Dorchester Collection Assistant Equestrian Manager

About Dorchester Collection

Dorchester Collection operates hotels including The Dorchester in London, Hôtel Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice in Paris, and The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles County. Its properties hire across rooms, restaurants, kitchens, engineering and guest services.

Role & Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the equestrian department and team to provide high standards of horse care and presentation, alongside exceptional client service.
• Help establish the equestrian operation as a leading name in the hotel and equine industries, building guest loyalty and repeat bookings.
• Manage horses’ daily routines, feeding and exercise to keep them fit and well schooled for safe guest riding.
• Manage horses’ shoeing, worming, saddlery, dentistry and veterinary requirements.
• Complete daily stable duties, including feeding, haying, mucking out, turning out, grooming and bandaging; keep the stable, horses and equipment immaculate.
• Handle enquiries, bookings and requests from internal and external guests promptly and appropriately.
• Fit guests with safety equipment before rides and keep equipment clean, organised and compliant with best-practice guidance, replacing items when worn or unsafe.
• Teach hotel guests and local clients to ride ponies and horses, applying knowledge, enthusiasm and consistent attention to safety.
• Manage daily horse allocations for lessons, prioritising horse welfare and guest safety.
• Inspire team members and supervisors to build a high-performing team and achieve business goals and service standards.
• Mentor, train and coach team members.
• Manage shift coverage, workload and resource distribution within and across teams.
• Interview, hire, induct and support succession planning for staff.
• Identify departmental training needs, design training and track its delivery.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance.
• Assist the Equestrian Manager with contacting guests to book and reconfirm rides.
• Help manage individual horse and pony files, keeping them regularly updated.
• Manage the yard’s daily operations and assign tasks to team members.
• Assist the Equestrian Manager with orders and farrier and veterinary bookings.
• Help source horses and ponies for loan, lease or purchase as business levels require and within budget allowances.
• Comply with statutory and company health and safety, fire, bomb and security regulations.
• Keep required job certificates up to date, including First Aid, Child Protection and CRB checks.
• Review and update departmental risk assessments, including monthly area assessment forms.
• Check tack and equipment weekly for faults and take action where necessary.
• Review standard operating procedures and facilitate ongoing team training as needed.
• Ensure guests complete disclaimers before riding.
• Ensure accident report forms are completed accurately, signed by the casualty and submitted to Security promptly.

Qualifications

• BHS examinations (BHS AI or II).
• BHS Stage 2 coach.
• First Aid.
• Ability to ride and teach, including beginners.
• General yard work.
• Stable management.
• Customer service.
• Previous hotel experience.
• Positive attitude.
• Computer literate.
• Good communication skills.
• Commitment to the hotel ethos.

Skills

Experience

Previous hotel experience.

Benefits

Complimentary nights with breakfast within Dorchester Collection; 50% food and beverage discount at selected restaurants; employee introduction scheme; team member awards and incentive schemes; contributory pension scheme entitlement from commencement; complimentary uniform laundering; complimentary meals on duty at team members’ restaurants.

Culture

Each hotel has its own kitchens, service teams and history. In Paris, for example, a sommelier at Le Relais Plaza works at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, while the pastry team at Le Meurice prepares work for a different house.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.