General Manager

General Manager

(The Story of Emily | Cornwall, United Kingdom)

Lead a place where history inspires the future.

Some destinations entertain. Others leave a lasting impression.

The Story of Emily is one of those rare places.

Nestled within Emily Hobhouse's beautifully restored family home in Cornwall, The Story of Emily brings one of Britain's most remarkable humanitarian legacies to life through immersive storytelling, exceptional hospitality and meaningful visitor experiences. As part of the internationally acclaimed Babylonstoren and The Newt group, we combine heritage, innovation and world-class hospitality to create a destination that inspires curiosity, connection and discovery.

As we enter an exciting new chapter, we are looking for an exceptional General Manager to lead the next phase of our journey.

The Opportunity

This is far more than a General Manager position.

It is an opportunity to shape the future of one of Cornwall's most distinctive heritage destinations—leading a talented team, delivering outstanding commercial performance, safeguarding an extraordinary legacy and creating experiences that visitors will remember long after they leave.

Reporting directly to the shareholders and working closely with senior leaders across the wider group, you will provide strategic leadership across every aspect of the business—from visitor experience and hospitality to financial performance, property management, commercial growth and community engagement.

You will inspire excellence while ensuring that every decision supports our purpose, protects Emily Hobhouse's legacy and strengthens The Story of Emily as a nationally significant cultural destination.

What you'll lead

You'll provide strategic direction and operational leadership across the entire business, including:

• Developing and delivering the long-term vision, business strategy and annual operating plans.
• Driving sustainable commercial growth across admissions, hospitality, retail, events and future opportunities.
• Taking full accountability for financial performance, budgeting, profitability and investment decisions.
• Leading and developing a high-performing leadership team while fostering an engaged, collaborative culture.
• Delivering exceptional visitor experiences built on authentic storytelling and outstanding hospitality.
• Overseeing all operational areas, including exhibitions, visitor services, hospitality, estate presentation and technical systems.
• Acting as landlord for estate properties, including staff accommodation and rental properties, ensuring legal compliance and effective property management.
• Maintaining the highest standards of health and safety, operational excellence, governance and risk management.
• Building trusted relationships with shareholders, local authorities, tourism organisations, heritage bodies, community partners and the wider industry.
• Representing The Story of Emily as its public ambassador at conferences, industry events and within the national heritage and tourism sectors.
• Championing innovation while preserving the integrity of Emily Hobhouse's extraordinary story.

About You

You are an inspiring leader who combines commercial acumen with genuine warmth.

You understand that exceptional visitor destinations are created through outstanding people, meaningful experiences and disciplined execution.

Equally comfortable setting long-term strategy and walking the site, you lead by example, develop others, make sound commercial decisions and continually seek opportunities to improve.

You thrive in complex environments where heritage, hospitality, operations and business performance come together.

What you'll bring

• A relevant bachelor's degree.
• Significant senior leadership experience with full operational and financial accountability.
• Experience within hospitality, tourism, heritage, cultural or visitor attraction environments.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability, including budgeting, business planning and P&L responsibility.
• Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience delivering operational excellence, governance and continuous improvement.

• Confidence representing an organisation publicly and building strategic partnerships.
• Experience working with shareholders, owners or boards.

• Experience leading organisational growth or major development projects.
• Experience within museums, heritage attractions or cultural destinations.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to lead a destination unlike any other.

You'll have the freedom to shape its future while working alongside internationally respected brands recognised for excellence in hospitality, innovation and visitor experience.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive remuneration and benefits package.
• International collaboration across Babylonstoren and The Newt group.
• Opportunities for international travel.
• The chance to lead one of Cornwall's most distinctive heritage destinations.
• A culture where ambition, creativity and fresh thinking are encouraged.

If you believe heritage should inspire, hospitality should be exceptional and leadership should leave a lasting legacy, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more

• www.thestoryofemily.com
• www.thenewtinsomerset.com
• www.babylonstoren.com