Site Manager - HorseWorld

Established in 1952, HorseWorld Trust is a registered charity based in Whitchurch, near Bristol, committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing horses, ponies and donkeys in need. 

Vision:            A world where horses and people help each other to live and work in harmony.

Mission:         To create a safe community where horses and people connect together and enjoy lifelong learning.

Values:           Caring  Ÿ  Collaborative  Ÿ  Proactive  Ÿ  Adaptable  Ÿ  Inclusive

Job title:                     Site Manager

Job overview:            HorseWorld’s home at Keynes Farm is approximately 150 acres of outstanding land.  Home to 100+ horses and a learning centre that helps thousands of children through Equine Assisted Learning.  Critical to the health & happiness of the herd & the young people who visit us is the land and facilities here.  As site manager you will work with our Welfare & Discovery Teams to ensure that the site and land are kept at their best at all times so we can all be proud to host guests and work here.  And, as we look to the future, the Site Manager will also be critical in helping to identify opportunities for expansion or development.

Day to day you will assist in the smooth operation of HorseWorld by leading a small team to ensure the efficient management of premises, pasture, vehicles, equipment and matters of associated Health & Safety.

This will include: care of pasture with associated agricultural requirements, grounds keeping, routine maintenance of a small fleet of vehicles, maintenance of properties including offices, barns and equestrian buildings, compliance with legal and health and safety requirements.

Salary:                        £35,000 to £38,000 pa dependent on qualifications and experience.

Reports to:                 Deputy CEO

Hours:                        Permanent, an average of 35 hours per week.  Working 8am to 4pm with a half hour unpaid rest break each day.  Days to be worked on a rota determined by the requirements of the team, working one weekend in four whilst ensuring appropriate supervision is always available.  Additional out of hours work may also be required for which time in lieu will be given. 

Location:                    HorseWorld Trust, Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol BS14 0QL

Key Tasks

To work with and oversee your team in carrying out:

Land Management

• Helping to maintain a site we are proud to host guests and work in. Work closely with Equine Welfare to create and implement pasture management for 150 acres of varied terrain. To include seasonal activities and researching best practice environmental land management. Maintain extensive network of farm tracks to allow access. To include repair works and management of hedgerows and trees. Ensure visitor access areas maintained to a professional standard.  Manage ongoing repairs and replacement to fences and gates, with an understanding of requirements for the safe housing of equines. Assist with the management, storage and moving of feed, forage and bedding. Ensure surfaced areas such as riding arenas receive routine maintenance. Annual weed spraying programme with site tree management. Overseeing external visits regarding land management and development, site surveys and potential future requirements of the Charity, keeping CEO/Deputy CEO appraised at all times.

Building Management

• Working closely with Deputy CEO to ensure buildings fit for purpose and identifying potential for improvement / reuse / development.  Management of maintenance and routine checks for internal and external areas. Liaising with and supervising contractors. Escalating matters to line manager and keeping relevant Heads of Department informed.

Vehicle Management

Small fleet of vehicles include; Tractors, all terrain tele handler (Merlo), UTVs, Horse box, Trailer and road vehicles. Management of associated attachments and equipment. Create and implement a schedule for routine checks and maintenance.

Health & Safety

Ensuring compliance with H&S laws relating to farm and vehicle maintenance and operations. Promoting good H&S standards, working closely with line manager, colleagues and H&S advisors. Management of Risk Assessments, Safe Working Procedures and COSHH regulations for site management. Ensuring hazards identified and dealt with and escalated. Attend and contribute to monthly H&S meetings. Organise and maintain workshop areas, ensuring all tools, equipment and machinery kept safely and in good working order. 

Team Management

Management duties for small team to include; regular performance and development reviews, setting goals, objectives, training objectives and lead on improvement. Ensuring appropriate site cover, managing a team Rota and holiday approval requests. Leading by example demonstrating excellent work ethic and commitment to HorseWorld’s code of conduct.  

General

Department budget management and financial planning. Calculating and comparing costs for required goods or services to achieve maximum value for money. Project manage, supervise and coordinate the work of contractors. Initiate a timed repair schedule for buildings, vehicles, fencing and land. Liaising with Department Heads to ensure facilities available, and creation and implementation of projects. Completion of departmental paperwork and reports. Daily liaison with Security guards ensuring an efficient and thorough handover given and services in line with objectives. Ensuring out of hours emergency contact for security issues and alerting Line Manager and SMT. Daily liaison with Cleaners ensuring they are in line with objectives and reporting issues to Line Manager.  

Ensuring effective operation of HorseWorld

Assisting and supporting with setup of internal and external events or visitors eg behind the scenes tours / open day events etc, ensuring the site is clean and tidy. Presenting HorseWorld in a way that is consistent with its work and philosophy. Adhering to policies, procedures and performance expectations and upholding the ethos of HorseWorld in all functions. Adhering to all statutory H&S regulations, taking responsibility for H&S on site; ensuring hazards or problems reported to Line Manager. Attending and contributing to meetings and training and development activities. Taking responsibility for clothing, footwear and PPE issued. Behaving in polite and acceptable manner to all staff, clients and general public. Performing any other duties consistent with the role and/or as reasonably required.  

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Current full, clean driving licence. Understanding of the day-to-day workings of a large-scale equine yard/agricultural environment. Sound knowledge of H&S, creating and implementing Risk Assessments and Safe Working Procedure. Managing Safely certificate in Health and Safety regulations (or prepared to undertake the training). Experience of organising daily tasks, supervising people and leading a team (minimum 3 years) Knowledge of buildings, land and farm management Operation of various large agricultural vehicles and equipment Experience of vehicle care, providing routine checks and maintenance Experience of Site Health and Safety regulations

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Procurement and negotiation skills Ability to multitask and prioritise your workload and that of the team Project management skills Teamworking skills and the ability to lead and motivate others Able to work around large and unpredictable animals Clear and concise writing skills and the ability to handle long and complex documents

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience and knowledge of caring for horses Confident decision making The ability to draw information for various sources, including people Sound IT skills Relevant land maintenance qualification Up to date Safeguarding training Demonstrable experience of GDPR First Aider and Fire Warden Training

Special Conditions

• Physically demanding role, working predominantly outside, taking an active role and overseeing all tasks and duties. This role involves working on occasion in close proximity to unhandled and nervous equines. Working on a site with vulnerable young people - DBS check will be required. Must be flexible with days/hours of work and willing to assist with occasional events, which may involve working outside normal hours. E.g., Open days. Commitment to the Charity and its aim to provide excellent care to equines in need and promoting emotional growth and learning in children, young people and adults.

To apply for this role in the first instance, please submit a full CV and covering letter.  If you are shortlisted you will be required to complete an application form.  We are a Safer Recruitment organisation and this is mandatory.  Applications to be sent to:  liz.appleby@horseworld.org.uk

Liz Appleby, HR & Training Officer, HorseWorld, Delmar Hall, Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol BS14 0QL

Deadline for receipt of applications:  12 noon on Monday 4^th November 2024