The Ammerdown Conference & Retreat Centre

Lead Manager Role Description Purpose To lead the staff and operation of the Ammerdown Centre, building on its heritage and identifying the next steps in its journey; to manage its operations and the staff team. Role Description: The Lead Manager will be responsible to the Trustees for: - Maintaining and growing Ammerdown as a centre of refreshment, hospitality, peace and reconciliation where diversity and different identities are cherished. Engaging with guests in order to create a safe and positive environment. - Working with the Trustees in developing the Ammerdown Centre, and community and in particular to refresh the strategy and business plan mindful of its spiritual heart as well as commercial potential. - Further developing the Ammerdown Centre and community to provide opportunities for learning in a safe and inclusive environment where people of differing views and faiths can engage in dialogue and creativity. - Creating opportunities to take forward the vision of the Ammerdown Centre and community through creating partnership and networking opportunities. - Ensuring robust and effective management and performance of the organisation (staff, finance, committees etc.) Enabling a flexible and adaptive response to the changing business environment. - Living and developing the ethos of the Ammerdown Centre and community both within the Centre and in external relationships. - Main responsibilities Spiritual and Leadership - To produce an innovative Ammerdown programme of courses and events, offering opportunities for learning and refreshment. - To progress the Ammerdown Social Justice and Care for Creation programmes,taking into account the needs of the local community and wider faith communities.Where appropriate, to lead such programmes. - To be the on-site and public face of Ammerdown and actively promote it nationally and internationally. - To develop our network of supporters by producing quarterly newsletters, refreshing the 'Friends of Ammerdown' scheme, and developing other fundraising activities. - To resource the spiritual life of the Ammerdown Centre and community by ensuring a pattern of worship which embraces the needs and contributions of those who work and visit there, and which is accessible physically and potentially online. - In line with the vision of the Ammerdown Centre and community and its Christian foundation, to develop Ammerdown further as a resource for churches and faith groups, and individuals of any faith or none, leveraging the location and reputation for hospitality. - To maintain and build relationships with key stakeholders locally, regionally, and internationally. E.g. local faith leaders, Ammerdown House, local charities and more widely within the Community of the Cross of Nails and other retreat centres. Management - To lead and inspire all who work or volunteer at Ammerdown to deliver high standards of hospitality and service to all visitors and guests. - To provide appropriate working conditions for all engaged with Ammerdown and in particular to take responsibility for oversight, implementation and management of safeguarding policies and procedures,and in Health and Safety, which will be implemented by the Compliance Manager. - To develop the organisation and its people in line with available financial resources, operational and learning needs and mindful of staff and volunteer wellbeing. - To ensure the financial sustainability of the Ammerdown Centre and community, and in particular to optimise the balance between activities within Ammerdown’s charitable objectives and supporting activities providing commercial income. - To ensure that the Centre operates within relevant legal and governance frameworks. - Report to the Trustees to respond constructively to challenges as they emerge. - To oversee the bookshop. Person Specification A person with distinctive gifts of insight, creativity and leadership who will enable Ammerdown to continue to articulate its core values in ways that are financially and practically sustainable. A resilient individual, comfortable in both a rural setting and a busy working environment. The Trustees are seeking a person who: Spiritual Life Whose spirituality is ecumenical and embraces the inclusive ethos of Ammerdown and the community. Leadership - Has the ability to inspire, equip, relate, and lead a team of people in offering hospitality to all guests. - Has excellent interpersonal skills, and is attuned to work constructively, ecumenically and with those of other faiths and no faith. - Has the ability to identify and develop untapped potential. - Has a proven track record of creating community. Management - Experience of managing and developing a team with mixed skills and experience, comprised of employed people and volunteers. - Experience of management in a small to medium-sized organisation. - Experience in creating and implementing a business plan. Experience of managing financial planning and budgeting. Professional - Excellent presentational and IT skills. - Experience of developing and delivering spiritual retreats, workshops, training, conferences and/or other events and activities that accord with the values of Ammerdown. - Able to demonstrate a deep interest or experience in peace, justice and reconciliation in the contemporary world. - The successful candidate must be prepared to share in rostered overnight on-call responsibilities. Given the location of Ammerdown they will need access to a vehicle and a valid driving licence. How to Apply Please send your CV and cover letter, which addresses the job specification, to our Chair of Trustees by the 4th March 2025. All applicants will be asked to complete a diversity monitoring form upon receipt of the application. Applicants should have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. We envisage this post to be four days a week including occasional evenings and weekends. Flexible working hours can be arranged. Accommodation may be available. Remuneration can be negotiated depending on experience. This role description will be annually reviewed by the Trustees and the post holder.