HEAD OF OPERATIONS

HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operations for premium retreats, ensuring seamless guest experiences across multiple destinations.
  • Company: Fast-growing travel company focused on wellbeing and adventure.
  • Benefits: Excellent salary, performance bonuses, 25 days leave, and remote-first flexibility.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of luxury travel while travelling the world.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in operations within travel or hospitality, strong leadership skills.
  • Other info: Frequent international travel and opportunities for personal development.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Have a genuine passion for fitness and wellbeing, thrive in highly organised, fast-moving environments, and enjoy being hands-on when it counts? Are you flexible and excited to travel regularly to resort locations, supporting live operations on the ground? Do you naturally spot risks, gaps or issues before they arise, putting solutions in place to ensure every tour runs seamlessly and delights guests rather than disappoints?

If you’re someone who combines calm leadership, sharp operational thinking and exceptional organisation with a love of premium, experience-led travel, this could be the role for you.

Our Customer

We are excited to be recruiting exclusively for a Head of Operations to support an ambitious and fast-growing, experience-led business. Our customer designs and delivers premium retreats in inspiring destinations worldwide, combining wellbeing, adventure and outstanding hospitality. With international growth underway, they are focused on strengthening their operational foundations while protecting the quality of the guest experience.

They are seeking a Head of Operations to join the team and help shape the next phase of growth. This role suits someone commercially minded, highly organised and people-focused, who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment. You will balance strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, ensuring operations run smoothly as the business scales.

As a Head of Operations, you will benefit from an excellent salary, performance-based bonus, 25 days’ annual leave plus your birthday off, and access to training events and retreats. The role is remote-first, with weekly travel into London, flexible hours to support global collaboration, and frequent international travel, particularly in the first year.

Job Description

In this role you will take overall responsibility for the delivery of day-to-day operations across multiple destinations, leading people, partners and processes to ensure consistent, high-quality experiences as the business grows.

  • Oversee end-to-end operational delivery across all destinations, ensuring smooth and safe execution
  • Lead, motivate and develop in-resort teams and operational leadership, maintaining high performance standards
  • Plan and manage resourcing, rostering and staffing needs to support peak and live delivery periods
  • Support recruitment, onboarding and readiness of in-resort teams in line with operational demand
  • Build and manage strong supplier and partner relationships, including contracts and service performance
  • Design, implement and refine scalable systems and processes to support growth
  • Identify, assess and mitigate operational risks, including crisis and contingency planning
  • Drive efficiency, cost control and continuous improvement across operations
  • Act as a trusted operational partner to senior leadership, contributing to strategic initiatives
  • Remain hands-on when required, particularly during live operations or high-pressure periods

Experience Required

  • Must have at least 3 years in an operational role within travel, hospitality, events
  • Experience working in fast-paced, scaling businesses or start-up environments
  • Proven ability to lead international teams and oversee complex, multi-location operations
  • Strong track record of designing and embedding scalable operational frameworks
  • Hands-on people leader with the ability to motivate, support and develop teams
  • Confident moving between strategic planning and day-to-day delivery
  • Experience handling incidents, disruptions or crisis situations
  • Exposure to premium retreats, events or high-end experience-led brands
  • Comfortable collaborating across time zones and managing global stakeholders

Benefits and Perks

  • Remote-first setup with regular London meet-ups
  • Frequent travel opportunities across Europe and worldwide
  • 25 days’ annual leave plus a birthday day off
  • Training events and retreats

HEAD OF OPERATIONS employer: Ambitions - Your Luxury Leisure Travel, Hospitality, Lifestyle & Events Recruitment Partner

Join a dynamic and fast-growing company that is passionate about delivering premium retreats in stunning locations worldwide. As a remote-first employer, we offer an excellent salary, performance-based bonuses, and generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave plus your birthday off, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth through training events and retreats. Our collaborative work culture encourages flexibility and innovation, making it an ideal environment for those who thrive in high-paced settings and are eager to make a meaningful impact.
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Contact Detail:

Ambitions - Your Luxury Leisure Travel, Hospitality, Lifestyle & Events Recruitment Partner Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land HEAD OF OPERATIONS

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the travel and hospitality industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on the perfect Head of Operations role!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s operations and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see that you can hit the ground running!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your hands-on leadership style and operational expertise can elevate their guest experiences. Keep it concise but impactful—this is your chance to shine and show why you’re the best fit for the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talent that matches our clients’ needs, so make sure you’re in the mix!

We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Operational Leadership
Team Development
Resource Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Crisis Management
Strategic Planning
Process Design and Implementation
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Cost Control
Continuous Improvement
Hands-on Operational Delivery
Collaboration Across Time Zones
Experience in Travel and Hospitality
Ability to Work in Fast-Paced Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: Let your love for fitness and wellbeing shine through in your application. We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission of delivering premium experiences.

Be Organised: In a fast-paced environment like ours, organisation is key! Make sure your application is well-structured and highlights your ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

Highlight Your Experience: We’re looking for someone with a solid background in operations within travel or hospitality. Be sure to showcase your relevant experience and any hands-on leadership roles you've held.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.

How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions - Your Luxury Leisure Travel, Hospitality, Lifestyle & Events Recruitment Partner

✨Know Your Operations Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the company's operational framework. Understand their processes, challenges, and successes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach, especially in high-pressure situations. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams and handled crises in past roles. This will demonstrate your hands-on capability and calmness under pressure.

✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Skills

Think of potential operational risks or gaps that could arise in this role and come up with solutions. Presenting these during the interview will showcase your proactive mindset and strategic thinking, which are crucial for a Head of Operations.

✨Emphasise Your Passion for Travel and Wellbeing

Since the company focuses on premium retreats and wellbeing, express your enthusiasm for travel and how it ties into your personal values. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your passion for creating exceptional guest experiences.

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