Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a diverse team to deliver exceptional guest experiences and ensure safety compliance.
- Company: Join a leading leisure operations company with a focus on fun and safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, Merlin passes, discounts, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while inspiring your team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in high-volume settings and relevant safety qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Role
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.
- 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.
- Consistently exceed guest expectations through proactive operational planning.
- Use guest feedback and data insights to drive continuous improvement.
- 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 employer: Alton Towers Resort
Contact Detail:
Alton Towers Resort Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Leisure Operations Manager
✨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
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, share specific examples of how you've led teams to success in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop others – that’s what they want to see!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive about guest experience! Prepare to discuss how you’ve used guest feedback to drive improvements in past roles. This shows you’re not just about operations but also about creating memorable experiences for guests.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying – a little persistence goes a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Leisure Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams and driving operational excellence. We want to see how you've inspired others and improved performance in previous roles.
Focus on Guest Experience: Emphasise your guest-focused mindset and any specific examples of how you've exceeded guest expectations. We love candidates who are passionate about creating memorable experiences!
Demonstrate Safety Compliance Knowledge: Since health and safety is a big part of this role, include any relevant qualifications and experiences that showcase your commitment to maintaining high safety standards.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alton Towers Resort
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the operational aspects of leisure management. Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) and think about how you would implement high service standards across various facilities. This will show your potential employer that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led diverse teams in high-pressure environments. Think about specific situations where you inspired your team or improved performance. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a positive culture and engage your staff effectively.
✨Emphasise Guest Experience
Be ready to discuss how you’ve exceeded guest expectations in previous roles. Use data insights or feedback to illustrate your commitment to continuous improvement. This will highlight your guest-focused mindset and passion for service excellence.
✨Health & Safety is Key
Brush up on health and safety regulations relevant to leisure operations. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past roles and how you would champion a proactive safety culture. This will reassure your interviewer that you take safety seriously and can lead by example.