Chief Executive Officer - Schackenborg Fonden

Leadership, business development and hospitality at a place with a special history and significance

Schackenborg is something special. A historic place with deep roots in Southern Jutland and the border region, but also a living destination where gastronomy, accommodation, private events, conferences, culture and history come together.

As Chief Executive Officer of Schackenborg Fonden, you will be responsible for carrying forward and developing Schackenborg with respect for the place's history, character and values.

You are taking over an organisation that has undergone a positive development in recent years. Operations have been strengthened, the guest experience has been markedly enhanced, and Schackenborg has established a clearer position as a destination - not least in gastronomy.

A strong foundation has thus been created, but Schackenborg still holds considerable potential. Your task will be to build on what has been achieved and to realise this potential through clear priorities and continued commercial development.

The role

As Chief Executive Officer, you report to the Board and have overall management and business responsibility for Schackenborg Fonden.

You will set direction and ensure that strategy is translated into action and results. This requires a chief executive who can both maintain the strategic overview and engage in day-to-day operations. The role spans finance, management and business development to sales, hospitality and the continued development of the overall guest experience.

A central task will be to strengthen Schackenborg's financial and commercial foundation and create the basis for realising the foundation's long-term ambitions.

You will take an active part in the sales effort, develop relationships with existing and new customers, and work with the organisation to create growth within accommodation, gastronomy, conferences, private events and events, among other areas.

At the same time, you will play an important role in realising the foundation's strategic ambitions through new activities, development projects and partnerships that strengthen Schackenborg's position as a destination and contribute to a long-term sustainable financial foundation.

You will also ensure that Schackenborg's cultural-historical significance and distinctive identity remain an active part of the development and presentation of the place.

The organisation consists of approximately 25 employees, five of whom report directly to the chief executive.

As Chief Executive Officer, you are responsible, among other things, for:

• ensuring professional, efficient and financially sustainable operations

• strengthening commercial development through sales, customer development and new business opportunities

• translating the foundation's strategic ambitions into concrete initiatives, development projects and partnerships

• further developing the guest experience and Schackenborg's position as a destination

• setting direction for the organisation and creating the framework for strong leadership, accountability and professional expertise

• developing relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring a close and professional working relationship with the Board.

The role combines the long-term and the very concrete. You must be able to make strategic decisions while also wanting to be close to the daily business, the employees and the guests.

Your profile

We are looking for an experienced leader with a solid background from the hotel, restaurant or experience industry and a strong understanding of the interplay between operations, sales, hospitality and guest experiences.

You have solid management experience and are used to achieving results through others. You set a clear direction while also giving competent managers and specialists room and responsibility. You are visible and accessible in the organisation and thrive on being close to both people and operations.

Commercially, you are strong. You understand the economics behind a service and experience business and take natural responsibility for budgets, profitability and continuous improvement. You also have a commercial mindset and documented experience in sales, customer development and business development.

You may come from different professional backgrounds. What matters is that you understand how strong guest experiences, professional operations and commercial development together create an attractive and financially sustainable business.

The role requires you to create results at the intersection of business, cultural heritage and a complex stakeholder landscape.

We also place emphasis on your:

• relevant experience with events, conferences and private functions

• ability to see opportunities and turn them into action and business results

• combination of an eye for quality and detail with a strong overall perspective

• ability to thrive in the balance between strategy, leadership and operational involvement

• ability to build strong relationships and open doors to new collaborations and business opportunities

• confident, credible communication with a natural sense of situations.

Leadership and hospitality

Schackenborg places particular demands on its chief executive.

You must have a sincere interest in the place and understand the importance of managing and developing an institution with a strong history and a special position. Schackenborg is a cultural-historical destination of significance for both the local area and the Danish-German border region.

As chief executive, you will therefore also be a natural ambassador for Schackenborg. You move as naturally among employees and guests as among partners, business contacts, royalty and other prominent guests. You represent Schackenborg with dignity, situational awareness and discretion.

Your leadership is clear and present. You involve others when it makes sense, make decisions when required, and create a culture in which employees and managers take responsibility for both the whole and the guest experience.

You understand the particular rhythm of the service industry and see it as a natural part of the role to be present when events, guests and special occasions require it.

A special opportunity

Schackenborg represents more than 350 years of history and has a special cultural-historical significance in the Danish-German border region.

You will have the opportunity to lead the further development of a destination where historic settings, strong guest experiences and commercial ambitions go hand in hand.

You are taking over an organisation with skilled and dedicated employees, strengthened operations and a positive development in quality, gastronomy and hospitality. At the same time, Schackenborg Fonden rests on a strong and long-term commitment to preserving and developing the place with respect for its history, values and special significance.

A good starting point has been created for further development, but a substantial task remains in strengthening the financial foundation and realising the foundation's long-term ambitions.

You will thus have the opportunity both to develop Schackenborg's commercial activities, strengthen the place's position as a destination and help preserve and convey an important part of Danish cultural heritage.

This is a chief executive role with an unusual span between business and culture, history and development, leadership and hospitality - and an opportunity to leave a personal and professional mark on a place that means a great deal to many.

Schackenborg Palace has been owned and operated by Schackenborg Fonden since 2014. The foundation was established with the aim of preserving and developing Schackenborg with respect for the place's cultural heritage and history.

Today, Schackenborg includes, among other things, the palace, the historic buildings and activities within gastronomy, accommodation, private events and events.

Read more at www.schackenborg.dk

Application

Schackenborg Fonden is working with GML A/S on the recruitment. You are welcome to contact Partner at GML Søren Laigaard-Andersen on telephone 20 74 44 92 to hear more about the position. All enquiries are handled confidentially.