Estate Manager

Herm Island, Guernsey. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and versatile Estate Manager to join our Island Estate team on a permanent basis. 

Herm is a small, beautiful island with a resident population of around 50 people; a community that doubles in size over the summer months and welcomes up to 1,000 guests each day.  The Island has one hotel with restaurants and bars, a lively pub, a gift shop, 19 holiday cottages, two beach cafes and two campsites.Life and work on a small and occasionally isolated island demands flexibility, a positive attitude and a strong team ethic. 

 But this environment also offers something truly special; the chance to live and work in a welcoming, supportive community, where every individual plays a meaningful part in island life. For the right candidate, the experience is deeply rewarding and genuinely one of a kind.

 The Role

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring the entire Island Estate is kept to the highest standards.
• Leading a team of 6 full-time estate workers and 4 - 5 seasonal workers during May – September.
• Overseeing the portering of the island’s luggage.
• Managing the island’s campsite team.
• Delegating and scheduling estate work.
• Working closely with the Island Maintenance Team.
• Ensuring all waste and recycling operations meet compliance obligations.
• Assisting with management of any livestock on the island.
• Collaborating with the Island Skipper to ensure smooth cargo operations.
• Managing all Health & Safety and estate-related compliance requirements, including machine checks and audits, reporting to the Technical Services Manager.
• Ensuring all staff have adequate and documented training.
• Ensuring all tasks are completed within required timeframes.

Service Team

Our full-time Service Team is a collaborative, community-driven group consisting of: 

• one Services Manager
• one hands-on Island Engineer
• three Assistant Engineers
• an Estate Manager
• four Estate Workers (two of whom also skipper the island’s cargo boat)
• a Waste & Recycling Operative
• a Gardener

This team expands seasonally with 2 Campsite Assistants and 2 – 3 Porters.
Teamwork and neighbourly support form the backbone of our island operations 

Remuneration Package & Key Benefits
This is a rewarding and dynamic position set in a healthy, stunning environment and within a warm, supportive community. Compared to UK living expenses, this package offers excellent value, along with the priceless benefit of becoming part of a unique island community.

• Competitive salary
• Flat 20% Income Tax rate over personal allowance
• Rent free with low-cost utilities
• No council tax or rates
• Safe environment for children to play outdoors
• Fantastic low pupil to staff ratio in the Herm school (ages 4 – 11)
• Free ferry travel between Herm and Guernsey
• 20 days paid holiday (pro rata) increasing with length of Service, plus Guernsey statutory Bank Holidays
• Staff discounts on-island in all cafes, bars, restaurants and gift shop through the Herm Loyalty scheme
• Preferential self-catering accommodation rates for friends and family outside of High Season and school holidays
• Stunning beaches with exceptional sea swimming / kayaking / SUP opportunities 
• On the job training 
• Quad bike for work use (full driving licence required)
• No need for a car
• 50% contribution to relocation costs
• Incredible work/life balance

Maintenance Policy

The island’s infrastructure and facilities such as the Hotel, Holiday Cottages, Campsites and utilities are consistently maintained and refurbished to a high standard.  

Preventative maintenance and careful winter planning ensure a smooth summer season and an island that looks its best year-round.  

Every member of the team contributes to this shared responsibility.

Island Life

Herm’s outdoor lifestyle is one of its greatest attractions. Residents enjoy stunning beaches, scenic walks, swimming after work in summer, fishing, kayaking, and a variety of other outdoor activities. 

 Guernsey is just a 20-minute ferry ride away with 6 – 8 sailings per day during the summer and two daily sailings most days in winter.  

Visiting family can stay in self-catering units at preferential rates outside of High Season and School Holidays.  

Due to the unique nature and remote location of Herm, a number of island residents volunteer to carry out some emergency services roles. As such there will also be the opportunities to train as a Community First Responder, Retained Firefighter or Special Constable, with full training provided by the relevant Guernsey authorities.

Family & Schooling

For applicants with young families, Herm offers an exceptional primary education through the island school (Vauvert School, States of Guernsey Education Authority), currently with two pupils and two teachers. The island provides a safe, outdoor environment ideal for children to thrive. One day per week children at Herm school are taken to Vauvert School in Guernsey for classes, giving them further opportunities to make friends and experience education in a different setting in preparation for senior school from age 11 onwards. 

Having children is not essential for applications to be considered, but embracing community life is. Couples and families who enjoy contributing to and participating in a small, friendly community will settle in well.

Housing

We provide unfurnished but centrally heated accommodation, with residents responsible only for utilities (heating, electricity, gas) and broadband at a nominal charge. Utility costs are considerably lower than in the UK.

Application

Because community is at the heart of Herm life, we consider the selection of staff one of the most important aspects of the island’s continued success.  

We are looking not only for someone with the right skills, but someone who will integrate well with our small but vibrant community and who will appreciate the unique lifestyle the island offers.  

We kindly ask applicants to include a letter with family details and background information to help us determine suitability for life and work within our close island community. 

Cover letter and CV to recruitment@herm.com

Want more information about Herm : https://herm.com/

Want to know more about life as a resident on Herm? Please email recruitment@herm.com