Castle Steward, St Michael’s MountRecruitment PackMay 2019

St Aubyn Estates has been part of the West Cornwall landscape for more than 600 years. Lord and Lady St Levan and their senior team are at the helm of this family owned enterprise spanning 5,000 acres with a diverse portfolio of businesses which include land and property management, tourism and hospitality, building and farming. Lord and Lady St Levan live on St Michael’s Mount, which they run in partnership with the National Trust.

www.staubynestates.com

About the Company

One of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in the country, St Michael’s Mount is a National Trust property, family home, island community and entrancing visitor destination all in one.

In 1954 Francis St Aubyn (the third Lord St Levan) gave most of St Michael’s Mount to the National Trust, along with a large endowment fund for its upkeep. He retained a 999 year lease for the family to live in the castle and a licence to show the historical rooms to the visiting public. While the National Trust now ensures the preservation and conservation of the Mount, the St Aubyn family continue to live on and manage the island, as they have done since the middle of the 17th century. This unique partnership gives St Michael’s Mount a vibrant community life now as well as preserving its astonishing legacy built up since the island’s earliest known inhabitants during the Bronze Age.

The community on St Michael’s Mount is 30+ strong and defined by a real passion and commitment to the island and its way of life and the 350,000 visitors who make their way to visit us here from all over the world.

Life here follows a cyclical pattern with the main visitor months being April through to the end of October when the island community is joined each day by at least 90+ seasonal staff who help look after our visitors and create a magical day out. The village has a restaurant, café and two gift shops as well as a picturesque harbour. The ferry boats and the tidal causeway link us to the mainland.

Twelve families live on the island and all have a vital role to play in its upkeep such as running the boats, tending the gardens, the conservation of the castle and keeping the island in working order. On a summer’s evening, when all is quiet, there is a chance to enjoy a swim in the harbour or take out a kayak round the island. During the winter, the amphibious vehicle provides a lifeline to Marazion and the community has time to draw closer together. As you can imagine, there are many occasions when islanders need to help one another out and to pull together for the good of the island and castle. A cheerful disposition and positive attitude are essential attributes for any islander.

www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk

About St Michael’s Mount & Island Life

You will work closely with the St Aubyn family to safely and effectively run the private and public areas of the castle and lead the conservation team in the cleaning, care and presentation of the castle, including taking responsibility for initiating heritage and conservation strategies for the ongoing development of this important historic property.

This is a hands-on manager role, also providing clear direction to your team, which currently consists of the Conservation Team.

As part of the wider management team of St Michael’s Mount you will closely work with the other managers, and play a lead role in developing and delivering the Mount’s management strategies.

About the Role

You are somebody who is excited about the prospect of living and working in the castle on St Michael’s Mount, whilst at the same time being realistic about the restrictions this inevitably brings. This is job unlike any other and it will require a very flexible attitude to work.

You will be a dynamic, proactive and innovative team player who thrives on developing a flexible, positive and multi-skilled team working together to provide efficient and effective service that benefit fellow staff, islanders and visitors alike.

You are a “hands-on”, highly skilled, enthusiastic and innovative individual, ideally with proven experience within a heritage environment. You will have previous management experience in leading a team and will have a lot of ambition.

You have the ability to communicate effectively at all levels to motivate and drive results. You will have a contagious passion, excellent organisational and planning skills, enjoy challenging situations and be able to create a positive and innovative working atmosphere. Sustainability is important to you, and you will continuously explore ways to enhance the business.

Due to the nature of the Mount this position requires a good level of physical fitness.

About You

Our Vision and Values

Our Vision is:

To be a force for growth

• to ensure the prosperity of the Estates for future generations

• to help maintain the unique character of St Michael’s Mount

• to benefit the wider community in West Cornwall

Our Values are:

We each should be

• honest • considerate • energetic

• responsible • resourceful

The package

A competitive annual salary of up to approximately £25,000 and 25 days’ holiday per annum, plus recognised Bank Holidays. There will be a requirement to live in the castle on St Michael’s Mount. The service accommodation, a modernised 2 bedroom flat inside the castle, will be provided and is partly furnished.

Applications

To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter detailing your suitability for the role to enquiries@staubynestates.com

Closing date for applications: Friday 7th June at 5pm

Telephone interviews will be held on: 10th, 11th and 12th June

Interviews will be held on: 17th June – all day

Our Vision and Values

Job Description

Principal purpose of role

1. Responsibility for the operational management of the castle;

2. To assist the family in both the private and public areas of the castle;

3. To be responsible for the work of the conservation team and ensure that the cleaning, care and presentation of the castle are maintained, managed, enhanced and developed to the highest standards.

4. To be responsible for the safety and security of the castle and its contents.

Area of responsibility/tasks

Operational Management of the castle

• To use and further develop the castle’s and island’s Building Management Systems.

• Working closely with Cornish Heritage Builders (CHB) contribute to the castle’s maintenance schedule and keep records of all inspections, repairs, service agreements etc. as laid out in the SMM Maintenance Handbook.

• To work closely with CHB to supervise and assist contractors when required.

• Ensure the castle’s infrastructure is safe and fit for purpose.

• To dynamically oversee all castle related planning activities, working closely with the National Trust appointed consultants and CHB.

• To have a hands-on approach to reactive repairs, incl. check for leaks, light bulbs etc.

• To ensure the cleanliness of the castle public lavatories and collection of castle rubbish during the day.

Castle Duties – Working with the Family:

• To assist the Family in the castle as necessary daily (for example with luggage, fires and rubbish).

• To oversee the operation of the tram and run it when required.

• To greet and accompany contractors and guests to the castle (for example caterers).

• To help organise functions and assist in the smooth running of functions.

• To undertake some heavy cleaning duties, furniture moving and picture hanging.

• To be available when required to assist in any further way.

Castle Conservation and Interpretation

• To proactively manage and motivate the conservation team, often being hands-on working with the team, to ensure a consistent, high level of performance of daily cleaning and conservation.

• Initiate, implement, document and meticulously manage strategies appropriate to the Mount to meet collections management, conservation, presentation and access standards, ensuring we comply with NT guidelines (e.g. the Housekeeping Manual).

• Maintain all information management systems relating to the historic property to ensure an up to date record of the house and contents.

• Develop and maintain links with other National Trust properties, as well as academic and heritage organisations and other stakeholders.

• To plan, test and maintain the salvage procedures and be responsible for maintenance and replenishment of equipment.

• To work with CHB to ensure that the fabric and contents are protected and stored prior to any building work, and to work with the maintenance team on re-dressing the rooms.

Job Description continued

• To greet and assist conservation-related visitors and maintain records of their visits and specialist instructions.

• To work with and establish a mutually agreed pattern of liaison with the National Trust conservator and curator, and Lord St Levan.

• To promote good conservation practice throughout the property, with other staff, volunteers and visitors.

• To research the collection and work with others on developing displays and interpretation of the castle and its contents.

• To assist Lord St Levan and the NT Curator undertake research to improve knowledge and interpretation of the property in its wider context.

Finance

• Contribute to set, as well as manage operating and delegated (project) budgets, and to ensure effective use of resources.

• Strive for sustainability and efficiency.

Customer Service

• Work closely with colleagues to ensure the continued positive connection with visitors and their safe access.

• Plan and implement work with visitor access and interest in mind.

• Plan the development of the department to improve the quality of the visitor experience and engagement opportunities whilst maintaining high conservation standards.

• Provide a world class service to all our external and internal customers.

• Be smart, polite and helpful at all times.

• Be aware of all the activities offered on the Mount and be able to answer broader questions (or know who to ask).

Fire, Security and Health & Safety

• To occupy the allocated accommodation (at least 5 nights a week) and be available for 24-hour security and emergency cover where applicable.

• Comply with National Trust standards on Fire, Security, Health & Safety, and lead on ensuring the whole island operation does comply also.

• To be responsible for the correct operation all fire and security and other systems in the castle, liaise with contractors, undertake regular testing and inspections.

• Identify key priorities and areas of risk and incorporate these into a thorough and comprehensive maintenance planning regime to sustain the highest levels of equipment availability and optimal operational effectiveness.

• Make and verify plans of action to be taken in the event of an emergency, to ensure compliance with National Trust standards.

• Ensure legal compliance of all work that is planned and executed.

• Plan, organise and participate in the Duty Officer roster for both Castle and Island, to ensure the island runs efficiently. This includes Weekend, Coordinator, Fire and Duty Manager duties.

• To check the public rooms at the end of the day and lock up and alarm the castle daily.

• Keep records as required.

Job Description continued

Communication

• To maintain radio/pager/telephone contact while on duty.

• To cascade information to the team from management meetings.

• Communicate in a timely and effective manner at all times using a broad range of media.

• Involve and empower the team.

• Engage with the Mount’s social media outlets

Vision and values

• Understand, demonstrate and promote the behaviours that underpin our values.

• Be aware of the role of you and your team in achieving our vision and objectives.

Other

• Be innovative and forward thinking and take responsibility for the implementation of a resilient and comprehensive departmental strategy and budget, rigorously challenging normal ways of working and meticulously reviewing contracts and procurement to deliver efficiencies while creating consistently high service levels.

• Collaborate with other managers and play a lead role in developing the Mount’s management strategies.

• To always look for, develop and implement improvements.

• Be accountable for your own, and your team’s, development through the appraisal process, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills.

• Be an advocate for St Aubyn Estates and the National Trust.

• Any other tasks which are reasonably requested, for the better performance of your duties or for the achievement of our vision.

Person Specification

Section Criteria Essential Desirable Source

Education, vocational training and qualifications

Good general education ✓ AF IV

Knowledge of managing operational risk, incl. how to assess and manage risk effectively ✓ AF IV

Knowledge of Health and Safety, compliance and emergency procedures relevant to historic houses

✓ IV

To hold and maintain a full driving licence ✓ AF IV

Relevant curatorial and conservation experience within a historic house or museum/gallery environment

✓ AF

At least 3 years proven Management and/or Supervisory experience within a heritage management situation

✓ AF IV

Experience At least 5 years’ experience working within a heritage, hospitality or similar environment in a practical role

✓ AF IV

Project Management experience ✓ AF IV

Experience managing budgets ✓ AF IV

Experience of planning resources to deliver against a business plan ✓ AF IV

Experience of delivering through others, both within and outside of a line management capacity

✓ AF IV

Proven experience with setting and achieving high standards ✓ AF IV

Visitor-focused approach ✓ AF IV Ref

Technical skills and abilities

Excellent communicator with a passion to inspire others ✓ AF IV

Use of wide range of machinery and their basic maintenance ✓ AF IV

Have a good level of fitness (the job involves physical work and the castle is at the end of a steep climb)

✓ AF IV

Ability to work at heights (such as scaffold, castle roof, etc) ✓ AF IV

Ability to use Microsoft Office applications to an intermediate level ✓ IV

Evidence sources AF = application form | IV = interview | Test = test | Ref = references

Section Criteria Essential Desirable Source

Interpersonal skills and other characteristics

Honest ✓ IV Ref

Considerate ✓ IV Ref

Responsible ✓ IV Ref

Resourceful ✓ IV Ref

Energetic ✓ IV Ref

Completer – finisher with a can-do attitude ✓ IV Ref

Passionate about historic properties, interpretation and engaging current and new audiences ✓ AP IV Ref

Understand, and be happy with, the restrictions that living (and working) in a castle on a tidal island brings

✓ IV Ref

Motivation and commitment

Ability and willingness to work most Saturdays, when the castle is always shut for visitors ✓ IV Ref

Motivated and committed to become part of our Island community ✓ IV Ref

Person Specification continued

Evidence sources AF = application form | IV = interview | Test = test | Ref = references