Assistant Director - Operations

Salary range for this role is between GBP65,000 and GBP75,000

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Thank you for taking time in showing interest in this important leadership role for the National Trust in the North of England. The Assistant Director role is a pivotal post within the region, leading a team of General Managers across Cumbria and North Lancashire who ultimately care for an amazing array of places from high fells and farms in the heart of the Lake District, to nature rich reserves around Morecombe Bay to some of our most significant houses that were the homes of famous people like Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.

Traditionally this role would have all been about the conservation and protection of these places but now it's as much about the people who visit and how they connect with their surrounding landscapes and communities. The Trust has continued to evolve over its 125 years and so has the role of its leaders. We want to attract the very best, a person who is driven by getting the best out of the individuals and teams around them, using a broad range of skills to coach and motivate them. This is a significant leadership role in one of the most cherished landscapes in Britain.

Interviews for this role will be commence with telephone interviews on 30 September 2021 and follow on face to face on October 6.

Salary range for this role is between GBP62,000 and GBP75,000

What it's like to work here

As Regional Director, I am passionate about creating a high performing leadership team across the North, made up of inspirational leaders, who have a passion for the North and the role cultural and natural heritage can play in its regeneration. This is even more relevant now with the renewed focus on 'rebalancing' the national investments and as we rebuild following the impact of Covid19.

Building trusted relationships externally and internally will be critical part of this role, being an authentic voice for the region, able to speak with passion and clarity and make connections between our internal strategic priorities and external agendas, funders and partners.

What you'll be doing

You will have the privilege of working at some truly awe inspiring places but we have ambition that these places are accessible and relevant to all, so I want to recruit leaders with an inclusive mindset, able to challenge behaviours and align personally to our core organisational values.

At the heart of this role will be accountability for our operational management at our places, from delivering the financial bottom line, to meeting our ambitious nature and carbon targets to constantly improving our service scores and visitor experience. You will also be expected to sponsor major development and / or conservation projects in the area that enable delivery of our strategy and growth agenda.

The core area of our holdings in this portfolio are within the Lake District National Park, where we are a key partner within the National Park and World Heritage Partnerships. Partnership working will need to be a key skill set for the successful applicant, along with experience in developing clear strategic, visionary, and long–term plans. What's clear is that we are at a time of significant change within the Lakes and broader upland environment in England, both in terms of land management but also visitor expectations and needs as the audience demographic widens. This role will be at the heart of setting out our response and working with partners to overcome these challenges

Who we're looking for

Each member of the Regional Team also takes on lead roles for the region aligned to key strategic outcomes and national Directorates. Although I am open to the area which this applicant might lead, I am particularly interested in applications from people who have had experience of working and leading within Protected Areas (e.g. National Parks) or working at a strategic level within a complex partnership, multi stakeholder environment. You will also have opportunity to shape and get involved in national thinking and delivery as part of a broader Assistant Director community across the organisation, so you will need to display confidence and experience at working at a senior level within an organisation.

If you would like to discuss the vacancy further do feel free to contact me via email at