At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a world-class visitor attraction and inspire teams to deliver exceptional experiences.
- Company: Join the Eden Project, a globally recognised centre for environmental engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to innovation and community engagement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sustainability and connect people with nature in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, operations, and visitor attraction management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
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 for Eden Project Cornwall within the local, regional and national community, strengthening partnerships and enhancing Eden's reputation as a world-leading visitor attraction, educational charity and environmental organisation. The postholder will lead multidisciplinary teams, drive commercial and operational performance, foster innovation and continuous improvement, and contribute to the long-term success and evolution of Eden Project Cornwall as one of the UK's leading visitor attractions and a globally recognised centre for environmental engagement and learning.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership and Vision: Contribute to the strategic development and future evolution of Eden Project Cornwall, ensuring the site continues to innovate, grow audiences, deliver commercial success and remain at the forefront of visitor attraction excellence. Lead the delivery of Cornwall's strategic objectives, ensuring alignment with Eden Project's mission, purpose and organisational priorities. 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. Build strong relationships with tourism bodies, local authorities, business partners and community organisations to enhance Eden Project Cornwall's role as a key regional and national destination.
- Planning, Capital Projects and Sustainability: Lead and support significant site developments, capital investments and operational improvement initiatives, ensuring minimal disruption to visitors and maximum long-term value to the organisation. 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: 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.
- Desirable: 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
- 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.
- Experience leading operational transformation, visitor experience enhancement programmes, or significant organisational change within a large-scale visitor attraction.
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.
- Ability to influence business planning and organisational strategy.
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.
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.
Head of Site - Cornwall employer: Eden Project
Eden Project is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity and passion for fresh produce thrive. With flexible shifts, opportunities for personal growth, and unique perks like free entry for family and friends, you will be part of a dedicated team that celebrates culinary excellence in a dynamic environment. Join us in making memorable experiences during our exciting events, including the 25th Birthday celebrations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Site - Cornwall
✨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. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Eden Project
Don't be shy about reaching out to Eden Project 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 Head of Site - Cornwall
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 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
✨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!
