General Manager – York Area Group Portfolio (Maternity Cover, 12–14 Months FTC)
We’re looking for an inspiring, forward-thinking leader to join our York Area group on a fixed-term maternity cover basis. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to lead a diverse collection of special places: Beningbrough, Nunnington Hall, Treasurer’s House and Goddards .
The York Area plays a vital role in delivering our strategy of People and Nature Thriving, with a focus on driving sustainable growth and ambition and opportuinity to inspire audiences and supporting meaningful engagement with communities. During this maternity cover period, you’ll play a key role in maintaining momentum across the portfolio—building on strong foundations to deliver great visitor experiences, grow income and ensure continuity across a range of established priorities and projects.
This role offers the opportunity to step into a broad General Manager position within a supportive regional structure, with guidance and mentoring from the Assistant Director and a network of experienced General Managers.
Additional Information:
- This is a Fixed-Term Maternity cover role (12-14 months) including a structured handover
- A strong opportunity to develop at General Manager level within a supportive environment, with mentoring from the Assistant Director and peer General Managers.
- Based at Beningbrough with travel across our beautiful portfolio of locations
- Some weekend and occasional evening work required
- We welcome applications from candidate interested in external secondments, subject to agreement with their current employer
What it's like to work here:Reporting to the Assistant Director of Operations for Yorkshire, you’ll be part of a collaborative leadership community across the North region. You’ll lead a passionate, multi-disciplinary team of staff and volunteers, supported by regional and national specialists.
You’ll join a newly formed property group with clear plans and priorities already in place for 2026-27 with opportunity to own and develop future plans. Your focus will be on leading delivery, maintaining consistency and supporting teams to succeed, ensuring the portfolio continues to perform strongly during this period.
Primarily based at Beningbrough, you’ll travel regularly across the portfolio (approximately 60:40 split). The role includes monthly weekend and occasional evening working.
What you'll be doing:You’ll provide visible leadership across a group of very special places – supporting teams to deliver great experiences for visitors, generate sustainable income and care for our nature and heritage.
Working closely with colleagues, partners and local communities, you’ll help shape and deliver the vision for the York area at our places and beyond, overseeing key projects while ensuring strong operational performance.
Through inclusive and collaborative leadership, you’ll help more people feel welcome, connected and inspired by these places.
Who we're looking forYou’ll bring:
- Proven experience leading and motivating teams, with the ability to deliver through others
- The ability to quickly build credibility and maintain delivery in an established, high-performing environment
- Strong operational capability, including financial and risk management
- Experience in visitor-focused, commercial or operational settings (heritage or cultural sector desirable)
- Experience supporting delivery of ongoing programmes, projects or complex operations
- The ability to build effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders and communities
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative, inclusive leadership style
The packageThe National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Fixed Term f/t (37.5 hrs pw to 30/10/27)
