Spa Director

Gisborough Hall is delighted to confirm that Sakura Spa, a thoughtfully designed new spa nestled within the hotel’s private woodland gardens is set to open in Spring 2026, Sakura Spa will offer a tranquil, nature-led experience inspired by the restorative power of simplicity and the beauty of the natural world.

We are actively recruiting a Spa Director on a full time (40 hours/5 days) basis. The role will cover five days out of seven, on a rota basis and shifts will include late/early start/finish times.

Gisborough Hall is a four-star country house hotel that combines modern day luxury and traditional features within its ivy clad walls. Situated near the cobbled market town of Guisborough, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park and in Captain Cook’s county, Gisborough Hall is surrounded by stunning open countryside and not far from the coastal towns of Whitby and Saltburn-by-the-sea.

This is a high-profile role initially working as a part of the project team to successfully launch the new Spa including the recruitment of the team, pre-opening operational set up, along with supporting marketing and sales to ensure a robust strategy is in place to successfully open the Spa.

Post opening, the role will consist of the day-to-day running of the facility in a hands-on capacity (including extensive outdoor thermal facilities, 6 treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, and F&B outlet). This role will be fast paced and will require a strategic thinker to proactively manage both the team and operations to ensure profitable margins.

Reporting to the Hotel Manager, this senior position requires a highly experienced, organised and motivated individual with a strong commercial focus, proven leadership skills and great presence. Key to the role is the ability to grow the business, to develop a strong, proactive workforce, fit to join the existing Hotel team.

Successful candidates will have the ability to develop the integration and relationship with the existing Hotel, to support the overall success of the Spa.

This role is expected to start in January 2026.

Essential attributes:

• Experience of running a similar business
• Strong commercial acumen
• A passion for customer service excellence
• Proven experience of managing a large team and multi-departments
• Excellent analytical, numeric and verbal reasoning skills
• A timely and methodical approach to work with proven ability in relation to planning
• Good broad legislative knowledge with regards to Health and Safety (and a willingness to develop in this area)
• Strong IT skills
• Health and Safety experience
• Driving licence and own transport
• Process and systems driven
• Beauty background (desirable)
• Experience of setting up a similar operation would be advantageous

Salary will be dependant on experience and will be discussed with the successful applicant at interview stage. This post will be entitled to 31 days holiday (including public and bank holidays).

In addition, we offer the following benefits:

• Continuous professional development
• Free parking
• Meals on duty
• Uniform
• Social events/activities
• Generous pension scheme
• Discounted Hotel/F&B rates

(Supporting Information)

Job Description:

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Lead a well-trained, professional, and customer-focused spa team.

Maintain a strong front-of-house presence, supporting the operational team and engaging with members.

Ensure seamless day-to-day operations, maintaining high-quality service standards.

FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE

Achieve commercial targets through strategic planning and structured development.

Prepare monthly financial and statistical reports, analysing competition, occupancy, usage, and market share.

Establish and manage a cost-effective wage structure that aligns with productivity and efficiency goals.

Drive sales and set realistic and achievable team targets.

Develop annual budgets and liaise with the Financial Controller on forecasts, stock levels, requisitions, and financial targets.

HUMAN RESOURCE

Accountable for ensuring all HR requirements are followed and in place for the whole team.

To effectively administer and plan rota’s, timesheets, lieu time and holidays for direct reports and to ensure direct reports do this for their team members at least one month in advance.

To be fully conversant with disciplinary procedures and all other relevant human resources practices e.g. sickness/absenteeism.

To ensure that each new member of the team receives a departmental and company induction on their first day of employment.

To carry out appraisals/job chats as per Gisborough Hall appraisal system.

Ensure recruitment, training, development and staffing levels are as required, whilst demonstrating a ‘hands on’ management style, with the support of the HR, Training and Development Manager.

To be a supportive manager and take time to develop and retain a skilled and loyal team.

To ensure that all departmental staff adhere to the company code of conduct.

Ensure that all departments are staffed efficiently and to the required level of business needs. Casual staff are only used where necessary, and that annual leave is recorded and managed correctly to maintain the correct amount of cover within the business.

Work within the Human Resources framework, adhering to agreed policies and procedures policies to ensure compliance with both legal requirements and health & safety legislation.

Carry out investigations with regard to queries with pay and follow up with employee in a timely manner, with the support of the HR, Training and Development Manager.

ADMINISTRATIVE/OPERATIONAL

Implement and maintain reporting procedures and control systems in line with hotel standards.

Ensure compliance with health & safety policies, particularly regarding hygiene and cleanliness.

Manage equipment, products, services, and operational standards.

Address guest and member queries, concerns, and complaints promptly and professionally.

Conduct regular management and departmental meetings, ensuring effective communication.

Stay updated on industry innovations and assess their relevance for the spa.

SALES AND MARKETING

To develop a full and robust marketing calendar for all areas of the spa including:

Develop and implement membership sales and retention strategies.

Collaborate with the Hotel Marketing Manager.

Ensure strong internal and external representation of the spa.

Keep members informed through newsletters, events, and promotional campaigns.

Network within and outside the organisation to enhance spa visibility and success.

IT SYSTEMS

To ensure that all IT systems are correctly configured, and data integrity is maintained at all times.

Responsible for ensuring all staff are trained, confident and competent to use relevant IT systems and have appropriate access levels for job role.

Identify and take action to ensure the continued development of all IT systems to enable the best possible service to members/guests and to improve efficiencies in the operation.

Establish contingency plans for system failures.

HEALTH & SAFETY/LEGAL/COMPLIANCE

Maintain up-to-date health & safety documentation and ensure staff training.

To ensure that all staff in the department are adequately trained in all jobs they are required to carry out.

To ensure that all required PPE is readily available for the team.

Organise statutory training and ensure staff participation.

Ensure that health and safety requirements are maintained within the department area and immediately deal with and report in the H&S meeting any concerns.

Ensure that all equipment used within the spa is maintained and in good working order.

To ensure procedures are in place for any accidents to be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

To deal with immediately and H&S issue brought to your attention by staff members.

Develop a crisis management plan covering power outage, water loss, and other potential emergencies.

To have a thorough knowledge of and adherence to the law with regard to the following company regulations:

• Fire regulations and procedures.
• Health and safety regulations.
• First aid procedures.

Interested parties should send a covering letter and CV to Any questions with regards to the role should be directed to Nicki Kurran/Samantha Lightwing on

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