Deputy Head of Centre in Richmond

Salary £34,320pa – £38,480 depending on qualifications and experience (plus meals during working hours). This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team at this unique centre in beautiful Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The successful applicant will have a varied role in the centre.

Duties include:

• Assisting the Head of Centre in the overall running of the centre
• Deputising when the Head of Centre is out or on leave
• Instructing activities to a wide variety of groups
• Designing programmes and organising staffing
• Organising the DofE Expedition programme for visiting schools
• Staff training and session observation
• Staff appraisals and coaching for Instructors
• Equipment purchasing and overseeing equipment checks
• Monitoring risk assessments and associated licensing paperwork
• Assisting the Friends Committee and promoting the centre

The successful applicant will need to have the ability to work as part of a small team delivering high quality Outdoor Education to visiting children, young people and adults. Good communication, people management skills and efficient administration are required for this post. An established background in Outdoor Education and a good standard of academic ability. A full driving licence (preferably with D1 Minibus entitlement) and a current First Aid Certificate are essential.

A range of NGB awards and experience in some of the following areas:

• Water activities: Paddlesport Leader/Canoe and Kayak Coach/SUP Coach
• Climbing – Rock climbing Instructor Award or equivalent
• Caving – Level 1/2 LCMLA
• Archery – GNAS Award

Please apply by full CV with details of 2 referees (one should be a current or recent employer – references will not be contacted until a job offer is made) and a covering letter giving details of your experience and why you are interested in the post to: Phone: 01748 884434. Email: office@marrickpriory.co.uk If you would like an informal conversation about the post then please contact the Head by email or tel 01748 884434. Closing date for applications is 19th April 2026. Start date is May 2026.

Further Detail

Marrick Priory is a Christian Outdoor Education Centre set in the heart of Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales. It enjoys a fantastic setting on the banks of the River Swale and has a unique and historic atmosphere. It was founded 850 years ago as a Benedictine Priory but then dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. In the 1960s the building was converted into an Outdoor Education Centre that has grown and developed over the years. Marrick Priory is a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee with a strong link to the Diocese of Leeds. There is a pro-active and supportive management committee who oversee its well-being, ethos, staffing and financial management. The centre is busy all year round with schools, colleges, churches and youth groups who stay for weeks or weekends. We also run a day activities programme for non-resident groups from the local region. Groups follow a broad programme of outdoor activities with the aim of developing personal and life skills, confidence, self-esteem and teamwork.

Staff Team

A total of 17 full and part-time staff work at the centre. These include: Head of Centre, Deputy Head of Centre, 5 Instructors, Housekeeper, Administrator, Site Maintenance Manager, Development Officer and 6 part-time Domestic staff.

Purpose of Post

The post holder will contribute to the day-to-day management and operation of the Centre. They will deputise for the Head of Centre and help to ensure the safe and effective delivery of quality Outdoor Education and residential visits from a wide variety of groups. The post holder is a key link with visiting leaders to design the programme and organise the staff rota. The post holder will be an example to instructing staff, setting a high standard of teaching to groups and assessing and monitoring the quality of instruction at the centre.

Relationships

The post holder will be a key member of the centre’s team, reporting directly to the Head of Centre. Close working relationships will be necessary with the Housekeeper, Development Officer and Office Administrator to ensure bookings are well planned and co-ordinated. Effective and professional relationships with all centre staff and a wide range of other people from schools, local authorities and the wider community will also be essential.

Main Duties

Service Delivery

• Assist in the running of the centre and deputising for the Head of Centre in their absence.
• Ensuring that operational policies and guidelines are maintained and quality is evident in the delivery of Outdoor Education and residential visits.
• Acting as the duty officer for the day on a rota basis with Instructing staff.
• To lead and instruct a wide range of activities to visiting groups and set an example of good practice to other Instructors.
• To liaise with group leaders and plan safe, effective and purposeful programmes which meet the needs of group members.
• To manage the provision of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition section with visiting schools.
• Assist with reviewing risk assessments and associated licensing paperwork.

Management of Staff

• Assist with staff training, induction and the monitoring of sessions.
• Organise the rota, days off and duty instructor for the programme.

Resource Management

• Assist the Head of Centre with equipment purchasing.
• Oversee equipment checks and repairs.
• Assist the Friends of Marrick Priory in fundraising events.

Marketing and Bookings

• Assist the Head of Centre and office staff to optimise bookings.
• Undertake marketing and promotional tasks as necessary to develop new bookings.
• Any other duties that can reasonably be expected of the post.

Qualifications and Experience

NGB qualifications and experience in as many of the following areas as possible: rock climbing, water activities such as canoeing/kayaking/stand up paddle boarding, caving, orienteering, archery and hill walking. Understanding and awareness of the benefits of Outdoor Education and some of the theoretical concepts underpinning good practice. Good communication and people skills to effectively work with visiting leaders and staff throughout the centre. Efficient and organised administration skills. Familiar and competent with typical office IT software. A full driving license (preferably with D1 entitlement) and clear enhanced DBS check are essential.

Personal Outline

An ability to work well as a key member of a small team. Keenness to work with children and young people, and to be sympathetic to their needs. Initiative and enthusiasm to develop the Centre and its staff. Broad support for the Christian aims and ethos of the Centre.

Conditions of Service

Appointment

This is a full-time permanent post with an initial 6-month probationary period. The starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience. Payment of salary will be monthly and in arrears, by bank transfer.

Pension

Marrick Priory operates the Government Nest Pension scheme and the appointed person would be auto-enrolled into this scheme. The Employer contributes 3% to the pension scheme. Employees may opt out of the scheme if they wish to make their own pension arrangements.

Other Benefits

The Priory shares the cost of relevant NGB training and assessment courses and where possible these are undertaken during work time. Opportunities are available for the successful applicant to build on existing qualifications and broaden into new areas. During the year there are additional staff training days and personal use of Priory equipment.

Working Pattern

The centre takes bookings during the week and at weekends and the working pattern takes into account the size and programme needs of the visiting group. All instructing staff have 2 days off for every 5 days worked. The Deputy Head organises the instructing staff rota and would normally rota themselves for an evening duty. The working pattern involves weekend work at the busy times of the year and days off might fall during the week. All instructing staff work a nominal 40 hrs per week and time off in lieu is given for busier periods. When groups are not resident then working hours are usually Mon-Fri 9-5pm.

Holidays

There are 34 paid holidays a year and bank holidays are included in this total. Ten days are taken at Christmas, 5 days at Easter and 10 days in August. The remaining 9 days can be taken by mutual agreement at other times of the year. The first 6 months will be regarded as a probationary period. The post is subject to satisfactory medical and DBS reports. There will be an ongoing review of the job description.