At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and marketing strategies to boost occupancy and revenue for a unique rural venue.
- Company: Join a charity-driven organisation transforming a beautiful 15-acre site into a thriving sanctuary.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for commercial autonomy and creative freedom in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to create memorable experiences while developing your career in hospitality.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality or charity sectors, with strong skills in digital marketing and sales.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Location: Kington, Herefordshire (On-site, with flexible/hybrid working)
Salary: £30,000- £35,000 per annum
Reporting to: Operations Director and Commercial Director
Governance: Monthly reporting to the Board of Directors
The Mission
To transform a 15 acre rural site with an indoor pool into a thriving, financially sustainable sanctuary. This role is central to delivering the commercial engine that makes the mission possible.
The Role Purpose
To deliver the 2026/27 Strategic Marketing Plan, with a clear focus on securing high-occupancy, whole-site bookings. The role exists to achieve 29.4% annual occupancy, equivalent to 10,353 guest nights, primarily through profitable, multi-day group bookings across defined market segments.
Key Responsibilities
- Revenue Generation and Lead Conversion
- Full House Equivalent (FHE) tracking: Manage the Breakeven Basket and deliver 103 full-site days per year
- Segmented value propositions: Lead and refine messaging for four core markets: Faith Schools, Private Hire, Wellness
- Midweek profit growth: Target corporate retreats and Work from Hotel style bookings to maximise midweek utilisation
- Digital and Channel Management
- OTA performance management: Oversee Airbnb and Booking.com listings for The Stables, balancing commission risk against yield
- Direct booking conversion: Design and implement return-stay incentives to reduce reliance on third-party platforms
- Content and storytelling: Champion high-quality visual content (photo, video, social) to differentiate the venue from institutional competitors
- Commercial Analysis and Yield
- TRevPAG growth: Drive an increase of £2+ per guest through secondary revenue streams, including tuck shop, pool hire, and additional meals
- Yield management support: Work with the Operations Director to apply Minimum Facility Fees and dynamic pricing during peak demand periods
- Relationship and Community Management
- Church and mission-led partnerships: Protect near-cost stays where appropriate while identifying whole-site commercial opportunities to cross-subsidise them
- Under-capacity risk reduction: Actively minimise bookings below 70% occupancy in The Stables to prevent net losses
- Duty Manager Responsibilities
- Participate in the senior Duty Manager rota, providing out-of-hours leadership for residential groups
- Act as the primary on-call contact, including: Guest check-ins, Site security, Emergency response (fire and pool safety), Maintaining a warm, home from home hospitality experience
Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Primary KPI: Achievement of 103 Full House Equivalent (FHE) days
- Secondary KPI: 15% conversion of OTA guests to direct bookers
- Tertiary KPI: Average TRevPAG uplift of £2.00+ per guest
The Ideal Candidate
Experience
- Experience within UK group residential, hospitality, or charity trading environments (highly desirable)
- Proven management of Online Travel Agencies such as Airbnb and Booking.com
- Demonstrated success converting third-party bookings into direct relationships
- B2B and group sales experience, ideally across: Primary and junior schools, Church or faith-based organisations, Retreat leaders and wellness facilitators
- Experience operating within high fixed-cost or daily burn financial models
Skills and Capabilities
- Yield and pricing strategy, including dynamic pricing and midweek offers
- Strong analytical ability, confident working with metrics such as FHE and TRevPAG
- Content marketing and visual storytelling (video, photography, social media)
- SEO and digital strategy, including niche and regional search terms
- CRM thinking and lead nurture processes for cyclical and repeat bookings
Benefits and What Makes This Role Different
- A genuine strategic mandate: This is not a social media posting role. You will deliver Phase 3 of a defined commercial roadmap.
- A unique asset base: 15 acres of countryside plus a highly sought-after indoor pool
- Commercial autonomy: Ownership of the TRevPAG agenda, with freedom to create new revenue streams
- Flexible working: While site presence is essential for storytelling and relationships, the role supports modern hybrid working.
Dunfield House is operated by Dunfield House Ltd, governed by The Dunfield Charity, and owned by Community of Christ.
Sales and Marketing Manager employer: Dunfield House
Contact Detail:
Dunfield House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales and Marketing Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website that highlights your achievements in sales and marketing. Include case studies, testimonials, and any cool projects you've worked on. This will give you an edge when you’re chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company thoroughly, understand their mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practice common interview questions and come armed with examples of how you’ve driven revenue and managed relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it shows initiative and enthusiasm, which are always attractive traits to employers.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales and Marketing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in hospitality and group bookings. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to achieve high occupancy rates!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve driven revenue or improved occupancy in previous roles. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your success, even better!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can connect with our community and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Show us what makes you unique!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dunfield House
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key metrics like Full House Equivalent (FHE) and TRevPAG. Being able to discuss how you can drive these numbers will show that you understand the commercial side of the role and are ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used content marketing and visual storytelling in past roles. Whether it's through social media or other channels, demonstrating your ability to create engaging narratives will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Market Segments
Familiarise yourself with the four core markets mentioned in the job description: Faith Schools, Private Hire, Wellness, and Midweek profit growth. Be ready to discuss tailored strategies for each segment and how you can secure high-occupancy bookings.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Management
Think of examples where you've successfully built partnerships or managed community relationships. Highlighting your experience in this area will show that you can effectively engage with stakeholders and enhance the venue's reputation.