Birnbeck Pier Transition Manager in Weston-super-Mare

Welcome to North Somerset Council’s Web Recruitment page where you will find details of our current vacancies. If you experience any issues completing your application, or require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please call the Human Resources Team on 01275 888788 or email Human.Resources@n-somerset.gov.uk.

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

This exciting new role will lead the transition from the capital restoration of the Pier site to establishing the site as the region’s newest visitor attraction. We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated person to take on the newly created role of Birnbeck Pier Transition Manager. The post holder will work closely with the team currently delivering the capital restoration project and other key individuals from external partner organisations. In this role, you will be responsible for leading on and building from scratch a completely new management and organisational infrastructure, in partnership with one or more new operating partners. This will offer you a unique opportunity to design and implement a complete system of integrated strategies, policies and management structures. We are looking for someone with drive and determination, backed by sound experience in the management of visitor attractions to take on the challenge of establishing the operation and management policies and procedures to open successfully to the public. You will be supported in this by additional new posts of community engagement and admin support.

Key Responsibilities

• Setting up a heritage site management and operational structure from scratch
• Developing a working partnership agreement between North Somerset Council (the freehold owners) and a new operating entity
• Working alongside the restoration team to ensure the public facing works and facilities will best deliver an attractive and popular site

The Birnbeck Pier Restoration Project

North Somerset Council took ownership of the nationally important pier site in July 2023. The pier structure and buildings on the landside and island were derelict and in a dangerous condition and the whole site had been closed to the public since 1994. The pier structure is Grade II* listed, with five other buildings and structures at the site listed as Grade II in their own right. Our ambition is for Birnbeck Pier and Island to re-open to the public, attracting visitors to this nationally important heritage site. The vision is not only to bring the pier and its buildings back from the brink of loss, but also to create a unique destination to support the regeneration of Weston-super-Mare. To achieve this ambition, we have secured over £44m from external funders including HM Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Restoration work is well underway with the landside buildings and Pier bridge expected to open in summer 2027 and further phases of the North Jetty and island buildings restoration to follow.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is a desirable condition for this role. This position will be split across two locations - the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare and the Birnbeck Pier historic site, Weston-super-Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated. This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the Town Hall or the Birnbeck Pier historic site (exact days may vary from week to week)
• Works both from home, the Town Hall or the Birnbeck Pier historic site, depending on the task at hand.

Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about heritage management, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in a relevant field such as heritage management, business/leisure/tourism/event management. There is scope for acceptance of transferable skill sets which would be an appropriate fit to this role
• Demonstrable experience in strategic senior leadership and management roles within the heritage/business/leisure/tourism/event management field
• Previous experience of setting up new management and operational structures
• Proven track record in high level partnership working across the community, voluntary, public and commercial sectors
• Strong skills in financial management with a focus on maximising income generation

Relevant Skills

• Leadership in a completely new working environment
• Staff management
• Partnership working
• Good understanding and use of day to day IT office systems

Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent communication and negotiation ability—able to liaise with developers, members, public, and colleagues alike
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to propose practical, policy-informed design solutions
• Organised, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple tasks to deadlines
• Flexible and pragmatic
• Awareness of the political environment
• Enjoy working with people and leading a small team

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Rachel Lewis, Heritage & Design Team Manager at rachel.lewis@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role. Interview Date: TBC. We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role. At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.