People Operations Manager (Manchester)

Job Description for People Operations Manager (Manchester) – 6 month FTC

Company Overview:

We are most famous for our award-winning event, buried deep in the Crown Estate near Ascot. 18 years ago, Mike & Alison Battle created the event out of their own desire to take their children somewhere that would celebrate the pure, commercially unsullied, magic of Christmas. Now, with the help of Hollywood set-designers, West-End actors and more than a sprinkling of magic, the event is keeping the magic of Christmas alive for thousands of children every year.

LaplandUK celebrates and honours the values, imagination, and wonderment of childhood through our magical world, rich storytelling and immersive memory making experiences.

This is an exciting period of growth for us, as we look for new ways to bring the Lapland experience to a global audience through media, publishing, live shows, and eCommerce channels.

Role Summary:

The People Operations Manager (Manchester) is responsible for the seasonal workforce for the Manchester live show, covering all departments and leading the pre-event work on recruitment & training, moving into on-site management & delivery. Managing a team of departmental schedulers & administrators, as well as working closely with operational managers once live.

Driving the recruitment strategy for the event season, working closely with the resourcing team, and ensuring a seamless recruitment process and hitting target numbers on a weekly basis.

Organising assessment centres / audition sessions, collaborating with the resourcing team and show operations team to achieve targets and KPIs.

TALENT ACQUISITION & RECRUITMENT

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for the seasonal workforce, from processing candidates to conducting interviews and making offers.
• Sift & schedule interviews for key management positions in conjunction with Heads of departments.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and ensure timely fulfilment of positions.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT & RETENTION:

• Design and implement programs to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Conduct regular surveys and feedback sessions to gauge employee morale and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop and implement retention strategies to minimise turnover and foster a culture of loyalty and commitment.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT:

• Implement performance management systems and processes to evaluate employee performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and support to managers on performance-related issues, including goal setting, feedback, and performance reviews.
• Identify opportunities for professional development and training to help employees reach their full potential.

HR POLICIES & COMPLIANCE:

• Maintain HR policies and procedures in compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices.
• Ensure adherence to labour laws and regulations, including but not limited to employment contracts, wage and hour laws, and workplace safety standards.
• Serve as a resource for employees on HR-related matters and provide guidance on policy interpretation and compliance.

DURING THE LIVE SHOW PERIOD:

• Address queries, escalating as needed to the Head of People Operations.
• Ensure HR policies are applied and supervise the event HR team for compliance.
• Act as the first point of escalation for HR or other departmental managers, working with HR Advisors where extra support or guidance is needed.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• General understanding of common HR rules & requirements relating to temporary workers
• Previous experience working in a People Operations or Workforce role within events, theatre or visitor attraction environment.
• Comfortable with being first point of contact for employees in person and online, often handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Windows & Microsoft applications, as well as comfortable using various staffing & scheduling systems.
• Experience in payroll, scheduling, and management of teams.
• Experience in drafting and reporting, analysing documents and managing suppliers/contractors.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

MANCHESTER KEY DATES

* Rehearsals & Departmental Training: 23rd October – 6th November

* Dress Rehearsal: 7th & 8th November 2025

* Preview: 9th November 2025

* Opening Day of show: 13th November 2025

* Closing Day of show: 24th December 2025

Start of Contract: 7th July 2025

End of Contract: 9th January 2026

Rate of Pay: £200 Per day

Depending on location: £50 subsidy per working day or accommodation provided

BENEFITS

* Free hot meal per shift

* Free transport from the local train station

* Unlimited tea & coffee

* 20% Staff discount on selected dates