Centre Manager - Dorset

Centre Manager at Leeson House Field Studies Centre

Dorset Outdoor Education Service are looking for an exceptional person to become the Centre Manager of Leeson House Field Studies Centre.

The centre provides high quality primary outdoor education in addition to secondary and A-Level fieldwork. Groups visit seven days a week and throughout the whole year. This can be a residential visit with up to 80 students plus staff accommodated within the house or as a day visit.

The centre is part of Children's Services and is committed to working with children, young people and families from Dorset providing incredible opportunities to experience what the county has to offer. This could be through community events with links to our environmental and ecological work.

We also work with children who require Alternative Provision and provide Short Breaks for disabled children.

The Centre Manager will lead a fantastic team of staff including a Deputy Centre Manager, tutors, House and Catering Manager, Administrators, Site Manager and the rest of the team who keep guest fed and sleeping comfortably.

It's a varied and demanding role in terms of the required depth of experience, it would suit a qualified teacher with significant management experience. Or, an experienced Centre Manager with a detailed understanding of schools and education.

Leeson House is one of the four Outdoor Education Centres run by Dorset Council and you will work closely with the Centre Managers and Senior Tutors from the other centres. We are "One Team" with the aim of providing the very best service to all users and aligning with the visions of the Council. 

We collaborate extensively across the centres with staff regularly helping out at our other sites and supporting colleagues as required. We pride ourselves on responding quickly to enquiries and providing services at short notice when needed.

In order to do this the manager must have a breadth of relevant experience to call upon when talking to our service users or planning for new and innovative projects. You must be an effective communicator and an inspirational leader, the team must want to trust and respect you.

The centre has an income target and you must have sound experience of budget management to maintain the centres continued financial growth. 

Further Information

To arrange for an informal discussion about the role please contact Paul Burrows Strategic Lead - Outdoor Education via email paul.burrows@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

There will be a requirement for candidates to give a ten minute presentation at interview. Full details will be provided when an invite to interview is sent.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 7th July. Interviews are planned for Friday 19th July and will take place at Leeson House, there is no option for online interviewing.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.

Details: Centre Manager - Leeson House in Swanage - Dorset Council