Chief Instructor in Forest Row

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

As one of four Chief Instructors you will join the collective leadership of a team of professional, enthusiastic, and passionate instructors. We are committed to providing high quality, outstanding outdoor learning and residential experiences, with a focus on outcomes for young people, and this role plays an active part in achieving that aim. We are looking for a well-qualified outdoor practitioner with a clear understanding of what effective outdoor learning looks like, and with a passion for delivering learning outside the classroom. More widely, this role works across teams to support the centre's wider objectives, including Sales & Marketing, Facilities and Fundraising. There is regular collaboration with the wider London Youth team, and our sister centre, Woodrow High House. The Chief Instructor role offers an excellent opportunity for the right candidate. We are looking for someone flexible, enthusiastic, motivated, and customer focused, who brings excellent people management, organisational, and customer service skills to the role. The post requires an individual with an aptitude for training and supporting colleagues, and a flexible approach to working hours.

What you will be doing - (shared between Chief Instructors)

• Outdoor Learning & Residential Operations
  • Oversee the activity provision, ensuring safe, effective delivery in accordance with centre operating procedures and relevant National Governing Body guidelines.
  • Act as Duty Manager cover to lead the residential centre operation when required, including weekends, and be 'On Call' overnight, on a rota basis.
  • Support activity and programme development, liaising with customers before their visit, and designing these to meet their needs using Cinolla.
  • Support proactive staffing of activity operations; ensuring shifts are communicated in good time.
  • Feed into the development of annual plans and budgets that support our strategic objectives.
  • Develop and enhance our offer to optimise visitor experience and centre efficiency, improving existing programmes and sessions as well as considering the scope for new ones.
  • Support the collection of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Customer Experience data from customers, ensuring we are meeting our objectives on outcomes delivery for young people.
  • Work with Head of Centre to ensure that the operational delivery staffing model best meets the needs of the Centre, supporting recruitment and new staff inductions accordingly.
  • Work to ensure that our activities, buildings, and grounds are fully inclusive and accessible for all users, as much as is practically possible.
  • Support corporate volunteer opportunities that may provide development of activity areas.
• People Management
  • Lead an efficient and high-performing instructor team, ensuring all operational areas are run effectively, maintaining the highest standards of safety and excellent customer experience.
  • Effectively line-manage and support the development of your team through regular 121s, reviews and annual appraisals, including working on their personal CPD development.
  • Encourage and motivate your team, assisting with mentoring, training and development, ensuring that all training needs are met, is appropriate, targeted and stays within budget.
• Health & Safety Compliance
  • Ensure we maintain or surpass standards required to meet external accreditations including LOtC Quality Badge, AHOEC Gold and AALA.
  • Manage activity equipment (including PPE), implementing inspections, maintaining accurate records and actioning remedial works, in accordance with statutory and/or industry best practice.
  • Ensure a compliant and professional team, supporting ongoing training and regular observations, maintaining records to support operational delivery readiness.
  • Alongside the Head of Centre, review, update and develop activity risk assessments and operating procedures, where relevant.
  • Support the Facilities Manager in ensuring buildings, equipment, grounds, and any other operational facilities are safe and fit for purpose.
• Personal development - Yourself, Others & Corporate Responsibilities
  • Ensure your training and competence is achieved and maintained, taking responsibility for your ongoing professional development.
  • Be an excellent role model, ensuring the messages of education and development we deliver to our clients are demonstrated personally and given honestly.
  • Manage resources to the highest standards and act as a custodian of best practice.
  • Demonstrate good practice and play a proactive part in the implementation of the work and policy of London Youth as a whole, supporting the vision, mission and aims of the charity.
  • Reflect our inclusive culture in your day-to-day work and support a positive health & safety and safeguarding culture in your interactions with colleagues.
  • Follow our organisation's anti-racism principles and practices as you actively promote and respect diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work and working relationships.
  • Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested by London Youth's management that ensure the ongoing operational success of the charity and delivery of excellent customer experiences.

What you bring to the role

• Experience, Knowledge & Skills
  • Three or more full years' experience delivering a range of outdoor learning activities.
  • Experience of working with a range of customers, including young people and adults, with different backgrounds and varying needs, in an outdoor learning environment.
  • Experience of effectively leading, managing and motivating people.
  • Experience managing a complex workload, with an ability to prioritise and make confident, effective decisions when faced with conflicting priorities.
  • Demonstrable understanding of the value of outdoor learning and associated outcomes.
  • Working knowledge of safeguarding matters, health & safety best practice, and how this can be applied in practice to outdoor activities.
  • Computer literate and competent using Microsoft Office 365 applications.
  • Experience using Cinolla, or similar resource management system would be advantageous.
  • Experience of risk management including production of documentation would be advantageous.
• Qualifications
  • Minimum of three of the following recognised NGB instructing/coaching qualifications:
  • High Ropes (ERCA Traditional Instructor, ERCA Generic Rescuer)
  • Climbing (CWI or higher)
  • Archery (GB Instructor or higher)
  • Walking/Expedition Leading (Hill & Moorland Leader or higher)
  • Watersports (Paddlesport Instructor or higher)
  • Bushcraft Instructor / Leader (Level 2 or higher)
• Personal Attributes
  • We are looking for an excellent communicator, full of passion, enthusiasm, and a willingness to help develop and support young people through outdoor learning. You must possess the following:
  • Excellent people management skills, able to motivate and inspire your team and others.
  • A composed demeanour, able to stay calm under pressure and problem solve effectively.
  • Be a collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
  • Be an excellent role model who personally reflects our values.
  • Be self-motivated with a positive attitude, impeccable work ethic and a flexible approach to work.
  • Have a customer centric mindset with exceptional customer service skills.
  • Absolute commitment to London Youth's principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • Demonstrate living our values of being: Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Ambitious.

Why work at Hindleap Warren

• Generous holiday allowance of 39 days per annum (31 days A/L plus 8 bank holidays).
• We will continue to support you in working towards industry qualifications and your ongoing professional development.
• Catered meals provided whilst working when the kitchen is serving young people in residence.
• Health Care Cash Plan.
• Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
• Free access to the 'Headspace' app for you and your family.
• Free access to the Charity Mentoring Network, as a mentee or mentor.
• Generous maternity/partner/adoptive/shared parental leave.
• Accommodation is available onsite at a charge, variable in line with the Government's set NMW accommodation offset rate. Rooms are single occupancy with shared living spaces.