Hostel Manager

The Art Hostel is a unique experience in the centre of Leeds, created by artists to support exploring the city and the culture it has to offer. We are looking for a talented manager to support the hostel in its next chapter.

Are you at a crossroads in your hotel career? Are you looking to get your teeth into something different but also meaningful?

The Art Hostel is a unique and much-loved hospitality experience in Leeds City Centre. Created by artists and with a clear purpose to support travelling artists, we are looking for a talented manager to support us with our plans to take the property to the next level.

The Art Hostel is part of the charity East Street Arts, and our profits are reinvested into the arts community in a direct and meaningful way. Your passion and expertise will help us to transform our hostel. Your commercial skills and attention to detail in the operation will make a difference as we look ahead to the next few years.

If youre looking for a supportive, exciting, one-of-a-kind career change then look no further.

As a Hostel Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the hostels operation. This is an excellent opportunity for the right person to work in a supportive team, alongside a thriving arts charity.

About The Art Hostel

The Art Hostel, at St Marys Lane, provides a mixture of private and dorm accommodations for up to 60 guests. Each room is unique and designed by artists to provide a one-of-a-kind experience to those staying. The Art Hostel is the first social enterprise in the UK to provide affordable accommodation created by artists.

We opened our initial temporary pilot hostel on Kirkgate in Leeds city centre back in 2016. This hostel was extremely successful, hosting more than 10,000 guests from more than 115 countries in two and a half years. The Kirkgate hostel closed its doors at the end of 2018 and we have since developed a brand new, larger-scale permanent Art Hostel in Mabgate, Leeds.

Part of East Street Arts creative Mabgate complex, the Art Hostel is situated next door to East Street Arts HQ, Patrick Studios and art and tech hub, Convention House. Designed and created by a raft of artistic talent, its a fantastic spot for unique, affordable accommodation in Leeds.

What we would like to see in your application:

• Confident, natural leadership skills, and a desire to motivate and train colleagues.

• A great track record in delivering high standards in Rooms management, especially Housekeeping services.

• Adaptable, and thinks strategically about improving standards and the business.

• A quick thinker and a good decision-maker.

• A positive attitude.

• A people person with the ability to show respect, empathy, and care to all team members.

• Excellent attention to detail and an ability to influence people.

• Experience preferred in delivering improved cost control.

• Front of House experience desirable.

• Experience working with volunteers is a bonus!

  What we will ask of you:

• Work closely with the Executive Director to achieve the business priorities.

• Take responsibility for the running of the hostel operations, maintain exceptional levels of customer service, and take personal pride in delivering an excellent guest experience and improved room rate.

• Managing the volunteer team to ensure that cleaning is carried out to a high standard, and developing systems and guidance for all employees.

• Support the supervisors to ensure that they can deliver in their roles, and learn and develop.

• Ensure that organisational policies are enacted in a sensible and disciplined way.

• Ensure that the hostel is compliant with relevant H&S policies and procedures.

• Be a leader and role model for the supervisors & volunteer team always supporting and being an ambassador for the mission and vision.

• Take direct interest in the future stars, ensuring their development plans are clear and followed through.

• Use P&L and work with the Executive Director to pinpoint areas of improvement for cost control.

• Take charge of projects as required.

What you can expect from us:

• £30,000 – £34,000 based on experience.

• A warm welcome and supportive colleagues. A culture of friendliness and a passion for creating unique experiences.

• Determination to understand peoples strengths, and deploy them in the best possible way.

• An opportunity to work alongside a thriving charity, and gain exposure to how the third sector operates.

• An emphasis on change management and innovation.

Reports to: Executive Director, Anita Kumari | Artistic Director, Jon Wakeman

Salary: £30,000 – £34,000

Hours: Full-time, but with the likelihood of working weekends and evenings when required.

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum + annual leave

Responsible for: The Art Hostel

Including: Two shift supervisors, and a number of live-in volunteers.

How to Apply

Submitting an Application

Please send a CV and cover letter (no more than two pages of A4)

The cover letter should address the applicants specifications highlighting how your skills and experience are relevant to the role.

The deadline for the applications is 12pm Monday 24 March. If the right candidate is found the opportunity may close early – therefore early applications are encouraged.

The Equal Opportunities section of the application form is for evaluation purposes only, and once received will be separated from your application and will not be used in our assessment.

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