Centre Manager
Are you someone with hospitality or centre management experience looking for a purpose-driven job connected to sustainability, nature and community?
About Common Knowledge
Based at the gateway to the Burren near Kilfenora in County Clare, we are an award winning non profit social enterprise helping people to rediscover practical skills, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with community and nature. At Common Knowledge we believe that the solutions to the biggest challenges of our time already exist in our hands.
Through hands on learning in building, making, mending, and growing and through shared action on land stewardship and climate solutions our work supports people to create sustainable lives that feel maintainable and connected. Our 50 acre centre is a living example of regeneration in action where visitors learn, stay, and take practical hope home with them.
We are growing a team of purpose driven people who want to be part of shaping a more sustainable future built by many hands.
Role Overview
The Centre Manager leads the day to day operations of The Common Knowledge Centre, ensuring an excellent experience for course participants, guests, partners, and community members on site. We welcome more than 1,500 overnight guests each year and have earned Fáilte Ireland Welcome Standard approval, with consistently high ratings across major review platforms. The role oversees hospitality operations, accommodation, and space rentals and ensures the centre is welcoming, well managed, and aligned with our mission as a social enterprise.
This role works collaboratively with the Skillsharing Lead, Community Projects team, Marketing Manager, and Co CEOs to ensure seamless coordination across programmes and operations. It combines leadership, operational delivery, and business management in support of sustainability, regeneration, and community impact.
Your Mission
As Centre Manager you will welcome people to our 50 acre centre in the Burren where community, learning and nature come together. You will lead a warm and capable team, ensure guests feel fully supported, and help deliver experiences that strengthen belonging, celebrate the land, and contribute to a more sustainable future for everyone who visits.
Core Responsibilities
Hospitality and Guest Experience
1. Act as the primary front of house contact for visitors, guests, course participants, and space rental clients
2. Ensure all guests feel welcome with their needs met throughout their stay
3. Oversee accommodation operations and venue hire delivery to high standards of comfort, accessibility, and care
4. Continuously improve guest satisfaction through feedback, evaluation, and reflection
5. Represent the Centre at events, familiarisation visits, and promotional opportunities when appropriate
Business and Revenue Development
6. Manage hospitality and venue hire operations as a business unit that supports our wider mission
7. Strengthen and grow our regenerative tourism and venue hire offerings in alignment with our values
8. Manage booking systems for accommodation, courses, and venue hire and respond to all incoming queries
9. Collaborate with the Marketing Manager on sales, visibility, and outbound communication
10. Contribute to service budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial accountability
Operations and Facilities
11. Ensure smooth daily functioning of the centre including supplies, site presentation, and equipment needs
12. Maintain and refine systems that support efficient delivery, positive experiences, and strong communication
13. Identify and resolve issues that affect service delivery, safety, or site operations
14. Maintain collaborative relationships with suppliers, contractors, and local stakeholders
People Leadership
15. Recruit, rota, and support performance of hospitality, maintenance, and onsite volunteer teams
16. Lead regular team meetings that reinforce clarity, alignment, quality, and morale
17. Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture that supports growth and enjoyment
18. Provide clear expectations, coaching, and support to ensure consistently high standards
Sustainability and Net Zero Integration
19. Promote and embed sustainability practices across centre functions and procurement
20. Partner with the Skillsharing Lead to deliver the Net Zero Action Plan and implement regenerative systems on site
21. Support environmental monitoring and reporting including carbon, waste, and biodiversity indicators
Compliance and Risk Management
22. Ensure regulatory compliance including fire safety, planning, accommodation licensing, and food hygiene standards
23. Maintain strong health and safety practices that protect visitors, staff, and volunteers
24. Maintain risk registers, induction processes, and emergency response plans
Development Opportunities
25. Support cultural events, residencies, and experiences that bring the Common Knowledge ethos to life
26. Explore options for onsite ethical retail offerings for participants and visitors
27. Contribute to longer term improvements that enhance sustainability, accessibility, and guest experience
Required Skills and Experience
28. Own car and full driving licence
29. Ability to reliably commute to our Centre or relocate to do so
30. Experience or strong interest in hospitality management and social enterprise
31. Proven ability to lead teams and manage busy operational environments
32. Strong organisational skills with ability to manage competing priorities
33. Above average digital literacy including booking and communication platforms
34. Enjoys problem solving, proactive solutions, and steady leadership in a dynamic setting
35. Confident communicator, comfortable in guest and public facing interactions
36. Based within reasonable commuting distance for on site presence
Personal Qualities
37. Warm, welcoming, and people centred
38. Practical, adaptable, and proactive
39. Calm and thoughtful in decision making
40. Committed to sustainability and continuous improvement
41. Enjoys being part of a mission driven organisation
Terms
42. Full time permanent role, 5 days per week or 40 hours per week
43. Regular weekend work including up to two weekends per month
44. Three and six month review checkpoints for mutual fit and performance
45. Fully onsite role at our centre in the Burren
46. Salary range €42,000 to €45,000 depending on experience
Benefits
47. Staff discounts and friends and family rates for all Common Knowledge events
48. Breakfast and lunch provided while courses and events are running during your shift
49. Opportunity to join the Member's Council after one year of continuous employment
50. Employee Assistance Programme
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive social enterprise. We encourage applications from groups underrepresented in society including those disadvantaged by gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, sex, marital status, family status, socioeconomic background, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership of Traveller or other minority ethnic groups.
If you have read this far
You might be the right person. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we would love to hear from you.
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