Director of Heritage, Hospitality & Visitor Experience
About The Story of Emily
The Story of Emily is a unique heritage destination that brings to life the remarkable story and legacy of Emily Hobhouse through immersive storytelling, historical interpretation, hospitality, retail, events and visitor experiences.
Located in Cornwall and forming part of the wider Babylonstoren and The Newt group, The Story of Emily combines heritage, culture and hospitality to create meaningful experiences for visitors from across the UK and beyond.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a growing cultural destination and play a key role in shaping its future direction, reputation and long-term success.
The Opportunity
Following almost five years with the wider group, our current General Manager is moving on to pursue a new opportunity, creating an exciting opening for an experienced leader to guide The Story of Emily through its next chapter.
We are seeking an inspiring and commercially minded leader who is passionate about heritage, visitor experience and people. This role requires someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational excellence, whilst maintaining a strong connection to the guest experience that sits at the heart of everything we do.
As the senior leader on site, you will be responsible for the overall performance, sustainability and reputation of The Story of Emily. Working closely with shareholders and senior stakeholders, you will lead the business through its next phase of growth, ensuring that our heritage mission, visitor experience and commercial objectives remain closely aligned.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for an individual with significant leadership experience within a heritage, cultural, tourism, hospitality or visitor attraction environment.
You will understand that exceptional visitor destinations are built through a combination of authentic storytelling, outstanding hospitality, effective marketing, commercial discipline and strong people leadership. You will be comfortable leading diverse teams, engaging with stakeholders at all levels and representing the organisation externally.
The successful candidate will have a proven track record of delivering operational excellence, driving financial performance and creating memorable visitor experiences, whilst developing a positive and high-performing culture.
You will have a good understanding of destination marketing and audience development, recognising the importance of building awareness, attracting visitors and ensuring the attraction remains relevant and compelling to both existing and new audiences.
You will also be confident acting as an ambassador for the organisation, whether presenting to community groups, tourism bodies, partners, media or industry audiences.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential:
• A relevant bachelor's degree.
• Significant senior leadership experience with full operational and financial accountability.
• Experience within a heritage, cultural, tourism, hospitality or visitor attraction environment.
• Experience managing budgets, business planning and commercial performance.
• Proven success leading and developing teams.
• A good understanding of marketing, audience development and visitor attraction growth strategies.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence in public speaking, presentations and external representation.
Desirable:
• Experience working with shareholders, boards, trustees or owners.
• Experience leading organisational growth, transformation or significant development projects.
• Experience within a museum, heritage attraction or cultural destination.
The Role
The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership across all areas of the business, including visitor experiences, hospitality, retail, events, property and estate presentation.
You will be responsible for ensuring the attraction delivers exceptional visitor experiences whilst maintaining strong financial performance and operational standards. You will lead and develop the management team, oversee business planning and governance, and build productive relationships with local communities, tourism organisations, partners and stakeholders.
As the public face of The Story of Emily, you will play a key role in strengthening the attraction's reputation, profile and long-term sustainability.
What We Offer
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead one of Cornwall's most distinctive heritage destinations.
• International collaboration opportunities across Babylonstoren and The Newt group.
• The opportunity to shape the future of a growing cultural and visitor attraction.
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