Operations DirectorRole:
Location: Kington, Herefordshire (On-site)
Salary: £45,000-£50,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Reporting to: Chairman of the Board
Governance: Position on the Board of Directors (Monthly Meetings)
Start date: Immediate start preferred
Application Deadline: 24th April 2026 5pm
The Role Purpose:
The Operations Director (OD) will hold total accountability for the day-to-day running of Dunfield House. As a Board member, you will translate the Board’s long-term vision into operational reality. Your mission is to maximise the potential of our 15-acre estate, ensuring exceptional guest experiences across all potential revenue streams, while maintaining the financial health and charitable ethos of the venue.
Organisational Structure:
You will act as the "hub" of Dunfield House, providing leadership, mentorship, and accountability to a dedicated senior management team.
Direct Reports:
- Sales & Marketing Manager: Driving occupancy and commercial revenue.
- Admin Assistant: Oversight of HR, budgets, cash flow, and financial reporting.
- Site Caretaker: Ensuring the 15-acre site, indoor pool, and historic buildings are safe, compliant, and well-maintained.
- Head of Kitchen: Managing food safety, gross profit (GP), and quality of service.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Prepare and present monthly operational reports to the Chairman and the Board.
- Present Key financial reports in collaboration with the admin assistant.
- Lead the annual business planning process.
- In collaboration with the sales and marketing manager, implement the marketing strategy.
- Act as a guardian of Dunfield’s culture, ensuring the venue remains a "home from home" for all guests.
2. Financial & Commercial Management
- Work with the admin assistant to optimise margins, particularly focusing on energy efficiency and food costs.
- Work with the sales & marketing manager to implement dynamic pricing and improve mid-week occupancy.
- Understands the importance of financial management and has the ability to compile financial reports for Board meetings.
3. Operational Excellence & Compliance
- Oversee the site caretaker to ensure rigorous health and safety standards, particularly regarding the indoor pool and fire safety in a high-capacity residential setting.
- Oversee the head of kitchen to ensure 5-star hygiene ratings and efficient volume catering for up to 90 guests.
- Streamline internal processes (booking systems, staff rotas, guest check-ins) to improve efficiency.
- Share duty manager responsibilities.
4. People & Culture
- Foster a high-performing, collaborative environment between the distinct departments.
- Manage recruitment, appraisals, and professional development for the senior team.
Performance Indicators (KPIs):
1. Financial & Efficiency KPIs
- Primary KPI: Achievement of 103 FHE days.
- Secondary KPI: 15% conversion rate of OTA guests to direct bookers.
- Tertiary KPI: Average TRev P/Ag of £2.00+ per guest.
2. Operational & Capacity KPIs
- Full House Equivalent (FHE) Readiness: While Sales book the days, Operations must ensure the site is "Turnaround Ready." A KPI for "Zero Down-Time" between back-to-back groups.
- The "Pool Availability" Score: A KPI of 98%+ uptime (excluding scheduled maintenance).
- Catering Margin: 70% Gross Profit (GP) on meals by managing waste and seasonal purchasing.
3. Compliance & Duty Management KPIs
- Health & Safety Audit Score: 100% compliance on monthly internal safety checks (Fire, Water/Legionella, Pool, Safeguarding).
- Guest "Home from Home" Satisfaction: A score (derived from post-stay surveys) specifically measuring Cleanliness and Facility Functionality.
- Staff Retention & Training: A target for Staff Turnover < 15%.
The Ideal Candidate:
Experience:
- Senior Management: At least 5 years in a senior operational role within hospitality, residential centres, or large-scale venue management.
- Board-Level Presence: Comfortable reporting to a Board and communicating complex operational data to stakeholders.
- Commercial Acumen: Proven track record of improving profit margins without compromising service quality.
- Team Leadership: Experience managing diverse teams (from maintenance and catering to sales and finance).
Skills:
- Strategic Thinking: The ability to look beyond the day-to-day and plan for the next 3–5 years.
- Financial Literacy: Ability to interpret P&Ls, balance sheets, and budget variances.
- Adaptability: Equally comfortable in a boardroom meeting as they are walking the estate with a contractor.
Benefits:
- Board Position: A genuine opportunity to shape the future of a significant regional venue.
- Autonomy: High degree of freedom to implement operational changes and drive the commercial strategy.
- Environment: Work in a beautiful 15-acre setting in the Herefordshire countryside.
Why Join Us?
You will be taking the helm of a financially viable venue at a pivotal moment of transition. You have the opportunity to secure the future of a unique estate that serves as a vital resource for schools, churches, and families alike.
#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-20”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Dunfield House”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__436810595__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “” } } }Operations DirectorRole:
Location: Kington, Herefordshire (On-site)
Salary: £45,000-£50,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Reporting to: Chairman of the Board
Governance: Position on the Board of Directors (Monthly Meetings)
Start date: Immediate start preferred
Application Deadline: 24th April 2026 5pm
The Role Purpose:
The Operations Director (OD) will hold total accountability for the day-to-day running of Dunfield House. As a Board member, you will translate the Board’s long-term vision into operational reality. Your mission is to maximise the potential of our 15-acre estate, ensuring exceptional guest experiences across all potential revenue streams, while maintaining the financial health and charitable ethos of the venue.
Organisational Structure:
You will act as the “hub” of Dunfield House, providing leadership, mentorship, and accountability to a dedicated senior management team.
Direct Reports:
- Sales & Marketing Manager: Driving occupancy and commercial revenue.
- Admin Assistant: Oversight of HR, budgets, cash flow, and financial reporting.
- Site Caretaker: Ensuring the 15-acre site, indoor pool, and historic buildings are safe, compliant, and well-maintained.
- Head of Kitchen: Managing food safety, gross profit (GP), and quality of service.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Prepare and present monthly operational reports to the Chairman and the Board.
- Present Key financial reports in collaboration with the admin assistant.
- Lead the annual business planning process.
- In collaboration with the sales and marketing manager, implement the marketing strategy.
- Act as a guardian of Dunfield’s culture, ensuring the venue remains a “home from home” for all guests.
2. Financial & Commercial Management
- Work with the admin assistant to optimise margins, particularly focusing on energy efficiency and food costs.
- Work with the sales & marketing manager to implement dynamic pricing and improve mid-week occupancy.
- Understands the importance of financial management and has the ability to compile financial reports for Board meetings.
3. Operational Excellence & Compliance
- Oversee the site caretaker to ensure rigorous health and safety standards, particularly regarding the indoor pool and fire safety in a high-capacity residential setting.
- Oversee the head of kitchen to ensure 5-star hygiene ratings and efficient volume catering for up to 90 guests.
- Streamline internal processes (booking systems, staff rotas, guest check-ins) to improve efficiency.
- Share duty manager responsibilities.
4. People & Culture
- Foster a high-performing, collaborative environment between the distinct departments.
- Manage recruitment, appraisals, and professional development for the senior team.
Performance Indicators (KPIs):
1. Financial & Efficiency KPIs
- Primary KPI: Achievement of 103 FHE days.
- Secondary KPI: 15% conversion rate of OTA guests to direct bookers.
- Tertiary KPI: Average TRev P/Ag of £2.00+ per guest.
2. Operational & Capacity KPIs
- Full House Equivalent (FHE) Readiness: While Sales book the days, Operations must ensure the site is “Turnaround Ready.” A KPI for “Zero Down-Time” between back-to-back groups.
- The “Pool Availability” Score: A KPI of 98%+ uptime (excluding scheduled maintenance).
- Catering Margin: 70% Gross Profit (GP) on meals by managing waste and seasonal purchasing.
3. Compliance & Duty Management KPIs
- Health & Safety Audit Score: 100% compliance on monthly internal safety checks (Fire, Water/Legionella, Pool, Safeguarding).
- Guest “Home from Home” Satisfaction: A score (derived from post-stay surveys) specifically measuring Cleanliness and Facility Functionality.
- Staff Retention & Training: A target for Staff Turnover < 15%.
The Ideal Candidate:
Experience:
- Senior Management: At least 5 years in a senior operational role within hospitality, residential centres, or large-scale venue management.
- Board-Level Presence: Comfortable reporting to a Board and communicating complex operational data to stakeholders.
- Commercial Acumen: Proven track record of improving profit margins without compromising service quality.
- Team Leadership: Experience managing diverse teams (from maintenance and catering to sales and finance).
Skills:
- Strategic Thinking: The ability to look beyond the day-to-day and plan for the next 3–5 years.
- Financial Literacy: Ability to interpret P&Ls, balance sheets, and budget variances.
- Adaptability: Equally comfortable in a boardroom meeting as they are walking the estate with a contractor.
Benefits:
- Board Position: A genuine opportunity to shape the future of a significant regional venue.
- Autonomy: High degree of freedom to implement operational changes and drive the commercial strategy.
- Environment: Work in a beautiful 15-acre setting in the Herefordshire countryside.
Why Join Us?
You will be taking the helm of a financially viable venue at a pivotal moment of transition. You have the opportunity to secure the future of a unique estate that serves as a vital resource for schools, churches, and families alike.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…