Visitor Experience Host - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Visitor Experience Host - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Visitor Experience Host - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Ventnor Full-Time 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Welcome Centre and Adoptions Hub, ensuring every visitor feels welcome and informed.
  • Company: Join the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, dedicated to animal welfare and community engagement.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive team environment and the chance to make a real difference every day.
  • Why this job: Create memorable experiences for visitors while supporting a fantastic cause in a friendly atmosphere.
  • Qualifications: Passion for people and animals, with experience in customer service or public-facing roles.
  • Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on kindness, connection, and care.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

Overview

Join our team as a Visitor Experience Host

Are you someone who loves meeting people, leading a team helping to make every visitor feel truly welcome? If you’re passionate about creating positive experiences and supporting a fantastic cause, we’d love to hear from you.

At the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, we’re looking for a warm, enthusiastic and organised individual to lead our Welcome Centre and Adoptions Hub — a focal point for our valued visitors and a vital part of how we share our knowledge and mission and raise funds.

Responsibilities

What you’ll be doing:

In this impactful role, you’ll make sure every visitor gets the warmest of welcomes, helpful information, and a positive, memorable experience. You’ll lead a brilliant team of volunteers, keep the Welcome Centre and Adoption Hub running smoothly and help encourage kind-hearted support through donations and donkey adoptions — always with care, never with pressure.

Your day-to-day will include:

  • Opening, closing and supporting our Welcome Centre and Adoptions Hub making sure everything is ready for visitors and they run smoothly throughout the day.
  • Working with our wider team to create a safe, friendly environment for our visitors across all our public areas including car parks and paths.
  • Welcoming coach groups and introducing them to the sanctuary’s story.
  • Supporting and developing our visitor experience focussed volunteers so they can give their best.
  • Keeping things organised, stocked, and running to plan — even on our busiest days.
  • Sharing our mission and values in every conversation, helping visitors feel truly connected to our donkeys and the work we do.

What we’re looking for

  • Someone with a genuine passion for people and animals.
  • Experience in visitor engagement, customer service, or other public-facing role (ideally in a charity, heritage, or tourism setting).
  • An understanding that every visitor matters — and that their experience starts with you and your team.
  • A natural leader with experience working with and supporting and developing small teams.
  • A confident, calm communicator who leads by example.
  • Someone with a practical, hands-on attitude with the flexibility to adapt to whatever the day brings.

Why work with us

At the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, every day is a chance to make a difference — for our animals, our visitors, and our community. You’ll join a friendly, supportive team where kindness, connection, and care are at the heart of everything we do.

Whether you\\\’re greeting a family on their first visit, welcoming a coach party, helping someone choose a donkey to adopt, or simply sharing a smile and a thank-you as they leave — your role will help create memories and contribute to our overall vision of being a centre of excellence in donkey welfare.

If this role is for you, and you want to be part of our journey to provide refuge, new beginnings and exceptional care for our animals, then apply today by uploading your CV and tell us a little about yourself.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is an equal opportunities employer. We share your personal information internally within the organisation for recruitment purposes only. We ensure your information is treated with the care and the level of security that is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations. Please see our full policy online: Candidate Privacy Notice | Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

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Visitor Experience Host - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary employer: Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

At the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a warm and inclusive work environment. Our team is dedicated to creating positive visitor experiences while supporting a noble cause, offering opportunities for personal growth and development in a friendly atmosphere. Join us in making a meaningful impact every day, where your contributions help nurture both our beloved donkeys and the community we serve.
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Contact Detail:

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Visitor Experience Host - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary's mission and values. Understanding their goals will help you connect with visitors and convey the sanctuary's story more effectively during your interactions.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your experience in visitor engagement or customer service by preparing examples of how you've created positive experiences in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to lead a team and enhance visitor satisfaction.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your communication skills, especially in a public-facing context. Being a confident and calm communicator is key to making visitors feel welcome and ensuring smooth operations at the Welcome Centre.

✨Tip Number 4

Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you support and develop volunteers. Highlighting your hands-on attitude and flexibility will show that you're prepared for the dynamic environment of the sanctuary.

We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Experience Host - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Customer Service Skills
Leadership Skills
Team Management
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Public Engagement
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Empathy
Event Coordination
Conflict Resolution
Attention to Detail
Passion for Animal Welfare
Positive Attitude

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand what the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is looking for in a Visitor Experience Host. Highlight your passion for people and animals, as well as any relevant experience in visitor engagement or customer service.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in public-facing roles, especially in charity, heritage, or tourism settings. Emphasise your leadership skills and any experience you have in supporting and developing teams.

Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that showcases your enthusiasm for creating positive visitor experiences. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles and how you align with the sanctuary's mission and values.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism, which are key traits for this role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

✨Show Your Passion for People and Animals

Make sure to express your genuine love for both people and animals during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for creating positive visitor experiences and your commitment to animal welfare.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams, especially in a public-facing role. Highlight specific examples where you successfully supported and developed team members, ensuring they provided excellent service to visitors.

✨Emphasise Customer Service Experience

Since this role involves engaging with visitors, it's crucial to showcase your background in customer service or visitor engagement. Talk about how you've handled challenging situations and ensured that every visitor feels valued and welcomed.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific situations, such as welcoming a large group or dealing with a difficult visitor. Think through your responses in advance to demonstrate your calm and confident communication style.

Visitor Experience Host - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Location: Ventnor

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