Village General Manager

Inspired Villages Group; Chester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - GBP 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retirement community provider is seeking a Village General Manager for Gifford Lea in Chester. This senior role involves overseeing operations, managing diverse teams, and ensuring a vibrant community for residents aged 65+. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and a people-centered approach. Benefits include a competitive salary, annual bonus, and generous leave. The position offers a chance to shape an exceptional living experience in a valued-driven organization.

Benefits

Competitive salary, plus up to 20% annual bonus

33 days annual leave including bank holidays

Holiday buying scheme

Bupa Health Cash Plan

Life Assurance at four times annual salary

5% matched pension scheme

Retail discounts

Wellbeing hub and resources

Cycle to work scheme

Electric car scheme

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience with a people-centred, empathetic approach.
• Extensive experience in a multi-disciplined service environment.
• Confident decision-maker capable of prioritizing in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams overseeing operations and financial controls.
• Create a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community.
• Act as the face of the village for residents, families, and service partners.

Skills

Leadership experience with a people-centred approach

Ability to motivate and hold teams accountable

Strong understanding of Health & Safety and compliance

Excellent communication skills

Resilience and solutions-focused mindset

Education

Qualifications or experience in a related sector

Job description

Inspired Villages is seeking an experienced Village General Manager to lead Gifford Lea Retirement Village, a well‑established and thriving community set in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to manage operations, lead diverse teams, and create an exceptional living experience for residents aged 65+, within a growing and values‑driven organisation.

We are looking for an experienced leader to step into the role of Village General Manager at Gifford Lea, our vibrant retirement village located in Tattenhall, Cheshire. Gifford Lea has been welcoming residents since 2019 and currently has three development phases open. The village consists of 143 properties and offers a range of facilities and services designed to support independence, comfort, and wellbeing, including a restaurant, café, wellness facilities, and beautifully landscaped shared spaces and grounds.

Set in one of Cheshire’s most desirable locations, Gifford Lea combines the charm of the surrounding countryside with modern retirement living. The village is ideally positioned close to stunning gardens, historic stately homes, vibrant local attractions, and some of the UK’s finest shopping destinations, creating a rich and fulfilling lifestyle for residents.

As a customer‑driven business, our Village General Managers are at the heart of everything we do. This is a senior leadership role where you’ll take full responsibility for the performance, culture, and success of a busy and established retirement village, creating a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community where residents, guests, families, and visitors truly feel at home.

As Village General Manager, you’ll lead multi‑disciplinary teams, oversee operations, financial controls, customer experience, and commercial performance, and act as the face of the village for residents, families, and service partners. You’ll balance strategic thinking with hands‑on leadership, ensuring exceptional service, strong engagement, and a community that continues to flourish. You’ll also work closely with the on‑site sales team, supporting future sales prospects, first sales, and re‑sales through a collaborative, partnership‑led approach.

What does the future look like? Inspired Villages continues to invest in building and operating new communities, offering future opportunities to stretch and grow within the business. Our next community, already in construction, is Little Mount Lake near Tunbridge Wells, with more developments planned across the UK.

Recruitment Timeline

We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible, as applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Interviews may be scheduled before the published closing date, and we reserve the right to close the advert early. The role will be advertised for two weeks, with a closing date of Wednesday, 18th February.

• First‑stage interviews: Week commencing 23rd February
• Final‑stage interviews: Week commencing 5th March

Key Requirements

• Proven leadership experience with a people‑centred, empathetic approach
• Extensive experience in a multi‑disciplined service environment with the ability to motivate and hold teams accountable for results
• Qualifications or experience in a related sector
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety, compliance, and risk management
• Confident decision‑maker with the ability to prioritise and adapt in a dynamic environment
• Results‑driven with a track record of delivering objectives and driving performance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Resilient, solutions‑focused, and comfortable with challenging ways of working to improve outcomes

The Benefits

• Competitive salary, plus up to 20% annual bonus
• 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Holiday buying scheme, allowing you to purchase up to one additional week of leave
• Big birthdays off (those ending in a 0)
• Bupa Health Cash Plan, including access to an employee assistance programme
• Life Assurance at four times your annual salary
• 5% matched pension scheme
• Retail discounts across a wide range of outlets
• Wellbeing hub and resources, including discounts on wellbeing initiatives
• Cycle to work scheme and electric car scheme