This is a chance of a lifetime to manage the delivery of the new 6.5-million-pound project to redevelop the Visitor Centre at the world-famous Calanais Standing Stones. The project is a key part of the recently signed Islands Growth Deal.

This post will deliver an ambitious legacy to the community and ensure the most popular visitor attraction in the Outer Hebrides continues to deliver a world class experience alongside a significant and sustainable contribution to the economy of the Outer Hebrides.

Operating under the direction of the Board, the role is to manage all aspects of the development and delivery of the Calanais 2025 Project culminating in the construction, commissioning and handover of the newly developed Centre on time and on budget.

• 30 month contract, with review at 12 months
• Full-time, hybrid role based at the Calanais Visitor Centre
• Salary up to £40k, plus pension
• Closing date: 23 March 2023
• Please send your CV and cover letter to Ian Fordham – ian@calanais.org
• If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role, please email Ian Fordham – ian@calanais.org
• Scottish Charity No: SC022843

Role Details:

Project Delivery

• Co-ordinate the finalisation of design/specification and delivery of the 2025 project in conjunction with the design team and Construction team.
• Define, safeguard and monitor funding requirements of project.
• Co-ordinate the procurement and deployment of specialist resource as and when needed by the project.
• Be the main point of contact on behalf of the Board for the Construction Project Manager and attend board meetings as appropriate.

Skills and Experiences

• Experience of major project management within construction/building/rejuvenation projects.
• A high degree of confidence in influencing / negotiating with personnel at all levels (both internal and external to the organisation).
• Substantial experience of collaboration with public sector organisations.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Excellent level of written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent command of the English language and highly numerate.
• Track record in delivering / presenting Board papers which meet the required standards by clearly communicating progress against deliverables / Board objectives and KPIs.
• Proven ability as an effective problem solver working in a fast paced and ever-changing project environment.
• Proven ability to react to changing priorities whilst ensuring all project deliverables are achieved in a timely and safe manner.
• Proven ability to lead/work effectively in multi-functional project teams.
• Excellent planning and organising skills required to ensure the project team can meet project obligations.
• Demonstrable flexibility in approach to working patterns and hours.

About Calanais 2025

The redevelopment of the visitor centre will:

• Re-purpose the existing Visitor Centre into a 5 star interpretation facility, telling the story of the Calanais Standing Stones within the landscape and the wider west coast of Lewis.
• Create a new function suite adjoining the current visitor centre to provide a multipurpose facility for trade / coach visitors, local community events, school visits and other heritage activities.
• Re-develop the existing historic Calanais Farmhouse (adjacent to the Visitor Centre) into a new café and retail facility.
• Re-develop the existing parking facility to maximise the provision of parking for car, motorhome and coach visitors.

The benefits of the 2025 project will be the:

• Enhancement of the offering for visitors at the Centre and the Stones, creating a visitor attraction that is fit for purpose given the anticipated rise in visitor numbers, and which fulfils the Islands-wide need to develop sustainable, joined-up heritage tourism through collaborating with other Island attractions.
• Provision of ticketed, time allotted visits will help to sustainably manage the visitor flow and therefore footfall at the stones.
• Creation of a tourism hub for the west coast of Lewis, dispersing visitors around other assets and attractions in the area, and acting as the base for a range of environmentally-sustainable Calanais Tours.
• Telling the story of the Stones within its wider context, with a narrative that links the area with places as far away as Orkney and Ireland.
• Contribution to education at all levels, through cutting-edge displays, hosting school visits and workshops, and by providing educational resources for the Stones and about Outer Hebrides heritage more generally.
• Creation of a welcoming hub for visitors and the local community alike, with a licensed café / restaurant, shop, and a top-class venue for a vibrant programme of events and activities – particularly for community events during the off-peak season.

Role is funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar