Property Operations Manager

National Trust Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent conservation charity in the UK is looking for a Property Operations Manager to oversee daily operations at Chirk Castle. The successful candidate will lead a diverse team, collaborate with programming and community participation, and ensure the delivery of exceptional visitor experiences. Strong operational management skills and experience in customer-facing environments are essential. The role offers a substantial pension, flexible working, and various employee perks.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym memberships and shopping discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Experience leading and managing teams.
• Skilled in risk management and operational efficiency.
• Proven experience in successful visitor experience project management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations at Chirk Castle.
• Lead and support a diverse team.
• Collaborate with programming, curation, and community participation teams.

Skills

strong operational management skills

proven record of leading high-performing teams

confidence in assessing operational risk

experience in customer-facing environments

excellent influencing and negotiating skills

Job description

In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from National Trust employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

If you’re looking for a new experience, and you’re used to leading varied teams, achieving high standards and running smooth operations, you could make a real difference by working for Europe’s largest conservation charity. Based at Chirk Castle and part of the NE Wales Portfolio (Chirk Castle and Erddig House & Gardens), we’re looking for a Property Operations Manager to be responsible for daily operations, working closely with both internal staff and external stakeholders to introduce improvements that help each site to thrive for visitors, local community members and nature alike.

The Welsh translation of this advert is available in attachments.

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll be joining a dynamic leadership team committed to bringing Chirk Castle and Erddig to life, for the benefit of all. You will be primarily based at Chirk, deputising for and supporting the General Manager. Managing and leading by example, you will be focussed on building effective ways of working and operating across Chirk and a positive can-do culture. Together with the GM you will help lead the team and work collaboratively both internally and externally to re-imagine the future of Chirk Castle. This is a thriving and fast-paced place to work where you’ll be managing a large and varied team of passionate and committed staff who are based at Chirk and also working closely with colleagues at Erddig, all towards one common goal. This will include cross portfolio project management and being a key part of experience design for both properties alongside the VE and Curation team.

What you'll be doing

You’ll work collaboratively with your colleagues particularly those in programming and curation, facilities and community participation to ensure the smooth running of each site. Together, you’ll be making sure that we strike the right balance between welcoming visitors, delivering exciting experiences that encourage new visitors to Chirk and all our visitors to visit us again.

You’ll help your team with their priorities and the confidence to achieve their goals, providing them with the care, resources and direction they need to succeed. In your position in the leadership team, you’ll be involved in the strategic direction of the whole portfolio. From time to time, you will stand in for the General Manager to run the place or attend external partner meetings in their absence. And you’ll be expected to work some weekends and evenings, as required.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• strong operational management skills
• a proven record of leading high-performing teams through coaching, team building and performance management
• confidence in assessing and managing operational risk
• experience in customer-facing environments, meeting financial and performance targets, especially in visitor experience
• excellent influencing and negotiating skills, with diplomacy and advocacy
• Criteria for all other applicants

Additional criteria for other applicants:

• practised and confident in managing fast-paced operations
• an inspiring leader and manager of people, adept at leading diverse professional teams
• a skilled collaborator and communicator, comfortable with taking decisions
• aware of the importance of excellent service, growing support for an important cause and high standards of presentation
• up to date with health and safety, compliance and emergency procedures
• familiar with business planning, growing income and managing budgets
• committed to making sure experiences are truly for everyone, with practical knowledge of improving accessibility in a workplace or visitor attraction
• proven experience of successful visitor experience project management or event delivery

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

National Trust place

Chirk Castle, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5AF

Additional information

Closing Date: 01 February 2026

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail]

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail] and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.