At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create unforgettable visitor experiences at a world-class garden attraction.
- Company: Join the Eden Project Morecambe, a leader in sustainability and community engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant community focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a unique attraction while connecting people with nature.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, operations, and visitor engagement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Job Title: Head of Site
Department: Operations
Reports to: Project Director/COO
Direct Reports: As the project develops responsibility for Senior Leaders across the Visitor Experience, Facilities, Retail, Food & Beverage, Learning & Engagement, Commercial Events, Marketing and HR.
Role Purpose
The Head of Site is a senior strategic and operational leader responsible for delivering an exceptional, inspirational visitor experience while ensuring the commercial and operational success of a world-class garden attraction. The role combines leadership of complex visitor operations with stewardship of a unique natural and built environment, supporting the organisation’s mission to connect people with nature, sustainability, and learning. Providing strong leadership and representation with the Morecambe and Lancashire community and stakeholders. The postholder will lead multidisciplinary teams, drive commercial growth, ensure operational excellence, and contribute to the long-term vision and development of the attraction as a leading global destination.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership and Vision: Contribute to the long-term strategic vision and master planning of Eden Project Morecambe, aligning with organisational mission, sustainability goals, and audience development strategies. Owning the purpose and business case for Eden Project Morecambe. Translate strategy into operational and commercial plans, ensuring delivery of visitor, financial, and impact objectives. Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy, governance, and transformation initiatives.
- Visitor Experience and Operations: Ensure a world-class, seamless visitor journey across all touchpoints—from pre-visit engagement to on-site experience and post-visit advocacy. Oversee daily operations across horticulture displays, visitor services, retail, food and beverage, events, learning, and interpretation. Champion service excellence standards and continuous improvement to deliver outstanding customer satisfaction and repeat visitation. Ensure facilities, infrastructure, and landscapes are maintained to the highest standards, supporting safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
- Commercial Performance and Growth: Deliver financial performance targets, including revenue growth, cost control, and profitability. Lead commercial strategy across admissions, retail, food and beverage, events, memberships, and partnerships. Identify and develop new revenue streams aligned with mission and visitor experience, including immersive experiences, educational programmes, and corporate partnerships. Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and visitor data to inform pricing, product development, and investment decisions.
- People Leadership and Culture: Lead, inspire, and develop a large multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and high performance. Ensure robust people management practices, including recruitment, performance management, talent development, engagement, and wellbeing. Champion organisational values, sustainability ethos, and inclusive leadership behaviours.
- Stakeholder, Community and Partnership Engagement: Act as an ambassador for the attraction, building relationships with government bodies, funders, academic institutions, industry partners, and local communities. Work closely with marketing, learning, and public engagement teams to broaden audiences and deepen impact. Represent the organisation with media and industry bodies, enhancing reputation and profile nationally and internationally.
- Planning, Capital Projects and Sustainability: Leading the transition from capital project handover to operational opening. Contribute to site master planning, capital development, and infrastructure projects to support growth and innovation. Work with sustainability and estates teams to ensure operations align with environmental and net-zero ambitions. Support fundraising, grants, and corporate partnership initiatives for capital and programme development.
- Governance, Reporting and Risk: Develop and manage annual operating plans, budgets, and performance frameworks. Report on KPIs, financial performance, and operational outcomes to the Executive Team and Board. Ensure compliance with health and safety, environmental, financial, and regulatory requirements. Oversee procurement, contract management, and risk management to ensure value for money and operational resilience.
Values and Behaviours
The Head of Site will embody and promote the Eden Values:
- Connecting people with nature and sustainability
- Curiosity, innovation, and continuous learning
- Inclusivity, kindness, and collaboration
- Accountability, integrity, and commercial responsibility
- Positive, inspirational leadership
Person Specification
Essential Education and Qualifications: Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience. Evidence of continuing professional development in leadership, operations, hospitality, visitor attraction management, business management, or a related discipline.
Knowledge and Skills: Significant knowledge of operating complex visitor-facing environments, hospitality, leisure, cultural or large scale public venues. Strong commercial and financial management skills, including budget management and revenue growth. Excellent strategic planning and operational delivery skills. Strong understanding of visitor experience design and customer service excellence. Knowledge of governance, risk management, health and safety, and regulatory compliance. Ability to analyse visitor and commercial data to inform decision-making.
Decision Making: Ability to make complex strategic and operational decisions with organisational-wide impact in a complex stakeholder environment. Proven ability to balance visitor experience, commercial performance, and operational priorities. Experience managing risk and making sound decisions in fast-paced environments.
Resourcefulness: Proven ability to identify opportunities for operational improvement and commercial growth. Ability to develop innovative solutions to complex operational challenges. Strong problem-solving and project management skills. Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to emerging issues.
People and Asset Management: Extensive experience leading and developing large multidisciplinary teams. Proven track record in performance management, engagement, talent development, and wellbeing initiatives. Experience managing significant operational budgets and resources. Responsibility for maintaining operational assets, facilities, infrastructure, and visitor environments to high standards. Commitment to inclusive leadership and organisational values.
Communication and Visitor Experience: Deep understanding of visitor experience design and customer service excellence. Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills. Demonstrable experience building effective relationships with senior stakeholders, partners, communities, regulators, and funders. Proven ability to lead delivery of exceptional visitor experiences. Experience representing an organisation externally and acting as an ambassador for a brand or destination. Strong presentation and reporting skills.
Operational Environment: Senior leadership experience in a complex visitor attraction, hospitality, leisure, cultural venue, or similar operational environment. Experience managing health and safety, compliance, and operational risk. Ability to work flexibly, including weekends, evenings, and public holidays when required. Comfortable working across office, operational, and visitor-facing environments. Experience delivering operational excellence within high-volume visitor settings. Experience within horticultural, environmental, sustainability-led, heritage, or educational organisations.
Desirable Education and Qualifications: Degree or postgraduate qualification in Business, Hospitality, Tourism, Environmental Management, Leisure Management, or a related field. Professional leadership or management qualification (e.g. ILM, CMI, MBA).
Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of horticultural, environmental, sustainability, heritage, cultural, educational, or leisure sectors. Understanding of destination development, tourism trends, and audience engagement strategies. Experience of fundraising, grant funding, or corporate partnerships.
Decision Making: Ability to influence business planning and organisational strategy. Experience contributing at Board, Executive, or Trustee level decision making. Experience leading organisational change or transformation programmes.
Resourcefulness: Experience developing new revenue streams, visitor products, or commercial initiatives. Experience supporting capital projects, site development, or major opening programmes.
People and Asset Management: Experience leading teams across multiple functions including visitor services, retail, food and beverage, events, learning, facilities, or estates. Experience managing major contracts, procurement activities, or external service providers.
Communication and Visitor Experience: Experience working with media and public relations activities. Experience engaging with local communities, educational institutions, tourism bodies, or government agencies. Passion for nature, sustainability, education, and public engagement.
Operational Environment: Experience within horticultural, environmental, sustainability-led, heritage, or educational organisations. Experience supporting site opening, major capital projects, or transitioning from project delivery to operational management. Understanding of net-zero and sustainability-led operational practices.
Morecambe - Head of Site employer: Eden Project International
Eden Project is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead impactful community programmes in Wales while working flexibly from home. With a passionate and values-driven team, employees are encouraged to grow professionally and make a meaningful difference for people and the planet, all within a supportive environment that prioritises connection and collaboration across diverse communities.
Contact Details:
Eden Project International Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Morecambe - Head of Site
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Eden Project International. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Eden Project International
Don't be shy about reaching out to Eden Project International directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Morecambe - Head of Site
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Eden Project International and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eden Project International
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
