We are an award-winning family attraction and heritage charity at the heart of West Lothian. Our 23-acre site features historic buildings, rare breed animals, landscaped gardens, play areas and engaging visitor spaces — and we’re looking for a skilled Estates Maintenance Manager to lead the care, upkeep and development of this unique estate.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for estate maintenance, grounds management, health & safety compliance, team leadership and delivering an exceptional visitor experience for over 160,000 visitors each year.

You will report directly to the Director and be part of the Senior Management Team, playing a central role in shaping and delivering our ambitious five-year transformation strategy.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in estates, facilities or grounds management (heritage, cultural or visitor attraction setting desirable)
• Strong practical maintenance skills with sound knowledge of health & safety legislation (including PUWER and COSHH)
• Experience leading teams, managing contractors and overseeing site development projects
• Ability to develop proactive maintenance and asset management plans
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach
• A proactive, visitor-focused mindset with commitment to sustainability and conservation

This is an exciting opportunity to make a visible impact within a much-loved community attraction while helping safeguard and evolve an important heritage estate for future generations.

We are an award-winning family attraction and heritage charity at the heart of West Lothian. Our 23-acre site features historic buildings, a working waterwheel, accredited museum, rare breed farm, landscaped grounds and vibrant visitor spaces welcoming over 160,000 visitors each year.

As we deliver our ambitious five-year strategy, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Operations Manager to lead the safe, efficient and commercially successful day-to-day operation of Almond Valley Heritage Centre.

Reporting directly to the Director and forming part of the Senior Management Team, this is a pivotal leadership role responsible for visitor experience, commercial performance, events, and health & safety compliance across the site.

Key Requirements:

• Senior operational leadership experience within a visitor-facing or multi-use site
• Proven ability to implement strategy and drive commercial growth
• Strong understanding of health & safety and compliance management
• Experience leading and developing teams
• Financially confident with strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• A collaborative, people-centred leadership style

This is an exciting opportunity to take a visible leadership role within a much-loved community attraction while helping shape its future growth and resilience.

About The Cats Whiskers:

The Cats Whiskers was formed in 2018 by a group of dedicated local volunteers, who saw a need in our local community for the care and re-homing of cats. Initially, these efforts were all carried out with the support of incredible foster carer volunteers. We are now thrilled to operate our re-homing centre in Alloa.

We also have a charity shop in Alva, opened in 2018, which generates income for our core purpose of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming cats.

Purpose of the job:

Since welcoming the first cat into our shelter in October 2022, our activities have grown to meet

need. In 2023, we rehomed 150 cats. In 2024, this increased to 179. We have also had an increase

in foster care, launched a pet food bank, and become a distribution partner for The Blue Cross. We

are seeking to onboard this role, our first paid staff member, to ensure the smooth day to day

running of our Rehoming Centre on Broad Street. To take on this role, we are looking for someone

who shares our passion for cat welfare, and wants to provide a quality, community service,

supporting our incredible volunteer team, working with, and furthering our local partnerships, and

ensuring the best possible care for our cats.

Main Responsibilities:

As the Volunteer and Centre Coordinator, you will be responsible for the day to day running of the Centre, focusing on the welfare of all cats in our care, and managing our volunteer programme. You will also ensure that all administrative and maintenance procedures are completed to a high standard.

We are looking for someone who is positive, driven and has the ability to thrive under pressure. You will support the board of trustees to continue to develop our Centre and services to meet local need. You will be someone who has:

• Experience and passion for cat care
• Great communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• Current (clean) driving license
• Strong organisational, administration and analytical skills
• Experience of working within local communities; creating and nurturing partnerships
• Awareness of health and safety legislation
• Willingness to learn
• Preferred experience of volunteer recruitment, support and supervision