Job Description
Thames Chase Community Forest was established in 1990 and covers an area of 98 square miles on the edge of east London and south-west Essex. Thames Chase Trust welcomes around 65,000 visitors per year to the Forest Centre complex. The architecturally acclaimed Visitor Centre is the information hub for the entire Community Forest and includes a cafe, shop, and public toilets. The complex also includes a 17th century barn, original stable block, refurbished Education Room, and farm cottages.
Our dedicated and friendly Forest Centre team seeks to provide the best possible visitor experience and to continue to develop and grow the complex. You will manage volunteers and five members of staff focussed on the Forest Centre complex. The staff team includes four Forest Centre Assistants and one Forest Centre Caretaker. You will be further supported by our Communications and Media Officer, Finance Officer, and Administration Officer. You will also work closely with the Progammes Team whose focus is project delivery across the Community Forest.
Role Description - What will you do?
People
You will bring this spectacular place closer to the hearts of visitors, our local communities and our many partners and you will lead on facilities, retail, catering (outsourced), visitor experience, membership, and volunteer teams.
You will show initiative in developing the visitor experience through events, guiding, informing, and reinforcing the Thames Chase Plan, brand and values.
You will need to be able to promote the natural and cultural heritage of landscapes.
You will be familiar with the use of professional and social media and will need to be an exceptional communicator and an inspiring manager for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of staff and volunteers.
You will know just how to get the very best out of everyone and to support and motivate the team. There are set targets for income, and you will be responsible for ensuring that your team meets these.
You will lead the development, integration and delivery of all the visitor facing elements of the Thames Chase Forest Centre complex.
Place
You will work with the Thames Chase Community Forest Director, Deputy Director, your fellow colleagues and with the support of the Board of Trustees, to create a sense of place, a destination venue and a resource that families and visitors will consider as a day’s offer.
You will sensitively maximise the built heritage within the complex, acknowledging that this adds to the sense of place, our culture, heritage, and tradition. In particular, the agricultural heritage of this landscape.
Business
You will support the Thames Chase Community Forest Deputy Director in leading staff and volunteers in developing and growing the income from all aspects of the Forest Centre, to support the work and aims of the Community Forest and provide a quality visitor experience.
To create a robust business plan for the Forest Centre complex that identifies income potential and scope for maximising the diverse facilities on site whilst protecting the built, cultural and natural heritage
The approach you will need and the skills and attributes we require
To be an exceptional communicator, team-player, and an inspiring manager of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team. Teamwork will be essential for your role.
To quickly gain an understanding of the Thames Chase Plan and the overall functions, aims and objectives of Thames Chase Community Forest.
To quickly gain an understanding of the Forest Centre budget and financial procedures.
To be familiar with the use of social media, be an effective communicator and able to engage and enthuse others.
To be IT proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Google Docs.
To have a Full UK driving licence.
To be flexible. The operation of the Forest Centre complex is 7 days. The role requires some evening, weekend and bank holiday working