At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a diverse team to deliver exceptional guest experiences and ensure safety across leisure operations.
- Company: Join a leading entertainment company known for its fun and engaging environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, Merlin passes, discounts, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and a vibrant workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on guest experiences while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in high-volume environments and relevant safety qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Leisure Operations Manager to lead the delivery of exceptional guest experiences and robust Health & Safety compliance across our leisure operations. Reporting to the Head of Hotel Operations, you will oversee a large and diverse team responsible for the smooth running of all leisure facilities, including rides, amenities, and associated guest experiences. You will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, improving performance, and ensuring that every guest enjoys a seamless, safe, and memorable visit.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership
- Implement and maintain high service standards across all leisure operations.
- Ensure operational excellence across rides, facilities, guest amenities, cleanliness, and commercial areas.
- Monitor KPIs and drive performance improvements across all teams.
- Oversee operational readiness, uptime, and communication across departments.
- Step into Duty Manager responsibilities when required, including incident management.
- Team Engagement & Development
- Lead, inspire, and develop zonal managers, team leads, and lifeguards.
- Foster a culture of engagement, wellbeing, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Deliver regular team meetings and set clear objectives aligned with business strategy.
- Create a positive, fun, and high-performance working environment.
- Apply strong leadership to support front-line teams and minimise operational challenges.
- Guest Experience
- Consistently exceed guest expectations through proactive operational planning.
- Use guest feedback and data insights to drive continuous improvement.
- Health & Safety
- Ensure all risk assessments are completed and maintained in line with policy.
- Lead compliance with Merlin policies, RLSS guidance, and legislative requirements.
- Oversee audits, safety checks, and incident response procedures.
- Ensure all team members are fully trained, competent, and compliant.
- Champion a proactive safety culture, encouraging ideas and improvements.
Qualifications & Experience
- National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)
- Trainer Assessor Qualification (TA) for NPLQ
- Pool Plant Operator Qualification (PPO)
- Swimming Pool Technical Operator Qualification (SPTO)
- National Pool Manager Qualification (NPMQ)
Skills & Competencies
- Proven leadership in high-volume operational environments.
- Strong decision-making ability under pressure.
- Guest-focused mindset with a passion for service excellence.
- Strong operational knowledge including safety, compliance, and resource planning.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong problem-solving ability and adaptability.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and team development.
- Flexible approach to working patterns and business needs.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking a proven, inspirational operational leader with a strong track record of delivering results in fast-paced, high-volume, guest-focused environments. You thrive under pressure, bringing clarity, structure, and energy to complex operations while leading large, diverse teams with confidence and authority. You are accountable, commercially aware, and relentlessly driven by exceptional guest experience, operational excellence, and uncompromising safety standards. You don't just maintain performance, you elevate it, creating high standards and embedding a culture of ownership and pride across your teams. You combine strong leadership presence with a hands-on approach, ensuring consistency, quality, and engagement at every level of the operation.
Benefits
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- ‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Passes – 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
- Merlin Magic Pass – 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year's service
- Company bonus
- Private pension scheme
- 40% discount online off LEGO
- 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Plus, many more…
Pay Range Competitive
Senior Leisure Operations Manager in Alton employer: Alton Towers Resort
As a Senior Leisure Operations Manager at our vibrant leisure facility, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences while ensuring the highest standards of health and safety. Our company fosters a positive and engaging work culture, offering extensive training and development opportunities, competitive benefits including generous holiday allowances and exclusive Merlin passes, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join us in creating memorable moments for our guests while thriving in a supportive environment that values operational excellence and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Leisure Operations Manager in Alton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the leisure industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet hiring managers or team leaders, be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the Senior Leisure Operations Manager role. Use specific examples that highlight your leadership and operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission of delivering exceptional guest experiences and maintaining high safety standards. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, hit that apply button and let’s get you one step closer to landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Leisure Operations Manager in Alton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. We want to see how you've inspired and developed teams in high-pressure environments, just like the ones you'll be managing with us.
Focus on Guest Experience:Don’t forget to emphasise your guest-focused mindset! Share examples of how you've gone above and beyond to enhance guest experiences, as this is a key part of the role we’re looking to fill.
Demonstrate Operational Excellence:We love candidates who can showcase their operational knowledge. Include specific instances where you’ve improved performance or ensured compliance with health and safety standards in your previous roles.
Be Authentic and Engaging:Let your personality shine through in your application! We’re looking for someone who can create a positive and fun working environment, so don’t hesitate to show us your passion for the industry and your commitment to team development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alton Towers Resort
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's leisure operations. Familiarise yourself with their rides, amenities, and guest experiences. Being able to discuss specific operational challenges and how you would address them will show your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led diverse teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your approach to team engagement and development, and be ready to discuss how you foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement. This will demonstrate that you can inspire and elevate your team.
✨Emphasise Guest Experience
Think about ways you've exceeded guest expectations in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've used feedback to drive improvements. This will illustrate your guest-focused mindset and commitment to service excellence, which is crucial for this position.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life operational scenarios, especially around health and safety compliance or incident management. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills under pressure. This will help you convey your strong problem-solving ability and adaptability.
