At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage daily operations at Lockley Lodge and ensure smooth sailings to Skomer Island.
- Company: Join the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales, dedicated to protecting nature.
- Benefits: Annualised salary, free time in winter, and a chance to work in beautiful locations.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife conservation while gaining valuable management experience.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and a passion for nature are essential.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 24000 £ per year.
We are looking for someone with excellent retail experience and a passion for our islands to join our Lockley Lodge team as Assistant Manager. The position will involve working from mid-March to mid-September, with the remainder of the year free. The contract is annualised so the salary will be paid in equal instalments across 12 months.
The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales is a charity dedicated to protecting the region’s most precious wild places for people and wildlife. We manage over 100 reserves, including Skomer and Skokholm Island. Lockley Lodge welcomes over 25,000 people to our islands every year and generates important income to support our work across the region.
As Assistant Manager, you will manage the daily operations of Lockley Lodge, working to maximise income and manage the safe transit of passengers to Skomer Island.
- Sailings: To work in conjunction with the Skomer Island Team and the Dale Sailing team. Monitoring weather forecasts, planning and agreeing boat schedules and communicating sailings to the public via social media. Managing effective customer flow to vessels via VHF radio through liaison with the Dale Sailing crew. Ensuring biosecurity measures are adhered to and advising visitors of these where required. Ensuring integrity of luggage and refusal of prohibited items, for example, drones and dogs. Effective monitoring and use of FareHarbor online booking system to maximise sales and income. Managing visitor disappointment and maximising revenue by rebooking cancelled and surplus visitors to alternative crossings and cruises. Liaising with Dale Sailing to ensure that an appropriate number of vessels are available to meet the demand. Monitoring and advising passengers with regards to safety and fitness for travel.
- Sales and customer focus: To recruit, appoint, develop and retain a staff team to deliver safe crossings, a fantastic visitor experience and to maximise retail income. To set rotas to ensure effective till cover, security and sales cover. To maintain good levels of stock availability without compromising security. To develop relationships with both local and national suppliers. Having a good understanding of national competition. Pre-ordering of stock early to ensure availability of stock for the following trading year. Maintaining accurate records of stock and sales. Good purchase order and invoice integrity and timely, regular communication with both the Finance team and the Lockley Lodge Manager. Managing telephone sales for goods and processing private landers landing fee transactions. Packing and posting of telesales items. Process banking of cash in line with Trust procedures. Actively encourage visitors to support the work of the Trust by becoming members. To undertake other duties appropriate to the post that may be requested from time to time by the Lockley Lodge Manager.
- Facilities: To manage the day to day cleaning and maintenance of Lockley Lodge. To ensure smooth running of tills, ancillaries including card machines, IT, telephones and security cameras. To conduct relevant safety checks and adhere to Trust health and safety policies. To report any maintenance issues in a timely manner. Ensure the interactive cameras are maintained annually and operational on a daily basis. To offer excellent customer service and visitor experience through provision of high quality stock, stock availability and information about the wider work of the Wildlife Trust, maximising every opportunity to promote the Trust.
For further detail, see job description and person specification below.
How to apply: Please complete our online application form or send your completed application form to info@welshwildlife.org with the job title as the subject line. You must be a UK citizen to apply for this role.
Key dates: Application closing date: Monday 23rd February 2026 at 5pm. Interview date: Friday 27th February 2026 (location TBC). If you haven’t received any communication from us after Wednesday 25th February your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Equal opportunities: We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusivity. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff, volunteers and supporters. We welcome applications from people from groups which are underrepresented in the conservation sector, particularly people from minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities and people from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Even if you do not feel you meet all the criteria, please do submit an application. We can provide training and support to the right candidate. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible.
Lockley Lodge Assistant Manager employer: Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
Contact Detail:
Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lockley Lodge Assistant Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Lockley Lodge and its operations inside out. Familiarise yourself with the daily tasks, the team, and the local area. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you when it comes to hiring.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to retail management and customer service. Think about specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your skills and passion for wildlife conservation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Lockley Lodge team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lockley Lodge Assistant Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When filling out your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and our islands shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about what we do at Lockley Lodge.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your retail experience and any relevant skills that match the job description. We’re looking for someone who can manage operations smoothly, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Assistant Manager role.
Apply Online: Don’t forget to complete our online application form! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details, and we can’t wait to read your application. Remember, the deadline is Monday 23rd February 2026!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with Lockley Lodge and the Wildlife Trust's mission. Brush up on their conservation efforts and how they impact the local community. This shows your passion for the role and the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Retail Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past retail roles that highlight your customer service skills and ability to manage stock effectively. Think about times when you maximised sales or improved customer satisfaction, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling difficult situations, like managing visitor disappointment or ensuring safety during sailings. Practise your responses to these scenarios, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few insightful questions about the role and the team dynamics at Lockley Lodge. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you. Consider asking about future projects or how the team collaborates with the Skomer Island Team.