Yard Manager/Equestrian Centre Manager Salary

[dorsetladette]

Just seen a Equestrian Centre Manager role advertised by a big college come events centre and I'm really shocked by the salary being offered.

£25,356.56 (very specific) - 37hrs a week

Looking for someone with BHSAI level 3 and experience running a busy BHS approved training centre. Recent experience of developing commercial income desirable. Ability to lead an experienced team.

Round here an admin role would get you about the same, with little to know responsibility.

 

[Polos Mum]

Supply and demand, if they have no candidates they will have to change the job spec until it becomes attractive (more money or less hours )

If people want to work in the equine industry for "the love of it" or do this job for a few years as part of a plan to go on and do something else then the centre will get applicants.

I know other industries where they pay 50% of the usual salary because of the kudos of the sport they are in - even for the same day to day job - just having XYZ club on your CV is worth working for materially less money to some people. I wouldn't, but clearly people do.

An Aldi store manager earns £48-63k outside of London (where it's more) - have a look on their website. Clearly that is what they have to pay to get people to do that role - seems a lot to me but they wouldn't be giving away cash if they didn't need to.

 

[Cortez]

An Aldi store manager gets paid more than an equestrian centre manager because a supermarket is a more profitable business than an equestrian centre, and the job is more complicated.

 

[Polos Mum]

An Aldi store manager gets paid more than an equestrian centre manager because a supermarket is a more profitable business than an equestrian centre, and the job is more complicated.

Definitely agree the shops are more profitable.

In my view, running a busy livery and show centre dealing with owners, competition entrants, developing new income streams - as well as managing staff is not 1/3 of the complexity of running a supermarket (which would have lots of very clear and strict processes and procedure's to follow).
People will do it for the love of it - not just the money

 

[Gamebird]

An Aldi store manager gets paid more than an equestrian centre manager because a supermarket is a more profitable business than an equestrian centre, and the job is more complicated.

They also get paid more than most vets!!

 

[ycbm]

An Aldi store manager gets paid more than an equestrian centre manager because a supermarket is a more profitable business than an equestrian centre, and the job is more complicated.

I trained in retail management to Department Manager level and I'm pretty sure that it's much more difficult to run an equestrian centre.

In chains like Aldi, instructions are sent out as to exactly how stores should be run, what to display where and when, etc. It's how they make them all the same from one town to the next. It was actually soul destroying because aside from the day to day staffing issues all the real decisions are made at national level.

I'm completely shocked by that salary.
.

 

[ArklePig]

I think industries that people work in for the love of it often suffer from very poor wages.

Just as a little tangent, that opinion is based on salaries I see for equine related jobs and also my own work place which is a charity. Obviously we are not profitable so don't have the discretion private practice has, and rely on our funders for our salaries, but we wouldn't be able to keep staff if it weren't for the deep commitment to the cause of some of my colleagues. The only other person in my department would easily get 10-15k more in a private firm.

I've noticed dog related jobs seem to be similar as well, it never ceases to shock me when people complain about the cost of dog minding/walking etc while I'm left scratching my head as to how they make any money.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Did you see the assistant director role at Burghly (or it might have been Badminton) last year which was around £45k.

The skills they asked for cost a little more in the public sector and a lot more in the private sector.

 

[Cortez]

I trained in retail management to Department Manager level and I'm pretty sure that it's much more difficult to run an equestrian centre.

In chains like Aldi, instructions are sent out as to exactly how stores should be run, what to display where and when, etc. It's how they make them all the same from one town to the next. It was actually soul destroying because aside from the day to day staffing issues all the real decisions are made at national level.

I'm completely shocked by that salary.
.

I've run a large equestrian centre, my late OH managed a large store and did indeed have a template that set out exactly what/how to do everything. However the intricacies of arranging staff hours/tea breaks/holidays, etc. and the stock taking, ordering, turnover reporting, etc., etc. was far, far more complicated and time consuming than the remembering to order more shavings and schedule the farrier-level stuff that running an equestrian business entails. The skill sets are obviously very different, but he could have done my job more easily than I could have done his (and of course I'd have rather stuck pins in my eyes, but that's rather the point).

 

[Chuffy99]

Is this the job in Essex as we read what they expect from candidates and what the remuneration was - not enough to send your child to the attached school for sure

 

[dorsetladette]

Is this the job in Essex as we read what they expect from candidates and what the remuneration was - not enough to send your child to the attached school for sure

This is a college come events centre in Devon. You'd be classed as 'support staff' but I'd assume you'd be doing some training/teaching if they are requesting AI qualifications.

 

[ycbm]

I've run a large equestrian centre, my late OH managed a large store and did indeed have a template that set out exactly what/how to do everything. However the intricacies of arranging staff hours/tea breaks/holidays, etc. and the stock taking, ordering, turnover reporting, etc., etc. was far, far more complicated and time consuming than the remembering to order more shavings and schedule the farrier-level stuff that running an equestrian business entails. The skill sets are obviously very different, but he could have done my job more easily than I could have done his (and of course I'd have rather stuck pins in my eyes, but that's rather the point).

The stock management, reordering, delivery, a lot of the accounting etc is all done from the scanning at the tills these days. There are no stock rooms in supermarkets any more, deliveries go straight to the shelf within a day. I haven't seen a retailer "take stock", as in stop selling and count what's in the store, in a very long time. I ran a food section and didn't find anything difficult about rostering staff, and those were the days before software was available to manage it.

If stock doesn't arrive it doesn't go on the shelf and it doesn't sell. If the farrier doesn't turn up to shoe you could be lacking enough horses to run exams. If supermarket staff don’t turn up the tills don't get staffed and customers just have to queue. If staff in the stables don't turn up the early morning feeds might be missed and other people will have to cover the mucking out. That job description is calling for experience of developing commercial income. For Aldi all marketing is central and developing additional income streams is nothing to do with the store manager.

I have heard that one reason Aldi pay big salaries to store managers is that they demand very long hours, which is fair enough.

The salary is derisory on that job advert, imo.

 

[Pedantic]

Pay peanuts get monkeys

 

[toppedoff]

I think the college near me pays around the same for the yard manager at the college I think. I know the grooms and animal techs get paid 18k-20k I believe (?)

 

[teapot]

This is a college come events centre in Devon. You'd be classed as 'support staff' but I'd assume you'd be doing some training/teaching if they are requesting AI qualifications.

Sadly caught under the higher/further education salary lists then as I know where you mean.

Private centres could potentially pay more, though I know the ex yard manager of a very well known centre/venue in the South, who was actually earning under minimum wage for the hours they were working. The centre worked on the basis providing on site accommodation balanced it out. Interestingly since Covid their turnover of staff has been treble what it was before so, and I wonder whether that despite what the venue offers, people have realised they can earn far more elsewhere.

 

[poacher82]

Did you see the assistant director role at Burghly (or it might have been Badminton) last year which was around £45k.

The skills they asked for cost a little more in the public sector and a lot more in the private sector.

It was Badminton, a few months ago. Curious to know who got the gig, because they'll have had to wade through 100s of CVs - if you ignore the skills required and just look at the salary and the fact it's horsey, the world and it's brother will have applied!

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Considering that when you shop, everything labelled as equestrian is usually a little more expensive. It seems that doesn't extend to employment.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Posted in error sorry

 

[dorsetladette]

I can't say too much as I work at the College in question which is in South West England.

Agree the salary offered is frankly shocking, nay derisory, especially considering the responsibility expected.

Our CEO (on £60K a year) came up to the college a few years back to share his "wisdom" with us at a training event. Gave out his email. Mr Nice Guy. Get in touch with me about ANYTHING he said. I'm here to listen. Talk to me like you'd talk to Jesus. So I took him seriously and did. Told him essentially that if you pay peanuts you get monkeys and said that our salaries were frankly insulting considering what people are getting outside. Didn't go down well. Like a lead brick in fact. I was called in to see the College Head of Campus!! Just like being back at school! Plus got an email from the Big Man saying basically it wasn't anything to do with him and I'd have to take it up with "the relevant authorities". One day I'll learn to keep my big trap shut........ but probably not anytime soon!

That's also a pretty crappie CEO salary.

I guess until people stop accepting these low incomes for whatever reason they'll Continue to be able to pay them.

I thought about getting into the horse world employment wise a few years ago after being made redundant, but it was January and while doing my own ponies in the snow my toes went numb so I changed my mind and went back to office work. Shallow I know, but if that is the salary I could expect I'm glad I made that choice.

 

[SilverLinings]

I can't say too much as I work at the College in question which is in South West England.

Agree the salary offered is frankly shocking, nay derisory, especially considering the responsibility expected.

Our CEO (on £60K a year) came up to the college a few years back to share his "wisdom" with us at a training event. Gave out his email. Mr Nice Guy. Get in touch with me about ANYTHING he said. I'm here to listen. Talk to me like you'd talk to Jesus. So I took him seriously and did. Told him essentially that if you pay peanuts you get monkeys and said that our salaries were frankly insulting considering what people are getting outside. Didn't go down well. Like a lead brick in fact. I was called in to see the College Head of Campus!! Just like being back at school! Plus got an email from the Big Man saying basically it wasn't anything to do with him and I'd have to take it up with "the relevant authorities". One day I'll learn to keep my big trap shut........ but probably not anytime soon!

I'm 99% sure I know which college it is, and I'm shocked the salaries are still so poor. I knew (well) two of the Equine Dept managers there >25 years ago, one left as she worked out she could earn more as a childminder and freelance RI, and the second one left because she got a better paid job driving lorries for the local sawmills (and as a result a few other local RIs changed jobs to do the same).

Presuming the advertised post is year round then that is just over £13 per hour before tax and pension deductions. Looking at job vacancies at the local hospital (the RD&E, about 30-40mins drive from the college) the pay offered for the college job is roughly the same as that being paid to staff in roles requiring no previous qualifications including Healthcare Assistants, Admin Assistants, and assistant groundskeepers. Cleaners and porters are paid less, but not much less as the NMW and NLW aren't far below!

Good on you @MiJodsR2BlinkinTite for questioning your boss about the pay, it was poor of him to fob you off by saying it wasn't to do with him as I expect he has a fairly big say in salary discussions and decisions. The college won't improve, grow or generate more income if they don't employ well-motivated staff, and pay enough to attract the best for the role.

 

[Jinx94]

I was a trainee YM at a fairly well known competition yard and when I took the job was offered 19k, seemed like a good idea at the time. I was 25.

Eventually managed to get the pay bumped up but still was on not much more than apprentice money for the hours, plus paying rent (on site), plus the usual horsey minimal time off etc.

If I had fitted in better, I'd probably have stayed, but it totally broke me and I'm now well out of the industry. Not convinced I'd even go back to clipping/freelancing. Love the concept but the reality puts me off.

 

[Millie-Rose]

I saw this advertised and was shocked at the salary. I work in a similar role for a charity and get significantly more than that, our pay was benchmarked last year against similar roles in all sectors. I've also been a manager for Aldi, I was assistant manager and earned c30k in 2007. I would say both roles similar in terms of difficulty/responsibility. Main difference in retail is the public health aspect. E.g if you are running the store and there is out of date meat on sale which someone subsequently buys and then becomes ill, or alcohol is sold to minors you are in trouble as well as the company. Aldi store managers work 48 hours a week anything over that you get back as lieu. They pay well because they want to attract good people and keep them. You are expected to work hard but are treated very fairly in return. I went as a store assistant for a stop gap job and stayed 7 years!

 

[View]

The whole industry needs to wake up and realise that salaries need to be sufficient to attract and retain committed, conscientious, good quality employees.

Why do that job for that little when you could be in an office or working from home for a respected car dealer group answering phone calls and booking in cars for service work for more money and far less responsibility?

How many times on here have the majority of us said don’t work with horses for a living?

 

[Arzada]

Are we not allowed to name the College? Just looked at their salaries for some current vacancies. In order of salary pa.

Equestrian Centre Manager: Salary: Up to £25,356.56 (depending on experience and qualifications) Hours per week: 37 – Weeks per year: 52

Cleaner Salary: Full Time Equivalent £24,556.94 pa (Actual pro rata salary: £19,911.03 - £12.76 per hour) for 0.8 role – Hours per week: 30 – Weeks per year: 52

Learning Support Practitioner Salary: £21,373.95 pa (Actual pro rata salary: £11,997.85 plus holiday payment of £1,753.53, 12.73 per hour) – Hours per week: 30 – Weeks per year: 36 (Term Time)

 

[dorsetladette]

Are we not allowed to name the College? Just looked at their salaries for some current vacancies. In order of salary pa.

Equestrian Centre Manager: Salary: Up to £25,356.56 (depending on experience and qualifications) Hours per week: 37 – Weeks per year: 52

Cleaner Salary: Full Time Equivalent £24,556.94 pa (Actual pro rata salary: £19,911.03 - £12.76 per hour) for 0.8 role – Hours per week: 30 – Weeks per year: 52

Learning Support Practitioner Salary: £21,373.95 pa (Actual pro rata salary: £11,997.85 plus holiday payment of £1,753.53, 12.73 per hour) – Hours per week: 30 – Weeks per year: 36 (Term Time)

I didn't want to name the college - I think from the descriptions it's fairly obvious now.

It's shocking that you can earn the same as a full time cleaner!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm 99% sure I know which college it is, and I'm shocked the salaries are still so poor. I knew (well) two of the Equine Dept managers there >25 years ago, one left as she worked out she could earn more as a childminder and freelance RI, and the second one left because she got a better paid job driving lorries for the local sawmills (and as a result a few other local RIs changed jobs to do the same).

Presuming the advertised post is year round then that is just over £13 per hour before tax and pension deductions. Looking at job vacancies at the local hospital (the RD&E, about 30-40mins drive from the college) the pay offered for the college job is roughly the same as that being paid to staff in roles requiring no previous qualifications including Healthcare Assistants, Admin Assistants, and assistant groundskeepers. Cleaners and porters are paid less, but not much less as the NMW and NLW aren't far below!

Good on you @MiJodsR2BlinkinTite for questioning your boss about the pay, it was poor of him to fob you off by saying it wasn't to do with him as I expect he has a fairly big say in salary discussions and decisions. The college won't improve, grow or generate more income if they don't employ well-motivated staff, and pay enough to attract the best for the role.

Thank you "SilverLinings".

 

[Barton Bounty]

I didn't want to name the college - I think from the descriptions it's fairly obvious now.

It's shocking that you can earn the same as a full time cleaner!

Think id rather be the cleaner! Less responsibility

 

[FlyingCircus]

Thank you "SilverLinings". I note that someone above has posted the salary for a Learning Support Practitioner from the Sits Vac taken from the college website. This is what I do. It is a lovely place to work and there is a great team, but sadly the salaries are derisory, which is why there are always vacancies.

I cannot and must not say any more........... for the location of the "college" there are plenty of clues already is all I will say.

In your position, I'd consider if you'd like the posts you've already posted on a public forum linking your negative opinion of your employer to them and you to stay...It wouldn't be difficult to find this thread from Google and then anyone who knows the staff there will presumably very easily be able to work out who you are.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

In your position, I'd consider if you'd like the posts you've already posted on a public forum linking your negative opinion of your employer to them and you to stay...It wouldn't be difficult to find this thread from Google and then anyone who knows the staff there will presumably very easily be able to work out who you are.

People on here have already quoted me so nowt I can do! Unless they'd like to take down their responses.