Full Time

JOB PURPOSE

Based on the island of Canna the Pier Manager role will be to manage the operation and maintenance of Canna Harbour and its environs in line with the Trust’s operational, compliance and statutory obligations and the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code.

CONTEXT
The Isle of Canna is one of a group of islands known as the Small Isles situated 19 miles off the coast of the nearest mainland port of Mallaig, Western Scotland. Canna Harbour is the only port owned and managed within the Trust portfolio and therefore there is a significant responsibility and accountability for the Trust to ensure the harbour is managed safely and efficiently.

Canna Harbour operates all year providing a vital link for the island community with the mainland. There is a regular ferry service provided by Caledonian MacBrayne which operates 6 times per week between March and October and 3 times per week in the winter months. In addition to the ferry service there are increasing numbers of other commercial and leisure vessels utilising the harbour facilities such as cruise ships, private yachts, RIBS and fishing vessels. The latest operational figures recorded show 13 international cruise ships (1063 passengers), 26 sailing boats (613 passengers), 69 small cruise ships (315 passengers) and tour operator RIBS of approximately 5000 passengers. Further marine traffic is evident from high season yacht moorings (up to 30 boats per night) and frequent fishing vessel berths (c. 50). Although commercial activity is a lesser part of the harbour operation it does however support the delivery of vital island life-line commodities such a food, utilities, equipment and island and contractor vehicles.

This role is the key contact for all types of visitors to the island and the local community and is pivotal to the smooth operation of Canna Harbour. The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate flexibility in decision-making in the harbour operation particularly in relation to weather conditions. This role is critical to the Trust both in terms of operational and reputational commitment. The Harbour Master is based at Inverness, with day- to- day harbour master powers devolved to the Canna Pier Manager. In addition to the NTS Operations Manager, the Pier Manager will be supported remotely by the Harbour Master who is experienced in Ports and Harbours Legislation holding several years of experience as Harbour Master in large Ports. The Operations Manager and Harbour Master visit Canna on a regular basis throughout the year.

Brodie Castle Estate:

Brodie Castle is set in a 75 acre “policies” estate of mature trees, avenues and mixed woodlands with a large man-made pond. Moreover, it is the official custodian of Ian Brodies national Daffodil collection, which is considered to be of great horticultural importance. It maintains strong links to the Brodie family, whose ancestral seat this was for its entire history. The estate is well visited by dog walkers and local people and is used as a park throughout daylight hours.

JOB PURPOSE

This job exists in order to ensure that the garden and policies elements of Brodie Castle are managed and maintained as an internationally recognised garden and landscape of outstanding horticultural importance, contributing to the property’s overall conservation and development, and its enjoyment by visitors and supporters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Key Purposes of the job will be met by:
1. Ensuring the conservation and practical maintenance of the garden and policies, whether through delegation to other staff/volunteers, or personal participation – in terms of:
a. Practical horticulture (e.g. including managing trees safely and shrubs, herbaceous and bog plants, half-hardies, annuals and bulbs; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping and path care; plant propagation; plant sales management);
b. Plantsmanship (e.g. the identification, knowledge and understanding of this high caliber plant collection, including recording [using Demeter database], and labelling of individual plants and recognized collections);
c. Research and development (e.g. research into historical precedents and practical contemporary solutions to inform proposed activities and projects; support to the planning, design and implementation of restoration and/or development projects);
d. Interpretation (e.g. through the development and delivery of events such as introductory talks, presentations, guided tours or practical demonstrations and workshops, garden trails, digital media and contribution to guide-books or leaflets). The Head Gardener will take an active role in promoting the garden and property.
2. Manage the property maintenance team to deliver the annual programme of planned preventative and reactive maintenance across the whole site including all buildings:
a. Collaborate with other heads of departments and the regional buildings team to ensure a clear maintenance plan is created and delivered for the whole estate including and prioritizing all legal compliance matters. This process will be overseen by the Operations Manager.
b. Manage the maintenance team to deliver the maintenance plan.
c. Contractor management: Ensure the maintenance team are working with all departments to oversee all onsite contractors and that they are managed as per our policies including health and safety requirements.

3. Ensuring an appropriate management regime of the garden and policies that includes the management of:
a. staff and volunteers (e.g. recruitment, induction, direction, development, performance management) such that they are fully equipped, organised and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards;
b. budgets (e.g. helping set future budgets, phasing, monitoring, pro-active and re-active adjustments to current budgets, managing project finance) such that the gardens’ finances are in line with budget within the context of the wider property and project budgets;
c. health, safety and the environment in line with stated Trust policies and approaches to ensure the health and welfare of all users;
d. machinery and equipment (e.g. ensuring timely and appropriate repairs, purchases and servicing) and its use (e.g. training, risk assessments and HAVS logs);
e. recognition of the Trust’s Environmental Policy with respect to sustainable gardening activities, including energy, water, peat & pesticide-use;
f. daily, weekly, yearly and longer-term management and operational workplans and reporting in the context of the property’s statements of significance, action plans and heritage garden management plan (and contribution to preparing these plans) to ensure that activities are prioritised and planned to optimise the use of resources;
g. customer service and care from garden staff/volunteers, and in the broader sense of facilities and “visiting experience”, to ensure that the properties’ reputation for excellence is maintained and enhanced;
h. administration to enable gardening activities to be undertaken and recorded efficiently;
i. When projects within this department are identified, take the lead on the project management.

4. Participating fully in the property’s wider “management team” including
a. supporting the Operations manager strategically and practically with the operation of the properties, and assuming the role of “duty manager” as required
b. taking an active role in promoting the gardens and properties through digital media, events, workshops, presentations, and talks.
c. Managing turf areas, traffic flow and protecting the estate landscape features during major events including supervision of contractors
d. Snow, ice, and storm management
e. Out of hours and during open hours: Fire and security duties including weekend working on a rota basis or when the need arises

JOB PURPOSE

You will be responsible for the onsite operations of Kellie Castle & Gardens. Delivering performance standards and targets to ensure enjoyment of the property by visitors and members is maximised and key commercial, financial and development objectives are achieved to make the property fully sustainable. You will lead a management team responsible for delivering an overall visitor service strategy, care of the site, including retail, food & beverage and liaise with colleagues responsible for collections care and gardens. Promoting good communication across the site and a joined up service provision.

This is a complex role. With a strong background in operational management, you will be required to juggle staff management, property maintenance and health and safety alongside providing innovative ways for visitors to engage with the site. You will work alongside an experienced team of gardeners and be supported by a Fife collections care team.
There will be occasional requirement to cover the management of nearby Hill of Tarvit Mansion house and Kingarrock Hickory Golf.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
You will lead a team to support the overall experience – currently including visitor experience, events, admissions, catering and retail.

 Staff and volunteers – (recruitment, induction, development, motivation, performance management) such that they are fully equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards and that staffing budgets are adhered to.
 Instil a Health & Safety culture across the property, managing risk and keeping risk assessments reviewed and relevant to reduce risk of incidents and accidents to volunteers, employees and visitors.
 Working with the Operations Manager to input into the budget process and manage costs at the sites.
 Create a culture of ‘exceptional service, every time’. Delivering high standards of delivery and a consistently warm welcome within the visitor experiences at all properties.
 Driving the visitor services experience to achieve its financial targets, maximising income and profitability, using the Trust’s procedures and instructions. You will strive to be efficient and ensure cost effectiveness in all the work you do.
 You will ensure high standards of presentation across the property, you may have delegated tasks within other departments and you will understand and help deliver your overall property business plan.
 Work closely with other VSMs and Head Gardeners in the Fife cluster to develop visitor strategies for all sites.