Castle Steward, St Michael’s Mount Recruitment Pack May 2019 About the Company
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 St Michael’s Mount & Island Life
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 the Role
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 You
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. Our Vision and Values
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 [email protected] 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 Job Description
Principal purpose of role Castle Duties – Working with the Family: 1. Responsibility for the operational management of the castle; • To assist the Family in the castle as necessary daily (for example with luggage, fires and rubbish). 2. To assist the family in both the private and public areas of the castle; • To oversee the operation of the tram and run it when required. 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, • To greet and accompany contractors and guests to the castle (for example caterers). enhanced and developed to the highest standards. • To help organise functions and assist in the smooth running of functions. 4. To be responsible for the safety and security of the castle and its contents. • To undertake some heavy cleaning duties, furniture moving and picture hanging. • To be available when required to assist in any further way. Area of responsibility/tasks Operational Management of the castle Castle Conservation and Interpretation • To use and further develop the castle’s and island’s Building Management Systems. • 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 • Working closely with Cornish Heritage Builders (CHB) contribute to the castle’s cleaning and conservation. maintenance schedule and keep records of all inspections, repairs, service agreements etc. as laid out in the SMM Maintenance Handbook. • Initiate, implement, document and meticulously manage strategies appropriate to the Mount to meet collections management, conservation, presentation and access • To work closely with CHB to supervise and assist contractors when required. standards, ensuring we comply with NT guidelines (e.g. the Housekeeping Manual). • Ensure the castle’s infrastructure is safe and fit for purpose. • Maintain all information management systems relating to the historic property to • To dynamically oversee all castle related planning activities, working closely ensure an up to date record of the house and contents. with the National Trust appointed consultants and CHB. • Develop and maintain links with other National Trust properties, as well as • To have a hands-on approach to reactive repairs, incl. check for leaks, academic and heritage organisations and other stakeholders. light bulbs etc. • To plan, test and maintain the salvage procedures and be responsible for • To ensure the cleanliness of the castle public lavatories and collection of castle maintenance and replenishment of equipment. rubbish during the day. • 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 • Provide a world class service to all our external and internal customers. visits and specialist instructions. • Be smart, polite and helpful at all times. • To work with and establish a mutually agreed pattern of liaison with the • Be aware of all the activities offered on the Mount and be able to answer National Trust conservator and curator, and Lord St Levan. broader questions (or know who to ask). • 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 Fire, Security and Health & Safety interpretation of the castle and its contents. • To occupy the allocated accommodation (at least 5 nights a week) and be • To assist Lord St Levan and the NT Curator undertake research to improve available for 24-hour security and emergency cover where applicable. knowledge and interpretation of the property in its wider context. • Comply with National Trust standards on Fire, Security, Health & Safety, and lead on ensuring the whole island operation does comply also.
Finance • 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. • Contribute to set, as well as manage operating and delegated (project) budgets, and to ensure effective use of resources. • Identify key priorities and areas of risk and incorporate these into a thorough and comprehensive maintenance planning regime to sustain the highest levels • Strive for sustainability and efficiency. of equipment availability and optimal operational effectiveness. • Make and verify plans of action to be taken in the event of an emergency, Customer Service to ensure compliance with National Trust standards. • Work closely with colleagues to ensure the continued positive connection • Ensure legal compliance of all work that is planned and executed. with visitors and their safe access. • Plan, organise and participate in the Duty Officer roster for both Castle • Plan and implement work with visitor access and interest in mind. and Island, to ensure the island runs efficiently. This includes Weekend, Coordinator, Fire and Duty Manager duties. • Plan the development of the department to improve the quality of the visitor experience and engagement opportunities whilst maintaining high • To check the public rooms at the end of the day and lock up and conservation standards. alarm the castle daily. • Keep records as required. Job Description continued
Communication Other • To maintain radio/pager/telephone contact while on duty. • Be innovative and forward thinking and take responsibility for the implementation of a resilient and comprehensive departmental strategy and budget, rigorously • To cascade information to the team from management meetings. challenging normal ways of working and meticulously reviewing contracts and • Communicate in a timely and effective manner at all times using a procurement to deliver efficiencies while creating consistently high service levels. broad range of media. • Collaborate with other managers and play a lead role in developing the Mount’s • Involve and empower the team. management strategies. • Engage with the Mount’s social media outlets • To always look for, develop and implement improvements. • Be accountable for your own, and your team’s, development through the appraisal Vision and values process, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills. • Understand, demonstrate and promote the behaviours that underpin our values. • Be an advocate for St Aubyn Estates and the National Trust. • Be aware of the role of you and your team in achieving our vision and objectives. • Any other tasks which are reasonably requested, for the better performance of your duties or for the achievement of our vision. Person Specification
Evidence sources AF = application form | IV = interview | Test = test | Ref = references
Section Criteria Essential Desirable Source Education, vocational Good general education ✓ AF IV training and Knowledge of managing operational risk, incl. how to assess and manage risk effectively ✓ AF IV qualifications Knowledge of Health and Safety, compliance and ✓ IV emergency procedures relevant to historic houses To hold and maintain a full driving licence ✓ AF IV Relevant curatorial and conservation experience within ✓ AF a historic house or museum/gallery environment At least 3 years proven Management and/or Supervisory experience ✓ AF IV within a heritage management situation Experience At least 5 years’ experience working within a heritage, hospitality ✓ AF IV or similar environment in a practical role 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 ✓ AF IV of a line management capacity Proven experience with setting and achieving high standards ✓ AF IV Visitor-focused approach ✓ AF IV Ref Technical skills and Excellent communicator with a passion to inspire others ✓ AF IV abilities Use of wide range of machinery and their basic maintenance ✓ AF IV Have a good level of fitness (the job involves physical work ✓ AF IV and the castle is at the end of a steep climb) Ability to work at heights (such as scaffold, castle roof, etc) ✓ AF IV Ability to use Microsoft Office applications to an intermediate level ✓ IV Person Specification continued
Evidence sources AF = application form | IV = interview | Test = test | Ref = references
Section Criteria Essential Desirable Source Interpersonal skills and Honest ✓ IV Ref other characteristics 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 ✓ IV Ref tidal island brings Motivation and Ability and willingness to work most Saturdays, when the castle is always shut for visitors ✓ IV Ref commitment Motivated and committed to become part of our Island community ✓ IV Ref