Chief Executive Officer
(Business Transformation)
Two year contract
Remuneration up to £60k pa fte
Melrose, Scottish Borders
Recruitment Information
The Abbotsford Trust is looking to appoint a Chief Executive to lead the organisation through a process
of business review, improvement and development. This will include revisiting our vision, strategic
priorities for the next 2-3 years, refreshing our business plan, and ensuring that our structures, systems
and resources are fit for purpose, and managing the changes to the way we work.
Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, has come to the end of an £11.24 million restoration and the
historic house was officially re-opened to the public in July 2013. We have now completed our first full
year of trading and are positioned to look at our future on the basis of actual experience as well as
maintaining our ambitions for future growth and development.
Working closely with the Board of Trustees, our staff and volunteers, and other key stakeholders, the
Chief Executive (Business Transformation) will:
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lead on the review and development of the vision and strategic priorities
review the financial and business performance of the charity, identifying areas for improvement
and change and ensuring the achievement of financial sustainability
refresh and revise our Business Plan and financial projections
review and refine our structures, systems and resourcing to ensure we are fit for purpose
The successful candidate will have a professional background and senior management experience in a
relevant field combined with financial and business acumen. Sh/e will have knowledge of the heritage,
educational or cultural sectors and an interest in Abbotsford and Sir Walter Scott and his legacy. S/he
will evidence strong leadership skills, and the ability to lead successful business transformation.
Candidates will be asked to provide a CV and a statement of interest in the position. Those shortlisted
will be invited to complete an online Belbin Team inventory. A prepared Assessment Activity and
Presentation will form part of the Interview Process.
The Abbotsford Trust is a registered Charity (Charity No SCO37424)
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
1
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014
Job Description
Chief Executive
(Business Transformation)
Status:
Two year contract
Location:
Abbotsford, Melrose
Reporting to:
line managed by Chair or nominated Trustee, reports to Executive Committee
and accountable to Board
Responsible for:
line management of Heritage & Engagement Manager, Gardens Heritage
Manager, Visitor Services Manager, Finance & Administration Manager and
Marketing Officer
Context
Abbotsford was designed and built by Sir Walter Scott as both his home and the location for his
extensive collection of books and historical memorabilia, and was first opened to the public in 1833, five
months after his death. After the death of his last direct descendent in residence, Dame Jean MaxwellScott, in 2004, The Abbotsford Trust was created to preserve, protect and promote not only the house,
but also the life and works of Sir Walter.
Abbotsford has come to the end of an £11.24 million restoration, with £4.85 million granted by the
Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £3.95 million granted by the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders
Council, Historic Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. As the next part of the journey, Abbotsford needs
to create a financially sustainable future for the charity, maximising the potential of such a significant
heritage site and ensuring significant operational growth in terms of visitor numbers and commercial
income generation.
We are looking for a Chief Executive for a period of two years with a specific remit to review and turn
around our business performance including working with the Trustees, managers and key stakeholders
on vision and direction, setting strategic priorities for the next 2-3 years, updating our business plan, and
reviewing our using of resourcing to support achievement of the same.
Job Purpose
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To work with the Board of Trustees to refresh and develop the vision, direction and strategic
priorities in order to ensure Abbotsford is established as a premier heritage and visitor
destination
To review the business and financial performance of the charity and lead the revision of the
business plan for the next two years
To review the structure, systems and resourcing of the charity to ensure that the charity is best
placed to achieve the business plan
To ensure the Trust has a clear fundraising strategy and play a key role in major donor
fundraising and funder relations
To have overall operational and financial management responsibility for the Trust, including
governance support and ensuring effective implementation of change
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
2
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014
Scope and Accountability
Reporting to the Executive Committee and accountable to the Trustee Board, the interim Chief
Executive will play a key strategic and business transformation role. The postholder will support the
governance levels to refresh and reposition the charity and identify what the strategic priorities for the
next two years will need to be to ensure that Abbotsford is positioned as a key heritage site with a
financially sustainable future. The postholder will implement and manage through the organisational
changes over two annual seasons, leading a review and evaluation after the first season to informing the
focus for the second.
Key outcomes for the first six months will be:
 A vision statement
 Strategic Objectives for the next 2-3 years
 A refreshed Business Plan that fully reflects the heritage and commercial aspects of the charity
 Clear business priorities
 A revised business model in terms of structure, systems and resourcing
 A succession plan in place, particularly in relation to Trustees and Key Convergence posts
 Clarity about the positioning of fundraising within the charity
Areas of Responsibility
Business Transformation
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Work with the Board, other Trust managers and key stakeholders to refresh the vision and
strategic priorities for the charity as a whole
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Review the financial and business performance of the Trust over the last twelve months and identify
the opportunities for both business growth and business efficiency over the next 2-3 years
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Review the structure and resourcing of the Trust and identify areas for change and improvement in
order to ensure that the charity is able to become financially sustainable and achieve the desired
growth
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Work with the Executive Committee and key managers to refresh the Business Plan, including
revisions to reflect the revised strategic priorities and financial plans that take account of experience
over the last year as well as potential growth for the future
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Provide leadership and management to the service managers, encouraging engagement with business
needs and key challenges facing the Trust as a heritage charity and as a financially viable business
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Develop proposals for the future of the Trust for consideration by the Board of Trustees, with
practical and achievable areas for operational change and business improvement
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Advise on the development and implementation of effective financial management at all levels
throughout the charity, working closely with the Treasurer, Finance & Admin Manager and service
managers
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Review the strategic priorities and resourcing requirements for fundraising income generation over
the next 2-3 years and develop sound relationships with key funders and major donors
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Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders internally and externally
in order to ensure that business development proposals are informed and maximise engagement
with the required changes
Governance and Board
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Ensure that the Executive Committee is kept fully and appropriately informed of key organisational
issues, developments and opportunities
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Ensure the Board is provided with all necessary financial and management information to discharge
their fiduciary and governance responsibilities, working through the Executive Committee and with
external specialists as appropriate
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
3
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014
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Ensure that the Board and Board Sub Committees are serviced efficiently and that the Chair and
Lead Trustees are provided with any additional support required to discharge their duties
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Work closely and consultatively with the Faculty of Advocates in relation to the Joint Collections
Trust and the security, conservation and development of the jointly owned artefacts
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Provide the Board with guidance on good governance models, skills audits, access to learning and
development, and access to professional advisers as required (eg legal, financial, heritage specific)
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Support the Nominations Panel in the recruitment and appointment of new Trustees
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Act as Company Secretary on behalf of the Board, including ensuring compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements, and submission of annual report and other documentation as required to
Companies House and the Charities Commission
Operational Management
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Ensure the development and implementation of effective financial management at all levels
throughout the charity, working closely with the Treasurer, Finance & Business Systems Officer and
senior managers
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Ensure that service development and provision is innovative, effective, reflects organisational values,
and can demonstrate desired impact
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Drive, oversee and help develop marketing strategies for each aspect of both the charitable and
commercial elements of the organisation including the need to raise external funds
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Provide overall leadership to the staff and volunteer team, including ensuring effective performance
management and development across all activities
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Overall responsibility for all aspects of resource and facilities management, ensuring contractor
arrangements are negotiated and managed and working through and with front line staff
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Responsibility for the management of franchises and contracts, in particular the Ochiltrees
Restaurant and other catering arrangements, ensuring that the provision meets business needs
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Overall responsibility for ensuring the charity has a full set of required policies implemented and
monitored, working through and with the appropriate lead personnel on each area (curatorial,
health & safety, customer services, employment, complaints, child protection etc)
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Ensure that the charity is an employer of choice and that people (staff and volunteer) management
and development reflects organisational values and legal compliance
Communication and Relationships
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Develop networking, influencing and collaborative working relationships with local, regional and
national government and key decision-makers in the statutory, charitable and community sectors
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Maintain effective working relationships with the Faculty of Advocates in relation to the jointly
owned Collections and shared interests in Abbotsford
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Develop and sustain partnerships and networking relationships with key organisations in the field of
heritage, education and culture
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Ensure the development and maintenance of excellent internal communications with and between
staff and volunteers and trustees
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Act as an ambassador for the organisation, undertaking public and media presentations, attending
conferences, and events, decision-making and lobbying forums, community activities as appropriate
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
4
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
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Knowledge, experience and qualifications in a relevant professional field
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Senior management experience within a relevant organisation
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Excellent financial management skills combined with business acumen and demonstrable
experience of interpreting and applying financial information and accounts
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Knowledge of the heritage, education and/or cultural sectors and particularly the challenges of
ensuring financial sustainability
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Demonstrable expertise in successful business review and transformation, combined with
excellent understanding of marketing
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Understanding of the challenges of balancing heritage requirements with commercial
considerations
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Excellent understanding of organisational structures, dynamics and change processes
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Some knowledge and experience of funding and managing funder relationships
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Understanding of the legal requirements that pertain to a heritage charity and knowledge of
where to look for information and guidance
Skills/Attributes
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Highly developed analytic, evaluative, creative and strategic thinking skills and ability to review
and refresh a business and develop a new model
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Ability to explore and engage with complex problems and identify creative, practical and realistic
solutions
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Excellent formal communication skills, including ability to draft and deliver succinct and engaging
presentations and reports that capture complex issues and make them accessible to wider
audiences
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Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to build relationships with a wide range of key
stakeholders, and to persuade and motivate
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Leadership skills, including ability to provide vision and inspiration
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Confidence to challenge assumptions
Personal Qualities
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High level of interest in Abbotsford and the legacy of Walter Scott and commitment to
supporting the Trust to become an effective and premier heritage site
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High level of self-awareness and commitment to own personal and professional continuous
development
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Commitment to equality and diversity and how it applies within a public facing charitable
enterprise
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Living within a commutable distance of Abbotsford in Melrose for all seasons
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
5
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014
Background
In 2007, Abbotsford came under the care of The Abbotsford Trust - a new charitable trust created
following the death of Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott, the last descendant of Scott to live at Abbotsford.
The Patron is The Duke of Buccleuch and the Trust aims to preserve and protect Abbotsford for
future generations and act as a guardian of Scott’s legacy by continuing to educate the public about
his home and his work.
In order to guarantee Abbotsford’s long-term future as a visitor attraction, the Trust began to raise
the £14.5 million required to save the house, its buildings, lands and contents for Scotland and the
wider world in 2009. With help from statutory bodies, such as The Heritage Lottery Fund and
Historic Scotland, over £12 million was raised for the capital project which has allowed us to
restore and conserve the house and its collection of 9,000 books and 4,000 objects, all of which
were collected by Scott.
Alongside the restoration of the house a new Visitor Centre was created, including a free to access
introductory exhibition on Sir Walter Scott and Abbotsford; this opened in August 2012 and had
welcomed over 35,000 visitors by the following July, despite the historic house still being closed for
restoration. In July 2013 the house successfully reopened to the public and welcomed over 40,000
paying visitors to the House in its first season following redevelopment and a further 30,000 to the
grounds, restaurant and gift shop.
To date, the Trust has raised over £12 million, thanks in large part of the generosity of public
sector bodies including the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government
and Scottish Borders Council, as well as private individuals, trusts and foundations, however £2.5
million still needs to be raised to safeguard this unique historic property.
The Trust completed an £11.68 million restoration of Abbotsford in 2013, but this was just the
start of a journey to ensure that Abbotsford and the legacy of Sir Walter Scott will be promoted
and conserved for future generations.
Why Abbotsford Matters
Abbotsford, the home that Sir Walter Scott created, is recognised worldwide as a living symbol of
the mind and soul of a man who did so much for literature and for the Scotland we know today. It
is first and foremost a literary home - the place where Scott was inspired to write the majority of
his great works.
Scott lavished time, energy and funds on the creation of Abbotsford. Upon completion in 1824 the
image of Abbotsford appeared across the globe and inspired a vogue for Scottish Baronial
architecture in England, America, Canada and even Russia. Scott’s vision also influenced other
landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament in London, Balmoral on Royal Deeside and the Tribune
Tower in Chicago. Many places are named after Abbotsford – suburbs of Sydney, Melbourne,
Dunedin and Johannesburg as well as towns and cities in Canada and the USA.
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
6
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014
Scott amassed a unique collection of over 9,000 volumes housed in the purpose-built Library and
Study at Abbotsford. The building is also home to a remarkable collection of antiquities, weapons,
suits of armour, animal skulls and foreign curios procured by Scott to decorate his house and to
project an aura of heritage so prized by the Victorians. Despite its ancient style, the house was
modern and the first in Scotland to be lit by gas. It is an early example of ‘House and Garden’; the
integrated concept of bringing a formal garden close to the house.
Abbotsford holds an important place in the history of architecture and is particularly significant
because Scott was so instrumental in the design and realisation of his dream. The house offers a
unique insight into Scott’s creativity through the construction of his ‘Conundrum Castle’ and a rare
experience where visitors can come close to a great man of the past.
Why Scott Matters
Until Scott, 19th century readers concentrated on poetry, plays and sermons; novels were widely
considered as tasteless. This changed in 1814 when a small anonymous novel entitled Waverley
became fiction’s earliest bestseller, earning Scott ten times as much in its first year as Pride and
Prejudice made Jane Austen in her lifetime. It was the book that began to make novel reading
respectable. Scott produced a vast volume of work over the following 16 years, including iconic
novels such as The Heart of Midlothian, Ivanhoe and Kenilworth, which generated an insatiable appetite
for this form of writing.
Scotland was seen as a barren and inhospitable wilderness before Scott. His works such as The Lady
of the Lake, Waverley, Rob Roy and Tales of a Grandfather transformed his homeland into a landscape
of romantic beauty and Highlanders into noble savages with an enviable code of courage, honour
and loyalty. The image of Scotland which holds sway throughout the world today owes almost
everything to Sir Walter Scott, who can be credited as the man who reinvented a nation.
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
7
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014
Staffing Structure October 2014
Chief Executive
(Business Transformation)
Marketing Officer
Visitor Services Manager
Heritage & Engagement
Manager
Gardens Heritage Manager
Finance & Administration
Manager
House Manager
Visitor Centre Assistants x4
Wedding & Events Coordinator
Bookings Administrator
Domestic Support x2
Volunteers
The Abbotsford Trust
Candidate Pack
Heritage & Engagement
Assistant
Head Gardener
FR Development Assistant
Volunteers (Guides, Stewards,
Learning)
8
Finance & Admin Assistant
Gardeners x 2
Ranger
Volunteers
Chief Executive (Business Transformation)
November 2014