spread across a wide geographical area, regular travel is an important part of the role, and you'll need to have access to your own vehicle.
This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week. You'll work with colleagues to organise a rota providing management cover six days a week, including Saturdays when cottage changeovers take place. This may involve working approximately one Saturday in three, with a day off during the week.
What you'll be doing
Our Holidays business plays an important role in supporting the National Trust's conservation work, generating income that can be reinvested in caring for nature, beauty and history.
As Holidays Manager, you'll be responsible for the successful operation of your portfolio, balancing commercial performance with high standards of property care, guest experience and team management.
Your key responsibilities will include
- Leading and developing your team, overseeing recruitment, induction, day-to-day management and ongoing development to help colleagues deliver their best.
- Managing the financial performance of your portfolio, including budgets, forecasting, cost control and achieving commercial targets.
- Overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring cottages are well maintained and ready to welcome guests, with consistent standards across the portfolio.
- Delivering a truly positive guest experience, maintaining housekeeping standards, responding to incidents and identifying opportunities to improve guest satisfaction.
- Managing safety and compliance, ensuring operational risks are identified and managed, and that teams follow National Trust policies, procedures and brand standards.
- Working with colleagues, suppliers and contractors to coordinate maintenance, resolve operational issues and support the smooth running of each property.
- Supporting business development, working with colleagues on marketing, business planning and opportunities to improve performance or develop the holidays offer.
Who we're looking for
- A proven ability to lead, coach and motivate multi-site teams, with excellent communication, relationship building and influencing skills.
- A flexible, customer focused approach and confidence working with partners, suppliers and varied internal teams.
- Sound financial capability, including budget management, forecasting, financial controls and delivering commercial targets.
- Ability to manage operational risk, with strong knowledge of Health & Safety, compliance and emergency procedures.
- Experience contributing to business plans, overseeing small projects and supporting new holiday developments.
- Understanding of housekeeping, maintenance standards and property presentation.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and bespoke systems.
- A valid driving licence and willingness to travel across a wide geographic area
The package
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 (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- 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.