Gascoyne Estates, owners of extensive private family property holdings, manage Hatfield Park, a vibrant and historic estate located in Hertfordshire. Our portfolio includes Hatfield House, formal gardens, parklands, residential and commercial properties, farmland, and forestry. We aim to create lasting social and commercial value for our communities by curating a high-quality environment for living, working, and visiting.

We are seeking a dynamic and inspirational leader to join us as the Director of Visitor Operations. This role is pivotal in enhancing our leisure and hospitality business, ensuring outstanding customer experiences across a range of activities. You will lead a team to deliver a high-quality, profitable annual calendar of events, manage conferences and weddings, oversee on-site filming, and maintain the care and conservation of Hatfield House and Park.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maximise net income from high-quality events that enhance Hatfield Park’s reputation.
• Review and streamline operating structures and processes for greater efficiency.
• Develop and implement an ambitious business plan to increase profitability and reputation.
• Collaborate with our catering partner to drive revenue from the Coach House Kitchen.
• Grow the pipeline of weddings, corporate conferences, and private celebrations.
• Activate Stable Yard and surrounding areas to enhance Old Hatfield as a vibrant destination.
• Evolve the strategy for filming to increase revenue and profile.
• Ensure effective forward planning to leverage marketing and social media strategies.
• Oversee significant events and collaborate closely with other business areas.

About You:

• Inspirational leadership with a track record of team happiness through change.
• High standards of service and presentation, with strategic business development experience likely to have been gained in the hospitality, leisure, cultural or heritage environments.
• Strong planning and execution skills, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to create outstanding customer experiences while maintaining commercial outcomes.
• Strong character and gravitas, balanced with openness to listen, challenge, and influence.
• Capable of managing heavy workloads and prioritising effectively.
• Resourceful in identifying and creating synergies with available resources.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

Lisa Henry

Principal Researcher – Charity, Arts, Culture & Heritage

Berwick Partners

D +44 (0)121 654 5974

lisa.henry@berwickpartners.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Friday 25^th April 2025