At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support funeral services with empathy and professionalism.
- Company: Selim Smith Funeral Directors, a trusted name in the community.
- Benefits: Up to £35,000 salary, bonus potential, 30-33 days holiday, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to high standards and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by guiding families during important moments.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership and service environments; funeral sector experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 € per year.
Location: Selim Smith Funeral Directors, Covering Cheltenham and Gloucester
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum
Full Time | Includes on-call rota
We are looking for a compassionate, capable and commercially aware Funeral Branch Manager to lead our branches in Cheltenham and Gloucester. This is a leadership role for someone who combines empathy with operational strength. You’ll guide families through some of the most important moments of their lives while leading your team to deliver consistently high standards, regulatory excellence and sustainable branch performance.
Why This Role Matters
Every branch is built on trust — trust from families, colleagues and the wider community. As Funeral Branch Manager, you are the standard-setter. Around 70% of your time will be spent delivering and overseeing funeral services. The remaining time will focus on leading people, maintaining operational control, managing compliance and ensuring the branch performs both commercially and professionally.
You will be responsible for:
- Leading and developing your team
- Maintaining high service and care standards
- Ensuring regulatory compliance and audit readiness
- Supporting at-need performance and funeral plan conversations
- Building a strong, visible local presence
Your Impact
Lead and Support Funeral Services
- Deliver complex funeral arrangements with professionalism and empathy
- Guide families clearly through options and next steps
- Run pre-funeral briefings and oversee service delivery
- Observe arrangements and funerals to uphold care standards
Manage and Develop the Team
- Lead recruitment, onboarding and ongoing 1:1 performance conversations
- Manage rotas, holiday and sickness cover
- Ensure regulatory training and compliance standards are met
- Embed accountability, professionalism and ownership
- Support succession planning and development
Drive Operational Excellence
- Oversee branch standards and high-quality care of the deceased
- Maintain accurate records and legal documentation
- Ensure inspection readiness and regulatory compliance
- Monitor costs including overtime and hire cars
- Identify service improvements and implement change
Build Local Presence
- Lead local marketing activity
- Develop relationships with care homes, celebrants and community groups
- Represent the branch at memorials and events
- Promote services in a supportive, consultative way
What We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from candidates with:
- Experience leading and developing teams in service-led environments
- A strong track record of maintaining standards and compliance
- Confidence operating within regulated or policy-driven environments
- Commercial awareness and comfort working with targets and cost control
- Strong organisational and documentation skills
- Calm decision-making in emotionally sensitive situations
- A full UK driving licence
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and on-call
Funeral sector experience is desirable but not essential. We are open to candidates from other regulated, service-focused industries where high standards, community engagement and people leadership are central.
What We Offer
- Comprehensive induction and structured development
- Opportunity to complete professional qualifications via our apprenticeship programme
- Bonus potential
- Life assurance cover
- Employee Assistance Programme
- 30–33 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
- Contributory pension scheme
- Relocation package considered
If you are ready to lead with empathy, set clear standards and build a branch that families trust, we would love to hear from you.
FCA Statement
The FCA regulates us so that some roles may be subject to background checks.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We know that diverse teams make better decisions, build better products, and create a more inclusive and better place to work. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your life looks like, we’d love to hear from you. And if there’s anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know.
Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate, and no fees will be payable. We reserve the right, depending on the number of applications received, to close or extend the closing dates for positions. Therefore, we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
Funeral Branch Manager in Cheltenham employer: Dignity
At Selim Smith Funeral Directors, we pride ourselves on being an employer that values compassion and professionalism in equal measure. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering comprehensive training and development opportunities, including professional qualifications through our apprenticeship programme. With a focus on community engagement and a commitment to high standards, we provide a rewarding environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of families during their most challenging times.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Funeral Branch Manager in Cheltenham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Selim Smith Funeral Directors, their values, and how they operate. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in leading with care and purpose.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to the funeral industry. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tough questions! As a Funeral Branch Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your empathy and operational strength. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've led teams through sensitive situations or maintained high standards under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Funeral Branch Manager in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassion:In your application, let your empathy shine through. This role is all about guiding families during tough times, so share any relevant experiences that highlight your compassionate nature.
Highlight Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've led teams in the past. Talk about your experience in managing people, maintaining high standards, and ensuring compliance. Make it clear that you can lead with purpose!
Be Organised and Detailed:Since this role involves a lot of documentation and regulatory compliance, make sure your application is well-structured and free of errors. Show us that you pay attention to detail and can keep things in order.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this important role. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dignity
✨Understand the Role Deeply
Before your interview, take the time to really understand what being a Funeral Branch Manager entails. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities listed in the job description, especially around leading teams and maintaining high standards. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
In this role, empathy is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated compassion and understanding, especially in sensitive situations. This will show that you can handle the emotional aspects of the job while still maintaining professionalism.
✨Prepare for Operational Questions
Expect questions about operational excellence and compliance. Brush up on your knowledge of regulatory standards and be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with managing costs and improving service delivery.
✨Engage with Local Community Insights
Since building a local presence is crucial, think about how you can contribute to community engagement. Be prepared to discuss ideas for local marketing activities or partnerships with care homes and community groups. This shows you're proactive and understand the importance of trust within the community.
