ABOUT US

Westerleigh Group has been building and managing Crematoria for over 30 years and we care for over 70,000 cremations and burials every year. Our first site opened in 1992 in a village called Westerleigh, near to Bristol. We have more than 40 sites across England, Wales and Scotland with plans to continue growing with care.
We have established a reputation for creating beautifully landscaped, high quality and peaceful facilities where families can remember and celebrate the life of their loved ones. Our core objective is to deliver the highest possible standards of care in a way that is uniquely personal.
We play an active part in the local communities that we serve and in 2024 our sites have raised over £400,000 to support local charitable causes and projects.
Our letters to heaven post boxes continue to capture hearts and minds. An inspirational idea from the daughter of one of our colleagues

THE ROLE

Having ownership of a brand new site means a blank canvass where you can make your mark and recruit your own team. You will also spend lot’s of time networking and raising awareness of your new site before it opens to ensure it is set up for success. You will be partnered with a mentor and undertake extensive training at our other local sites with experienced Managers.
Leading one of our sites means a genuine opportunity to make your mark at a local level. Our crematoria provide a crucial service to the local communities that we serve, and it’s a privilege to provide the space for families to reflect and remember their loved ones all year round, not just on the day of a service.
Using your strong leadership skills and commercial acumen in a role where you can add so much value will ensure your site is set up for success. You’ll have full ownership of typical business management activities, from the day-to-day running and operational performance of the site and P&L, the development of your site team - ensuring the culture you shape reflects our values and that our reputation for quality & exceptional care is maintained, to building connections so families and Funeral Directors know who they can count on at a time when they need our expertise.
The services we provide continue to change and adapt to the ever-growing call for more choice when it comes to a final goodbye and no two days will be the same as each family and service are uniquely personal.
Families can hold the funeral of their choice and our Chapel has been designed to cater for people of all beliefs and faiths and for those who have none.
Your ideas and creativity will also help shape the individuality of your site, some of our Crematorium Managers have implemented bee hives, wildflower meadows, animal habitats, regular quiz nights and coffee mornings to name but a few!
When you join us, it’s an opportunity to be a part of something truly meaningful and significant.

ADDITIONAL DETAIL ABOUT THE ROLE:

People

• Lead the site team to deliver best in class service to the bereaved and funeral director partners.
• Lead and manage site team in all aspects of day-to-day activity including monitoring performance in relation to KPI’s and budget, ongoing development, and recruitment.
• Collaborative working and communication with all support functions.
• Role model for our vision, values and leadership behaviours.

Quality

• Deliver the highest standards of quality in compliance and services, ensuring all services adhere to Westerleigh standards, policy and relevant legislation.
• Maintenance and development of cemetery, liaising with grave diggers and grounds teams to ensure burials are carried out to the highest standard (for sites with cemetery)
• Contribute to innovation and improved practice for site and within the wider division.
• Monitor customer feedback.
• Deliver the highest standards of health and safety.

Business

• Responsibility for the commercial performance of your site.
• Drive improvements in volume through active pursuit of new opportunities and building relationships both in and out of normal catchment area.
• Optimise the efficient use of site staff, facilities equipment, supplies, consumables and support services.
• Contribute to annual pricing and budgeting activities and manage the processes for the site.
• Develop and nurture relationships with external stakeholders and customers including Funeral Directors and local community individuals/groups to develop new / additional business and promote the Westerleigh and site brand.
• Support group projects as required.
• Ensure facilities, buildings and grounds are maintained and are fit for purpose.
• Work with Facilities to ensure routine and CAPEX site projects are implemented.
• Promote and support the Westerleigh Group memorial strategy.
• Competency in all aspects of technical expectations regarding crematory & Cemetery (if applicable) operations including the compliance and legal obligations.

Supporting the team with their duties when required:

• Chapel - Welcomingfamilies & Funeral Directors and ensuring things run smoothly.
• Cremation – You’ll be fully trained and work towards an accredited FBCA qualification. Involved in the end to end cremation process and ashes management. You’ll need to be able bodied as there will be manual handling involved in this process.
• Ad hoc work – e.g. a Christmas service or making sure the site is tidy and presentable.

This role requires flexibility and pulling together as one team to support each other and provide the exceptional care and service that we are known for.