Job Title: Centre Manager – Margaret McMillan House, Wrotham, Kent Reports to: Director of Operations Direct reports: All “Heads” of Depts at Centre – including Programme Manager, Catering/Housekeeping Supervisor, Maintenance Supervisor Hours: 35 hours per week Salary: C £30,000 - £40,000 – depending on experience Contract: Full time, Permanent Contract Location: Based at Wide Horizons Margaret McMillan House Centre, however occasional travel to other places of Wide Horizons operation is expected. Job Purpose: To manage the Centre on a day to day basis and, as a strong people manager and effective communicator, provide clear direction and motivation to the centre team, set and achieve objectives and KPI’s and develop and grow the centre with support and direction from the Senior Leadership Team. Role Summary: The primary functions are to manage the centre and its staff on a day to day basis and develop and grow the centre. In addition to: Demonstrating the values of Wide Horizons in practice and acting as a role model to colleagues.

Contributing to the strategy and business plans of the organisation and representing the centre and organisation to customers, stakeholders and external contractors/suppliers.

Playing a role in Wide Horizons’ drive to become the leading provider of Adventure Learning through overseeing the delivery methods of the staff team and ensuring that delivery is at the cutting edge of Adventure Learning.

Overseeing the safe operation of the Centre, reviewing and signing off all procedures and ensuring compliance with appropriate activity licensing obligations, working closely with the Adventure Operations Manager and Director of Operations.

Line manage and provide support to the team of Heads of Departments, including recruitment, training and development, ensuring staff hold the appropriate qualifications and are up to date with industry practices.

Core Responsibilities:

Management

Effectively manage the Centre staff in accordance with Wide Horizons policies; including the performance management, appraisal and recommendation for Continual Professional Development (CPD) for all direct reports.

Develop with the Director of Operations, and then manage on a day-to-day basis, a budget for the Centre. Supervise, and manage, the centre budgets and processes, ensuring forecasts are met or exceeded.

Ensure that the staff team are involved in organisation wide projects and are fully committed

to our organisational values.

Maintain a flexible approach to the staffing needs of the whole organisation in exchanging staff

with other centres as required and to take an active part in the recruitment and placement of

all centre staff.

Be the point of contact and “person in charge” for all communications – internal and external.

Monitor and react appropriately to all incidents and guest feedback.

Manage all Time Off in Lieu (TOIL), holiday and working hours for all direct reports and ensure

that they are managing this for their respective teams.

Report to the Director of Operations any Health and Safety issues identified that have not been resolved. Growth and development As part of the business planning process, to provide annual input into the Centre specific development plan that coordinates the development of the centre services with financial planning, marketing and fundraising. Take a proactive approach to the development of the centre and the programmes it delivers.

Actively engage with the local community including schools, youth organisations, potential

customers and funders both to generate income and establish the centre as a valued part of

the community.

Recruit and utilise local volunteers for the benefit of the centre. Respond to opportunities to involve the centre in local initiatives. Safety Ensure that appropriate health and safety requirements are adhered to for any Centre operation undertaken by you, subordinates or contractors, and that all relevant risks are carefully assessed, reported, managed and mitigated. Ensure all delivery is visibly compliant with existing and new health and safety standards.

Take responsibility with the Programme Manager to ensure that all internal and external

requirements are met for activities and activity equipment and that all inspections are passed,

working closely with the Adventure Operations Manager.

Act immediately to stop, or make safe, any activity presenting an unacceptable level of risk.

Carry out operational audits and where health and safety standards can be improved offer

corrective support, training and development.

Ensure that emergency and call out procedures are in place for the centre and visiting groups are aware of these.

Stakeholder Relationships

Demonstrate commitment to service user involvement and engagement, seeking opportunities for feedback.

Prove advice and guidance to colleagues, direct reports and external clients where appropriate, depending on your level of technical qualifications and experience.

Support the fundraising and marketing team in providing timely and accurate information for current and potential funders, and new business / marketing activity.

Represent Wide Horizons at meetings with a range of external stakeholders. General Be committed to the values of the organisation and a public advocate of the right of every child to enjoy outdoor learning experiences as part of their education. Be flexible in approach to work including weekend and evening working as well as the possibility of working at other Wide Horizons Centres as per the demands of the charity.

Promote Wide Horizons equal opportunities policies in a manner compatible with the duties of the post. Undertake such other duties as required and that are commensurate with the level and responsibility of the post. Person Specification

Experience Essential;

▪ Senior teaching or senior operational experience in a school or outdoor learning centre

▪ Working with a range of internal and external stakeholders with strong networking skills

▪ Degree level qualification in Outdoor and Environmental Education ▪ Experience of customer focused service delivery ▪ Business development experience ▪ Strong communication skills both written and orally ▪ Working on your own initiative as well as part of a team ▪ Managing, supervising and leading a staff team including

addressing under performance ▪ Applying risk assessment and health and safety procedures in an

adventurous or outdoor education context ▪ Managing budgets and understanding internal and external

pressures upon them

▪ Leading teams in a supportive, enthusiastic and pro-active manner

Desirable;

▪ Qualified Teacher Status, or equivalent ▪ Working with both the statutory and voluntary youth sectors

Knowledge and

Understanding

Essential;

• Good working knowledge of a range of Leadership, Management and

Teamworking approaches

• Understanding the impact and learning benefits that Outdoor Education and Adventure provides for children and young people

• Practical application of equality and diversity in the workplace ▪ Understanding of how quality education programmes are delivered

and measured ▪ The budgeting process, delivering budgets, forecasts and variance

processes

Desirable;

▪ Good knowledge of the National Curriculum for England & Wales particularly of the Primary Curriculum & EYFS and subject knowledge of Geography and Science

▪ A working knowledge of Outdoor learning programmes such as The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, ‘Forest School’ and the ‘Learning outside the Classroom’ initiatives

▪ Monitoring and evaluation techniques specifically related to the provision of outdoor education to children and young people

Key Competencies Essential;

▪ Effective leadership and people management ▪ Acting as a champion for Wide Horizons commitment to providing

adventure to children and young people ▪ Analysis, judgement and problem solving ▪ Ability to communicate effectively to a diverse range of audiences –

written and oral ▪ Demonstrable time management and prioritisation skills ▪ To embrace and demonstrate Wide Horizons core values:

o Adventurous o Environmentally Conscious o Honest and Open o Innovative o Mission Focussed o Collaborative

Personal Qualities ▪ Integrity ▪ Confident self-starter able to work under pressure ▪ Value creativity and innovation ▪ A clear commitment to adventure, training and skill development in

outdoor learning

▪ Passion to deliver the highest standards of service

▪ Ability to motivate and inspire people

▪ Ability to communicate at a strategic level

▪ Adaptable and flexible approach to working hours, including evening and weekend work

▪ Planning, organising

Other ▪ Due to the nature of Wide Horizons work with children and young

people an enhanced DBS check is applicable to this role

▪ Driving Licence with D1 (Essential)

▪ All employees are required to act in accordance with their

responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act.

▪ As part of your duties, you will be required to obtain, process, and

use information held on a computer. You may not use or disclose

data for any other purpose than that for which it was recorded. You

must only disclose data to authorised persons or organisations as

instructed

▪ First Aid (Essential)

This job description and person specification may be subject to review from time to time in

consultation with the post holder.