Funeral Director

 Principal Funeral Director

Location: Argent Funeral Care & De Gruchy’s Funeral, Guernsey
Reports to: Head of Care / Senior Funeral Operations Manager
Direct Reports: Funeral Location Colleagues
Contract: Full-Time
Salary: £54,000–£75,000 (DOE)
Relocation: Full relocation package, including long-term right-to-work in Guernsey

About the Role

Funeral Recruitment Ltd are proud to be supporting the Channel Islands Co-op in recruiting an exceptional Principal Funeral Director for Argent Funeral Care and De Gruchy’s Funeral.

This is a rare senior leadership opportunity within a small but highly respected team, responsible for:

• Immaculate funeral service standards

• Strong operational and regulatory oversight

• Providing compassionate leadership

• Managing the day-to-day running of two established funeral homes

The successful candidate will have extensive funeral service experience, broad knowledge of regulatory requirements, excellent communication skills, and proven ability to lead and develop a team.

Role Purpose

• Ensure the delivery of dignified, professional and seamless funeral services.

• Maintain the highest operational, regulatory and presentation standards.

• Manage the business with commercial awareness, careful cost control and efficient processes.

• Support and uphold the Society’s values while strengthening community trust and relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Funeral Operations

• Supervise, arrange and conduct funerals to the highest standard of professionalism.

• Coordinate bringing the deceased into care, ensuring timely, respectful preparation.

• Ensure the secure and timely delivery of statutory documentation to crematoria and cemeteries, strictly following data protection requirements.

• Maintain immaculate presentation of self, colleagues, vehicles, equipment and premises.

• Assist with coffin preparation, deceased presentation and visiting arrangements.

• Maintain precise clerical records and documentation for all activities.

• Adhere to all vehicle policies, ensuring daily maintenance and cleanliness.

Client Care

• Provide empathetic and sensitive support to clients, ensuring their wishes are fully understood and met.

• Offer the full range of products and services with clear, compassionate communication.

• Demonstrate awareness of local customs, faith practices and cultural needs.

• Resolve client concerns professionally and promptly.

• Maintain confidentiality, ensuring all sensitive information is handled appropriately.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage, lead and motivate funeral service colleagues across both locations.

• Recruit, train, coach and mentor staff, supporting their continuous development.

• Support the Senior Funeral Operations Manager with reporting, staffing and operational updates.

• Organise rotas and day-to-day workload to ensure smooth operations and prioritisation of tasks.

• Uphold high standards of conduct, professionalism and teamwork.

Operational, Regulatory & Commercial Responsibilities

• Monitor and control operational costs, stock levels and expenditure.

• Ensure compliance with all statutory legislation, policies, SOPs and industry regulations.

• Maintain all Health & Safety, essential training, manual handling and first-aid requirements.

• Follow correct cash handling procedures including disbursements, donations and client payments.

• Support pricing reviews and commercial decision-making.

• Provide operational reports and business updates when required.

• Ensure ashes are managed, stored and released appropriately and within required timelines.

Community & External Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external agencies, authorities and community groups.

• Promote the profile and reputation of the funeral service within the local community.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience Required

Essential

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the funeral profession, ideally at supervisory or managerial level.

• Strong knowledge of funeral operations, procedures and regulatory requirements.

• Funeral Director Diploma (preferred).

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to support families sensitively.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Awareness of data protection, statutory legislation and standard operating procedures.

• Ability to work independently, prioritise workload and manage complex operational demands.

• Competent with Microsoft Office and other relevant software.

• High standards of personal appearance, conduct and professionalism.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrated alignment with the Society’s values and community ethos.

Desirable

• Experience working within the Channel Islands funeral sector.

• Proven track record of commercial decision-making and cost control.

• Experience presenting operational or business performance reports.