General Manager

GENERAL MANAGER | DUNSKEY ESTATE

Lead a people‑first luxury estate known for exceptional guest experiences and an outstanding team culture.

ABOUT DUNSKEY ESTATE

Dunskey Estate is a 2,000‑acre, family‑run luxury destination on Scotland’s southwest coast. With an Edwardian castle, 13 high‑end lodges, award‑winning gardens, private beaches, and miles of woodland trails, it has become one of Scotland’s most distinctive venues for weddings, retreats, and luxury self‑catering stays.

Dunskey is widely recognised not only for exceptional guest experiences, but for something far less common in hospitality: a supportive, respectful, long‑standing team culture. Staff stay because they are valued, well led, and given positive opportunities to grow. Compensation is above industry standards, workloads are organised sensibly, and the resulting environment is known as a place where people enjoy coming to work.

THE ROLE

Dunskey Estate is hiring a General Manager to oversee the estate’s two core businesses:

• Events:
  Up to 25 bespoke weddings, retreats, and celebrations each year (May–October), primarily for international clients.
• Luxury Self‑Catering Lodges:
  Thirteen beautifully designed properties operating year‑round, offering privacy, independence, and a high level of comfort.

The GM will have full operational authority for day‑to‑day decisions, budgets within agreed parameters, and team leadership, working in close partnership with the owners on strategic direction. This is an on‑site role in rural southwest Scotland.

AIMS OF THE ROLE

Internal Aims:
Leading a Motivated, Supported Team

The GM protects and strengthens Dunskey’s employee‑focused culture by:

• Creating a fair, respectful, and collaborative working environment
• Maintaining reasonable workloads and clear communication across departments
• Leading with calm authority and setting high, consistent standards
• Developing staff through training, encouragement, and structured progression
• Promoting teamwork between events, kitchens, housekeeping, and maintenance
• Ensuring stable staffing levels and reliable scheduling
• Using clear procedures and modern systems to reduce stress and confusion
• Maintaining strong financial control and transparency
• Ensuring all health & safety, food hygiene and compliance standards are met

The GM ensures Dunskey continues to deliver reliable and memorable stays by:

• Upholding luxury standards across events and lodges
• Being a composed, capable point of contact for couples, families, and retreat hosts
• Anticipating needs and resolving issues quickly and professionally
• Ensuring guest journeys are smooth, thoughtful, and consistent
• Building trust that leads to repeat bookings and referrals
• Maintaining the estate’s reputation for warm and attentive service

WHY THIS ROLE IS UNIQUE

A Sustainable Approach to Hospitality

• Maximum 25 events per year ensuring quality over volume
• Predictable annual calendar
• No Christmas trading
• Genuine off‑season for planning, improvements, and rest
• Typical 45–50 hours per week across the year

Employee‑Focused Culture

• A loyal, long‑standing team who stay because they are treated well and with respect
• Staff wellbeing, retention and pride in their work are treated as operational priorities, not secondary concerns
• Owners who lead by example and work collaboratively
• A kitchen run on professionalism, accuracy, and calm rather than pressure

Modern Operations

• A custom  system integrating CRM, operations, finance, and scheduling
• Clear workflows and real‑time information
• Reduced duplication, clearer communication, and fewer points of failure

Growth and Innovation

• New lodges, wellness features and upgraded infrastructure planned
• Opportunity to shape new guest experiences and strengthen operational foundations
• Room to introduce new ideas and refine current processes
• New ideas and thoughtful challenge are actively encouraged

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team & Culture

• Lead, support and develop staff across all departments
• Promote a positive, respectful, and reliable team ethos
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and performance reviews
• Maintain strong internal communication and departmental alignment

Operations

• Oversee daily delivery of events and lodge operations
• Ensure consistent…