Vacancy: General Manager

Background & Ethos

Cober Hill was established in 1920 by Arnold Rowntree to bring people together within an ethos of community, learning and diversity. This commitment remains our core focus today. We welcome guests from our core customer base of charities, voluntary organisations, religious bodies, schools, colleges, adult education groups, plus private guests.

Cober Hill consists of 2 main buildings: the main house built in 1890 and the Joseph Rowntree Centre built 100 years later. There are 63 bedrooms and a wide range of communal facilities including a small theatre. In addition, there are 2 flats occupied on a rental basis and Butlers Cottage which is let by an external agent. All the property is located within extensive grounds overlooking the North Sea.

Cober Hill is overseen by a Board of Directors, all of whom serve in a voluntary capacity. It is wholly owned by the Cober Hill Charitable Trust. All income generated is retained within the business to support our operational needs and heritage.

Recent History

Cober Hill experienced financial losses in the years 2021-2024 as guest numbers recovered only slowly from the covid pandemic. At the same time, many of its traditional groups, such as churches, were declining in numbers, and school group visits were shortened on financial grounds. These challenges meant the Directors had to concentrate strictly on short-term viability.

There has been a substantial recovery over the past 2 years with guest numbers increasing by 20%. A surplus was made in the financial year ending 30 April 2026. Bookings for 2026 and 2027 are currently positive. Furthermore, an important partnership has been established with North Yorks Arts to hold their courses at Cober.

Directors are now able to plan ahead with confidence. One of the first tasks for the incoming General Manager will be the preparation of a 5 year plan for the period 2027-2031.

Purpose of the Role

The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of Cober Hill. This includes delivering an exceptional guest experience, ensuring financial sustainability, and promoting the organisation’s ethos and values.

We are looking for a professional and enthusiastic individual to lead the staff team and develop our service and operations. The role requires strategic oversight alongside hands-on operational leadership to support staff, optimise occupancy, and maintain high standards across all services and facilities. The General Manager is responsible for all aspects of the operation of Cober Hill, acting directly as its ambassador.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strong, inspiring leadership and direction across all departments, fostering a positive, inclusive, and customer-focused culture.
• Develop and implement a rolling 5-year strategic plan for approval by the Board of Directors.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities aligned with Cober Hill’s ethos and target markets.
• Ensure Cober Hill remains competitive within the hospitality, school and group accommodation sectors.
• Maintain risk register.
• Provide leadership and strategic planning for all departments/teams in support of the agreed service culture.

Operations & Guest Experience

• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure high standards of service, hospitality, and guest satisfaction.
• Maintain and enhance occupancy levels across core markets, including charities, voluntary organisations, schools, adult education groups, and private guests.
• Take ownership of guest feedback and complaints, ensuring timely resolution and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the buildings, facilities, and grounds are well maintained and fit for purpose.
• Support and promote Cober Hill’s ethos and culture across all guest elements.

Financial Management

• Maintain full budgetary control and financial oversight of operations.
• Work with the Treasurer and Company Secretary to prepare the annual budget.
• Present quarterly financial reports to the Board, including performance against budget and updated forecasts.
• Develop proposals for pricing, fees, and staff pay structures for Board approval.

People Management

• Lead, support, and develop Department Managers, setting clear objectives and performance expectations.
• Conduct regular meetings, annual appraisals, and ongoing performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures, including recruitment, training, and employee relations.
• Foster a collaborative, motivated, and high-performing team environment.

Compliance & Health and Safety

• Ensure full compliance with all health and safety legislation and environmental health regulations.
• Promote a safe working environment for staff and guests.

Marketing & Business Development

• Oversee marketing and promotional activities, including website, social media, and communications.
• Drive increased bookings and revenue, including for Cober Hill and associated properties such as Butler’s Cottage.
• Monitor market trends and identify opportunities to enhance services and value for money.

Governance & Reporting

• Prepare and present reports, data, and performance updates to the Board of Directors.
• Attend and contribute to Board and Sub-Committee meetings.

Key Skills, Experience, and Attributes

• Proven experience in senior management, ideally within hospitality, leisure, or a similar service-led environment.
• Experience of the hospitality sector is highly advantageous.
• The General Manager needs to be an experienced and professional individual with a sound track record of team management, delivery of quality services, oversight of buildings and facilities, and budgetary control.
• Strong leadership and team development skills, with a track record of building effective teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, acting as a leader who will demonstrate professionalism both to staff and guests.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with the staff team and others supporting Cober will be crucial.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities calmly and methodically on a daily basis.
• Financial awareness and detailed experience managing budgets.
• Good IT proficiency.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety practices.
• Professional, approachable, customer-focused, honest, reliable, and accountable.
• Confident leader able to operate effectively at Board level.
• Calm, analytical, solution-oriented, and focused under pressure.
• Willing to support operational delivery across teams when required.
• Enthusiastic with a deep commitment to the community ethos and traditional values of Cober Hill.