Hospitality Co-ordinator

**POLTIMORE HOUSE TRUST**

**Hospitality Co-ordinator**

**Overview**

We’re looking for an experienced and entrepreneurial person to help us develop Poltimore
House & Grounds as a destination for visitors and as a venue for private events. This salaried post is initially offered for 12 months but can be extended if income targets are achieved.

Located just outside Exeter, Poltimore House is a Grade II* Listed Building dating back to
1550. The House suffered from serious neglect and vandalism in the past, but due to the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteers it has been saved for future generations. Poltimore House Trust, a registered Charity, has ambitious plans to restore the House as a focal point for the arts, business, communities and wellbeing.

Building sustainable sources of income forms an important part of our plans. Branches Café opened in 2022, staffed entirely by volunteers, and is attracting a growing number of customers. Opening times are currently restricted to weekends but our aim is to extend this to Thursdays and Fridays, making the Café available for private events on other weekdays. A Farm Shop has also been added in recent months.

There is significant untapped potential for venue hire at Poltimore House & Grounds, including weddings, business events and private parties. Capacity for these activities will grow as the restoration of the House progresses over the next few years.

The growing success of Branches Café has outstripped the ability of our current team of volunteers to manage and operate it on their own. Whilst volunteers will continue as the backbone of the Café and its related activities, we have secured grant funding for a salaried post to co-ordinate and support day-to-day operations, and to help drive growth forward.

**What you’ll be doing**

You’ll be working closely with members of the Trust Board and volunteers to manage and expand the Café, Farm Shop, venue hire and events business, including ‘hands-on’ involvement in day-to-day operations. You’ll also be exploring new avenues of income generation to support the restoration of Poltimore House & Grounds.

You will bring fresh thinking, a passion for excellence and a love of working with people - including the ability to motivate and upskill the volunteer team who will be working alongside you.

**Job title**:Hospitality Co-ordinator

**Hours**: Average 22.5 hours per week but may vary each week according to demand.

**Salary**: Dependant on experience

**Paid leave**:18 days per year.

**Duration**: 12 months in first instance.

**Main purposes of job**

1. To support the restoration of Poltimore House & Grounds by enabling increased income generation from Branches Café, venue hires (including weddings), events, and through the development of additional commercial activities.

2. To manage day-to-day operations in the Café, private hires and events.

3. To expand the recruitment of Café volunteers.

4. To ensure a sustainable improvement in income generation and capacity by the end of the current employment contract.

**Key tasks**

1. To deliver marketing campaigns for Branches Café, venue hires and events.

2. To support Martinsfield Farm in managing and growing the Farm Shop.

4. To enlarge the volunteer rota for the Café, private hires and events, to ensure training where appropriate, and to ensure sufficient day-to-day volunteer/staff capacity.

5. To manage and organise the procurement of food and other supplies.

6. To work in the Café and at private hires and events when required.

**Key results/objectives**

1. A 25% increase in weekend turnover in the Café in 2024 compared with 2023.

2. Extend Café opening to two weekdays, achieving at least 50% weekend turnover.

3. Achieve 50% private hire occupancy when Café closed.

4. Maintain high quality standards in the Café, private hires and events, based on customer/participant feedback.

5. High levels of volunteer recruitment, motivation and satisfaction.

6. Capacity to sustain increased income generation by the end of the initial contract.

**Responsibility for staff and equipment**

Managing the work of the Catering Host (0.6 contract) and volunteers, including deployment to the Café, private hires and events as appropriate.

Ensuring the maintenance of kitchen equipment. Curating and deploying appropriate equipment for private hires and events.

**Reporting to**

The postholder will be accountable to Rosemary Exton (Lead Trustee for Branches Café) in the first instance.

Close liaison with the Chair of the Trust, the Treasurer, and the Volunteer Co-ordinator is also required.
- Experienced in the hospitality sector and/or events management
- Highly organised
- Focused on quality and excellent customer service
- Good communicators
- Sympathetic able to guide, train and encourage volunteers
- Versatile - willing to be ‘hands on’ as well as co-ordinating and planning
- Imaginative and able to generate new ideas
- Willing