Dunskey Estate | General Manager
Lead a people-first luxury estate known for exceptional guest experiences and an outstanding team culture.
“I have never worked in an organisation where the employers truly push for excellence year upon year, but always working harder than any staff member. Anne and Ali care deeply about investing in the team and create a culture of self-driven excellence that is genuine and inspiring.” – Operations Manager
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:
1. Events: Up to 25 bespoke weddings, retreats, and celebrations each year (May–October), primarily for international clients.
2. 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
Client-Facing Aims: Delivering Outstanding Guest Experiences
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 Monday.com 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 presentation, cleanliness, and maintenance standards
Coordinate scheduling, rotas, and logistical planning
Manage suppliers, procurement, and inventory
Guest Experience
Ensure every event and stay meets Dunskey’s standards
Build strong rapport with clients and host families
Respond to concerns promptly and with professionalism
Conduct regular inspections and quality audits
Finance & Planning
Monitor budgets, costs, and P&L
Analyse occupancy, bookings, and revenue trends
Provide monthly and quarterly performance updates
Support pricing and commercial decision-making
Compliance & Risk
Oversee health & safety, food hygiene and licensing
Maintain up-to-date records and risk assessments
Ensure emergency and incident procedures are understood and followed
Strategy & Improvement
Contribute to long-term planning and new project development
Improve workflows, systems, and processes across the estate
Support sustainability efforts and community relationships
Champion responsible land use and sustainability in line with the long-term stewardship of the estate.
What You’ll Bring
Essential
A high level of discretion and professionalism when working with private clients and high-profile events
5–10 years’ management experience in luxury hospitality
A proven ability to lead, mentor and retain teams
Calm, confident, well-structured leadership
Strong understanding of the highest guest expectations in a luxury setting
Competence with systems, CRM tools and data-informed decision making
Solid financial capability (budgeting, reporting, forecasting)
Strong judgement and communication skills
Highly Valued
Experience with both events and accommodation
Familiarity with Monday.com or similar platforms
Background in destination weddings, retreats, or private estates
Understanding of rural hospitality and remote-team management
Ability to create a stable, engaged, and long-term workforce
Package & Benefits
This role is based on site in rural southwest Scotland and best suits someone, or a couple/family, comfortable with remote living and close involvement in the local community.
On application, dependent on experience
10–20% of basic annual salary performance bonus
28 days holiday plus TOIL for major events
Pension contribution (3–5%)
Accommodation (two or three bed flat/house on site) or housing allowance available
Supportive, balanced working environment
Christmas period off
Stunning place to live and work with significant career progression
Further Information and Application
Application
Please send your CV and covering letter to Katharine Landale, Bold New Recruitment katharine@boldnewrecruitment.co.uk stating why you feel you should be considered for this role. In this answer we would like you to outline the following:
Why Dunskey appeals to you and your interest in rural Scotland
Your relevant operational and team leadership experience
An example of how you have built/enhanced a positive team culture
How you have used data or processes to improve performance
One new idea you would bring to the role
Dunskey Estate is committed to inclusive, respectful employment and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Further Information
· @dunskeyestate
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp6lRmChU8Y
Thank you very much for your interest.