About The Cavalier Centre

The Cavalier Centre a fully accessible state of the art equestrian facility located just outside Much Wenlock, in the beautiful Shropshire countryside. The centre offers inclusive horse-based activities such as riding, carriage driving, vaulting, hippotherapy and horse care, all supported by volunteers and team members. It also has a range of other programmes and activities that help people develop life skills, emotional intelligence and wellbeing.

Our small team is dedicated to the wellbeing and development of our participants, the welfare and wellbeing of our equines and the support of our 200+ volunteers. We are a small, tight-knit team that works hard, laughs a lot, and brings energy and enthusiasm to our pioneering work.

We are looking for a highly motivated, qualified, experienced and organised Yard Manager to be responsible for all aspects of day-to-day yard operations at the Cavalier Centre.

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Information about the role

The Yard Manager leads the yard team of paid assistants and volunteers to ensure the health and wellbeing of our horses and ponies through excellent care, management and exercise routines. Working with all members of the team and external practitioners to maintain healthy, happy equines for ridden, driven and ground-based activities.

You will be a skilled and capable manager with an excellent knowledge of all areas of horse care and stable management. You will be passionate about welfare and have excellent knowledge of different training methods to keep horses working well and enjoying their daily routine. The yard will run smoothly thanks to your excellent organisation and communication skills.

Hours 40 hrs per week, to include a Saturday or Sunday.

Salary £25,500-£27,500 (pro rata) depending upon experience.

The full job description and person specification is available to download here.

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Essential skills and competencies required for this key role

Technical (qualifications and training)

• BHS Stage 3 or equivalent experience
• Proficient, experienced rider
• Experience of yard management in a riding school environment
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

• Good IT skills and ability to use a range of programmes and applications
• Experience of equine care and stable management
• Experience of working with a broad range of people
• Experience of meeting deadlines and prioritising own work
• Experience of completing risk assessments

Skills and attributes

• Budget setting and management
• Good relationship management skills; ability to engage confidently and sensitively with stakeholders and partners
• Excellent organisational skills; ability to demonstrate capability in multiple task management
• A passion for making a difference
• Strong work ethic and excellent team working abilities
• Proactive and self-motivated
• Willing and enthusiastic, being a role model to volunteers and other members of staff
• A commitment to prioritising the care of the Centre’s equines

Personal qualities, communicating and relating to others

• Strong commitment to supporting people with special educational needs and disabilities
• Resilience, positivity and team working
• Ability to prioritise
• Ability to lead and motivate others
• Working flexibly to meet demand
• Excellent communication skills
• Patient and sensitive to the needs of others

Safeguarding

• Be able to display an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults
• This post requires a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) disclosure at an Enhanced level

Other

• A commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity
• Ability to understand funding regulations and compliance requirements
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality
• A commitment to continued professional development and the development of the wider team

Other skills and competencies are desirable, please check the full job description HERE

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Opportunities for all

The Cavalier Centre is committed to achieving equity for all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We strive to have a diverse workforce because we believe diversity enables better organisational outcomes. We also believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all employees.

We therefore strongly encourage suitably experienced people from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.

Only suitable candidates will be contacted directly about this position, and we will not store or process the data of candidates for longer than is necessary for the recruitment process.

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How to apply

Please provide a cover letter/personal statement highlighting your relevant skills and experience and how they meet the essential skills for this role, along with a CV, and send your application to [email protected].

We want you to be able to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential when applying for the role of Yard Manager. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustments to enable us to help with making the application process work for you.

Due to a high volume of applications for our roles, should a cover letter/personal statement not be provided when applying for a role, we will unfortunately not be shortlisting these applications.

Note: we will be speaking to and interviewing candidates throughout the advertised period. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the post at any time.

Closing Date for applications: 9am 14 October, 2024

Interview date: week commencing 21 October, 2024