Attraction Manager in Plymouth

Location: Powderham, Devon

Terms: Full Time / Permanent

Days: Typically Monday-Friday, including two Sundays per month, with additional evening work required during peak seasonal periods

Annual Leave: 30 days per year

Pension: Eligible to join the company pension scheme

Salary Band: 4 (£30,000 - £35,000)

As Powderham embarks on the growth phase of its 5-year strategic plan, we are investing in our future by expanding our management team to help deliver this exciting vision for the future. These roles will play a key part in expanding and supporting our established team, working closely with an experienced and supportive senior leadership group.

Purpose

The Attraction Manager will lead the day-to-day operational management of Powderham's visitor attraction. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Attraction Manager will play a key role in planning, coordinating and delivering the operational activities that support the smooth running of the site and the achievement of organisational goals.

Reporting to the Heritage Manager, the Attraction Manager will manage visitor services, gardens, guides, and volunteers, ensuring high standards of customer service, presentation, safety and engagement across all visitor facing areas. The role is focused on operational delivery, ensuring that every aspect of the visitor experience runs efficiently, safely, and in line with Powderham's heritage and core values.

Key Responsibilities

• Attraction Operations
  • Manage the daily operation of the visitor attraction including the Castle, gardens and grounds ensuring smooth visitor flow, safety and an excellent visitor experience
  • Manage the scheduling, staffing and performance of the visitor services, gardens, guides, and volunteer teams
  • Work with the Castle Manager on maintenance and collection care, and furniture moves to minimise operational disruption
  • As a member of the Facilities Committee, work with the Castle Manager to ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, risk assessments and emergency plans
  • Contribute to continuous improvement in operations, visitor satisfaction and team development
• Guide Management
  • Manage and support the team of guides to deliver engaging and accurate talks and interpretation
  • Ensure that all guides are trained in customer service, storytelling, and historical knowledge
  • Manage the scheduling of tours and guide availability to meet visitor demand
  • Work with the Guide and Interpretation coordinator to maintain accuracy and consistency in interpretive content and tour delivery
  • Monitor feedback from visitors and guides to enhance the overall experience
  • Offer specialist tours on request
• Volunteer Management
  • Manage volunteer engagement across the attraction, ensuring volunteers are welcomed, valued, and effectively integrated into the attraction
  • Carry out recruitment, induction and training of volunteers
  • Develop and maintain a positive and inclusive volunteer culture, recognising contributions and supporting development
  • Ensure volunteers are briefed on health, safety and safeguarding procedures
  • Maintain volunteer records and ensure effective communication with all volunteer groups
• Gardens Management
  • Line manage the Garden Manager to ensure high standards of horticultural presentation and maintenance in the Walled Garden
  • Work with the Heritage Manager and Gardens Manager in the reinstatement to the Victorian Walled Garden into the attraction
  • Support the planning and delivery of seasonal displays, planting schemes and garden interpretation
  • Coordinate gardens operations with events and visitor programming to maximise the visitor experience
  • Ensure the gardens are maintained safely and sustainably, with due care for heritage and biodiversity
• Visitor Services Management
  • Line manage the Visitor Services Manager to ensure the team delivers a warm, informed and professional welcome to all the visitors
  • Oversee ticketing, point of sale systems and visitor support
  • Monitor customer service standards, visitor feedback and operational efficiency
  • Support the development of the retail offer and other income-generating opportunities
  • Oversee education and group bookings against target
• Financial and Administrative Responsibilities
  • Contribute to budget planning, cost control and income monitoring
  • Ensure efficient scheduling and resource allocation to meet operational targets
  • Contribute to reporting on visitor numbers, feedback and operational performance

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in attraction or visitor services management within a heritage, museum, tourism or leisure attraction
• Strong team management skills, with experience managing staff and/or volunteers
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Sound understanding of visitor experience principles and customer service excellence
• Knowledge of health and safety, safeguarding and risk management in public facing environment
• Ability to work flexibly including weeks and evenings

Desirable

• Experience working within a heritage or historic house setting
• Knowledge of horticultural or grounds management
• First Aid
• Experience in commercial operations or volunteer engagement

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Powderham is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. Powderham in providing goods and/or services and/or facilities is also committed against unlawful discrimination of customers or the public. Our full EDI policy is available on request.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a CV. All applications should be submitted through our vacancy page by 12th January 2026.