General Manager Full-time, fixed term Contract
Caherconnell Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations is located in the heart of the Burren UNESCO Geopark and is owned and run by the Davoren family. The centre offers visitors from all over Ireland and the world an opportunity to engage with one of the Burren’s premier tourist destinations.
Through interaction with expert local staff the traditions and heritage of Caherconnell are brought to life. Caherconnell Fort has evolved throughout the past decade and now offers individuals the opportunity to experience our Sheepdog Demonstrations, and explore the Burren’s largest ringfort all supported by a craft and coffee shop delivering a world-class visitor experience.
Caherconnell Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations is seeking an exceptional, positive individual to join the team as General Manager. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the General Manager will be responsible for the overall performance, guest experience, and commercial success of the attraction. The role combines operational leadership, people management, commercial development, and compliance oversight.
If you are a strategic and driven professional with strong planning, analytical and stakeholder management skills, this could be the ideal role for you. This is initially a full time, one year contract. Applicants will require a full clean driving licence.
Manage the delivery and development of Caherconnell Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations
services to ensure and advance the quality This includes
accepting responsibility for managing all services and ensuring that systems are in place to support
this responsibility. This includes but is not limited to:
Commercial and business development
● Identify and target new customer segments (e.g. groups, schools, corporates, tour
operators) and develop initiatives to grow footfall and revenue.
● Lead contract negotiation with partners, agents, and suppliers to secure favourable
commercial terms.
● Continue to support and enhance current customer and business relationships as well as
networks.
Communication and scheduling
● Supervise the prioritisation and response to guest, staff, and partner communications.
● Continuously review and ehance processes that ensure the seamless operation of our
product to customers
● Control and oversee the site calendar, ensuring bookings, events, and key activities are
correctly entered and validated.
Operations and procurement
● Oversee ordering of stock, services, and supplies in line with budget and quality standards.
● Meet suppliers regularly to review performance, negotiate terms, and source new
opportunities.
● “Walk the floor” daily to monitor standards, guest experience, cleanliness, health and
safety, and, taking immediate action where needed.
● Review capacity and availability (tours, tickets, café, events) and adjust staffing, opening
patterns, or inventory to maximise revenue and guest satisfaction.
People management
● Promote positive employee relations in a manner that conforms to the ethos and policies
of Caherconnell Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations, current legislation and best Human
Resource practices.
● Develop and implement appropriate Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines.
● Train new and current team members on the service.
● Perform a comprehensive review of processes, practices and procedures, with a view to
recommending more efficient ways of completing essential tasks.
● Lead recruitment for key roles, including shortlisting, interviewing, and selection.
Essential skills and attributes
- Significant experience in hospitality, leisure, or attractions management, with proven leadership responsibility. • A dynamic and creative person with initiative • Over five years of people management experience, including recruitment, training, and performance management. • Commercial acumen with experience in budgeting, financial oversight, KPI development and monitoring as well as contract negotiation. • Excellent organisational skills, with strong calendar and workload management. • Confident communication skills with the experience of relationship building with team members, visitors, and external partners. • High standards of visitor service, with a hands‐on approach and willingness to be visible on the floor. • A person of integrity
Terms and Conditions Contract: 12 months initially subject to satisfactory performance and the continued availability of funding. A probationary period of 6 months will apply. Hours: A 40 hour working week. Due to the nature of the post, evening or weekend work is required. Holidays: Holiday entitlement is 20 days annual leave. Reporting Relationship: The General Manager will report to the Board of Directors.
Caherconnell Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations is an equal opportunities employer
Job Type: Permanent
Pay: €50,000.00-€65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company events
- Food allowance
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
