Visitor & Recreation Manager

Salary: P02 (SCP 31-34) £40,476 - £43,693 gross per annum

The council may retain a list of reserve candidates arising from this recruitment campaign, for any vacancies which may arise which are the same or similar and are of an equal grade of pay. Such a reserve list will be compiled and held for a period of 12 months’. This will be for Permanent and Temporary roles.

Purpose and Function of Post

·       To be responsible for efficient day to day operational management of designated facilities within the Development Department to ensure the highest standards of staff/customer safety, cleanliness, administration, care and excellence are maintained, in accordance with agreed safety, quality, governance and legislative requirements

·       To develop relationships, actively promoting customer engagement and partnership working to ensure increased participation, income and a varied timetable of activities and to implement a programme of continuous improvement to meet community need.

·       To develop partnership and engagement with the local community and wider users to promote facilities for mixed use for Arts, Visitor, and Community.

Principal Duties

1.     Manage the designated facility by implementing opportunities which will result in income growth, increased participation and the reduction of net operating costs by ensuring expenditure and income in line with the budget, ensuring accountability and good governance.

2.     Assist the Strategic Manager to produce and introduce new programmes, products, promotional campaigns and allocation of resources to maximise visitor numbers, bookings and income and recommending and implementing improvement action where targets are not being reached.

3.     Ensure all activities/programmes/events complement the Council’s commitment to health and well-being and maintain close liaison with the Health & Wellbeing Manager and external partners to proactively develop, support and implement a wide range of well-being initiatives with a particular emphasis increasing participation in those groups and individuals not currently availing of open spaces and recreation/visitor facilities within Council.

4.     Responsible for overseeing the programming of Council activities, groups and user programmes, activities, bookings requests, events, conferencing and meetings within the facility/facilities, thus providing a balanced allocation of activity.

5.     Responsible for ensuring the trails are maximised in terms of use and activity and remain to a quality standard of visitor activity.

6.     To lead and deliver allocated events and promotions in conjunction with the Events Team, local community and other partners to include developing and overseeing the implementation of an event management plan.

7.     To develop partnership and engagement with the local community and wider users to promote facilities for mixed use for Arts, Visitor, and Community.

8.     Maintain robust performance and management information systems and analyse and interpret data to identify how the operational and financial performance of open spaces and recreation/visitor facilities and its programmes can be improved and KPI’s achieved.

9.     Assist with the preparation of annual budget estimates and implement the same for services under control and ensuring robust records in place to ensure compliance.

10. In conjunction with the Strategic Manager and the marketing department, proactively promote, publicise and upsell the facility/facilities by ensuring compliance to the agreed plans and robust management of processes with all staff.

11. Assist the Strategic Manager with revenue and capital projects within the department including specifications and tendering processes under the Council procurement systems. Thereafter managing allocated specific projects in order to deliver within set timeframes and budgets.

12. Drive cultural change by leading and developing a multi-disciplinary team through effective and inspiring leadership and promote robust and consistent communication methods that are clear, effective and transparent at all levels.

Service Development

13. Ensure high standards of cleanliness/hygiene/maintenance and excellence in customer services within the facility along with leading by example in the development of processes, training and instilling a proactive customer service, cleaning and good housekeeping/maintenance culture within open spaces and recreation/visitor facilities.

14. Lead, motivate, appraise and develop employees under the management of the post holder ensuring at all times that employees:

·       operate within the Council policies;

·       achieve their objectives and targets in the most efficient and effective manner in line with the performance management framework;

·       work in a corporate and collaborative way with other services across all departments and directorates;

·       purposively, efficiently and effectively work with the resources available, within the allocated time and budget; and

·       continuously develop within their area of responsibility

15. Ensure staffing requirements within designated open spaces and recreation/visitor facilities are maintained, monitored in accordance with standard operating procedures. Proactively ensure that all staffing requirements including rota cover and recruitment and selection are in place in a cost effective and timely manner to maintain full public service provision.

16. Responsible for managing the overall day to day safe and efficient operation of designated facility in all matters relating to health, safety and financial risk governance along with effective and efficient utilisation of all staff, buildings, plant and other resources, ensuring that all relevant statutory and Council health and safety requirements, policies, procedures, training requirements and work instructions are adhered to at all time and maintenance of up to date records to support same.

17. Ensure a proactive approach is maintained in open spaces and recreation/visitor facilities to hazard identification, maintenance issues or damage to building and equipment which could pose health and safety issues to staff or facility users and remain fit for purpose with minimal customer disruption. Ensure risk assessments, work instructions/procedures, building checks and associated records are up to date and maintained.

18. Manage and maintain the security of facilities under the management of the post holder ensuring out of hours emergency cover remains in force at all times and be able to respond to service needs.

19. The post holder will be required to fulfil the role of Duty Manager to cover the facility and at times others in the Development Department throughout the District and to deliver relevant training to staff within areas of responsibility.

20. To procure and manage a range of Contracts, Service Level Agreements and Concessions ensuring compliance with Procurement Policy.

21. Contribute to the Mid Ulster District Council’s Corporate Plan.

22. When required, assist in the execution of the Council’s Emergency and Business Continuity Plans.

23. Undertake any other relevant duties that may be required and are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

24. Comply with MUDC Health & Safety policy and Codes of Practice and adhere to all Equal Opportunities policies and promote a positive approach to equality and diversity within the workplace. Act in accordance with the code of conduct for local government employees.

Note: This job description has been written at a time of organisational change and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. Therefore, the post-holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description but which are commensurate with the role.

Person Specification

1. Qualifications and Experience

1.1 Qualifications

·       Applicants must have a third level qualification

1.2 Applicants must provide specific and personal examples of having a minimum of one years experience in the following areas:

·       Operational & performance management of a customer focused facility.

·       Managing a team of staff.

·       Manage a substantial budget with well-established operating systems and procedures.

·        Development, delivery and implementation of projects/programmes.

OR for Applicants who do not hold a third level qualification

1.1 Qualifications

·       Applicants must have a minimum 5 GCSE’s (Grades A-C) or equivalent including English Language and a numeracy based subject;

AND

1.2 Experience

Applicants must provide specific and personal examples of having a minimum of three years experience in the following areas

·       Operational & performance management of a customer focused facility.

·       Managing a team of staff.

·       Manage a substantial budget with well-established operating systems and procedures.

·        Development, delivery and implementation of projects/programmes.

Applicants must possess a full, current driving licence which enables them to drive in Northern Ireland and a vehicle available for official business, or have access to a form of transport which enables them to meet the requirements of the post in full1.

1Please be advised that this alternative is a “reasonable adjustment” specifically for applicants with disabilities who, as a result of their disability, are unable to hold a full, current driving licence.

The shortlisting panel reserves the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria

2. Competencies

In accordance with the Competency Framework for Local Government2 applicants for this post must demonstrate the following competencies at Operational level:

2.1 Providing Leadership and Direction:

Leadership – the ability to lead staff to achieve goals by encouraging all to contribute and by focusing on outcomes.

Managing Performance – ensure that individual and departmental objectives are aligned with business plans and corporate strategy

2.2 Managing Yourself

Communicating with impact – the ability to draft reports and letters and the ability to provide advisory communications with the capacity to address groups and meetings clearly, enthusiastically and effectively whilst listening to and addressing responses authoritatively.

Managing your own work – the ability to plan and prioritise demanding work-loads to ensure a constant flow of work and to minimise peaks and troughs.

2.3 Working with Others

Collaborating in a Political Environment – an awareness of the need to enhance and protect the image and profile of the council whilst avoiding actions that may adversely affect the council or its elected members.

Influencing Outcomes –influencing and persuading skills: the ability to win the support of staff, elected members and senior management.

2.4 Moving Forward

Achieving Results – taking personal responsibility for making things happen. Showing motivation and perseverance in overcoming obstacles and achieving results.

Continuously Improving Services – seek to continually improve the services and processes that impact on users.

2 Further details on these competencies and their associated positive indicators can be found in the Competency Framework for Local Government at www.lgsc.org.uk.