Head of Visitor Operations

We are looking for a leader with a proven track record of managing successful visitor focussed commercial operations. A confident communicator with influencing skills, you will provide direction and leadership for RSPB visitor operations making money to deliver our charitable purpose as well as ensuring they play their part for people and the planet too.

The successful candidate will:

Set the direction for RSPB visitor operations on our nature reserves. Through strategic leadership and collaboration, you will lead the development and implementation of a joined-up Visitor Operations plan that builds on our current business whilst looking to diversify and grow our commercial opportunities for the future.

The Visitor Operations Team consists of Retail, Food & Beverage, Visitor Experience, and a Reserves Development team so adaptability is key. As Head of Visitor Operations, you’ll need to work across these different disciplines to lead the team to achieve their goals and ambitions as well as having confidence in collaborating with and influencing others beyond your team.  

Set clear visitor operations standards and commercial targets for the organisation and manage/influence the annual delivery of these.

What you can expect:

This role will cover the whole of the UK and work with reserve teams across the four countries.

The opportunity to lead the strategy for RSPB reserve visitor operations. Retail and food & beverage are important income streams and also key to the development of our visitor experience. This role will be integral to ensuring success across our current estate as well as supporting and developing new opportunities to expand our visitor operations across the UK.

A supportive, dynamic and high performing team around you, the Head of Visitor Operations role is key to delivering the overall RSPB Commercial Strategy ambition.  

Access to excellent learning and development opportunities and employee benefits package.

Opportunities to travel across all four countries in the UK and get closer to our amazing birds and wildlife.

Some days you will be home based or in the office, others you will be visiting some of the most beautiful places in the UK.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Results orientated with a track record of delivering financial results in excess of £5 million
• Experience in setting commercial/business strategy and leading its implementation through a multi-site operation
• Extensive experience of managing multi-site visitor operations in the visitor attraction, tourism or leisure sectors
• Experience/industry knowledge of Food & Beverage, Retail and / or Visitor Experience
• Exceptional relationship building skills - influencing and inspiring colleagues in a geographically diverse and complex organisation
• Proven track record of collaboration to achieve the best business outcomes 
• Experience of leading, motivating and inspiring a multi discipline team
• Strong presentation and inter-personal skills with the experience of influencing senior managers and the ability to communicate at Board / trustee level
• Experience of managing budgets with an expert understanding of revenue and cost management
• Strong understanding of investment, capital spend, project and programme process   

This is a full time permanent position for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 9/11/22. For further information please contact melanie.owenjones@rspb.org.uk 

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.