HEAD OF OPERATIONS in London

HEAD OF OPERATIONS in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and optimise operations for premium retreats across multiple destinations.
  • Company: Fast-growing, experience-led travel business focused on wellbeing and adventure.
  • Benefits: Excellent salary, performance bonuses, 25 days leave plus birthday off, and training events.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of luxury travel experiences.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in operations within travel or hospitality, strong leadership skills.
  • Other info: Remote-first role with exciting international travel opportunities.

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 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

  • 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 in London 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 Head of Operations, you will enjoy an excellent salary, performance-based bonuses, and a remote-first work culture that promotes flexibility and global collaboration. With opportunities for personal growth through training events and retreats, as well as the excitement of frequent international travel, this role offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the world of experience-led travel.
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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 in London

✨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 that perfect Head of Operations role!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s operations and culture. Understand their approach to guest experiences and think about how you can contribute. Tailor your examples to show how your hands-on leadership style aligns with their needs.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss past challenges you've faced in operations and how you turned them into opportunities. Highlight your ability to spot risks before they become issues—this is key for a Head of Operations 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 looking for passionate individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments like yours. Let’s get you that dream job!

We think you need these skills to ace HEAD OF OPERATIONS in London

Operational Leadership
Risk Management
Crisis Management
Team Development
Supplier Relationship Management
Process Design
Strategic Planning
Resource Management
Performance Management
Cost Control
Continuous Improvement
Collaboration Across Time Zones
Hands-On Delivery
Adaptability 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 retreats and experiences.

Be Organised: In a fast-paced environment like ours, organisation is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter are well-structured and highlight your operational experience clearly. We appreciate clarity and attention to detail.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Operations role. We’re looking for someone who can spot risks and implement solutions, so showcase those abilities!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you 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. Plus, we love seeing candidates take that extra step!

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 structure and processes. Understand how they deliver their premium retreats and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. This shows you’re not just interested in the role but genuinely invested in their operations.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, especially in fast-paced environments. Discuss how you've motivated teams during high-pressure situations and how you’ve successfully led international teams. This will demonstrate your ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on delivery.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Risk Management

Given the emphasis on spotting risks and gaps, come prepared with specific examples of how you've identified and mitigated operational risks in previous roles. This could include crisis management or contingency planning, which is crucial for ensuring seamless operations.

✨Emphasise Your Passion for Wellbeing and Travel

Since the role is centred around fitness, wellbeing, and premium travel experiences, express your genuine passion for these areas. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that reflect your enthusiasm, as this will resonate well with the company’s mission and values.

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