At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance the performance of our leisure, food, retail, and spa operations.
- Company: Center Parcs, the UK's top choice for short breaks in a stunning forest setting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, company car, private medical insurance, and discounts.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape guest experiences while leading a passionate team in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in hospitality or similar fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 £ per year.
Woburn Forest | £75,000 - £90,000 Depending on Experience per annum plus 22% bonus scheme | Company Car | PMI
We’re a thriving team passionate about working together to deliver excellence, all in a natural forest environment. Set within the beautiful surroundings of Woburn Forest, Center Parcs is the UK's number one choice for short breaks. Behind every great guest experience is a strong commercial operation — and that’s where you come in.
As Head of Village Commercial, you’ll play a key role in shaping how our Leisure, Food & Beverage, Retail and Spa areas perform day to day. Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll bring together people, performance and operational delivery to keep everything running smoothly and delivering the standards our guests expect.
What you’ll be doing:
- Operational Leadership: You’ll lead the day‑to‑day performance of all commercial areas, including Food & Beverage, Retail, Leisure and Spa, ensuring they run safely, efficiently and to a high standard. Through your leadership team, you’ll maintain strong operational oversight, resolve issues quickly and keep plans aligned to demand. You’ll also oversee key projects, ensuring smooth delivery with minimal disruption.
- Colleague Engagement & Culture: You’ll provide clear, visible leadership across large, multi‑disciplinary teams, building an environment where people feel engaged and supported. You’ll develop your managers, strengthen capability and support progression, while using colleague feedback to drive improvements and maintain a positive, inclusive culture.
- Guest Experience & Standards: You’ll ensure consistently high standards across all areas, keeping the guest experience at the centre of everything. Using feedback and performance insight, you’ll drive improvements and support effective service recovery, working with village and central teams to deliver a seamless guest journey.
- Financial Accountability: You’ll support strong commercial performance by helping teams manage costs, use resources effectively and deliver results. Working with Forest House, you’ll translate plans into action, using data and insight to track performance and identify opportunities to improve.
- Compliance, Safety & Wider Leadership: You’ll ensure all areas operate safely and in line with standards, acting as a key escalation point when needed. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll contribute to wider priorities, support communication and step in to lead in the absence of the Village Director, while also supporting sustainability goals.
What We’re Looking For:
- Strong senior leadership experience in a fast‑paced, multi‑unit environment (hospitality, leisure, retail or similar)
- Confident decision‑maker, able to use data and insight to manage performance, budgets and operational priorities
- Proven experience leading, developing and motivating high‑performing teams
- Good understanding of standards, service delivery and maintaining consistency across multiple areas
- Strong communicator, able to influence, build relationships and work effectively across teams and stakeholders
- Commercially aware, with a focus on guest experience, performance and continuous improvement
What’s in it for You:
- Management Bonus Scheme (up to 22%)
- Company Car
- Private Medical Insurance
- Pension Scheme with Life Assurance
- Discounted Center Parcs breaks
- Free use of our leisure facilities
- 20% discount in our restaurant and retail outlets
- Access to Perks at Work Portal – offering a wide range of retail and leisure discounts
- An Employee Assistance Program – providing support on financial, health and legal matters
- Excellent opportunities for career development and progression with the opportunity to gain externally recognised qualifications
- Colleague Recognition and Reward Scheme – offering a choice of Center Parcs and High Street vouchers
Our values: Each colleague at Center Parcs is involved in building better worlds for our guests, colleagues, communities and our environment. Contributing to our purpose means living out our values: We care, we’re brave, we’re determined and we’re naturally us.
Sound like your kind of job? Apply online today. At Center Parcs, everyone’s welcome. We recognise that we’re all at our best when we’re being ourselves. We are committed to building a culture that champions diversity, equity and inclusion, where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want them to feel valued for their individuality, thrive in our business and share a sense of belonging. We place a lot of value on recruiting based on behaviours rather than prioritising qualifications or experience. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, please let us know if you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process.
Head of Village Commercial NEW Center Parcs Posted today Bedford employer: Center Parcs group
Center Parcs is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture set in the stunning natural surroundings of Woburn Forest. With a strong focus on colleague engagement and development, employees benefit from excellent career progression opportunities, a generous bonus scheme, and a range of perks including discounted leisure facilities and private medical insurance. Join us to be part of a team that values diversity, inclusivity, and a commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Village Commercial NEW Center Parcs Posted today Bedford
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Center Parcs group. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Center Parcs group
Don't be shy about reaching out to Center Parcs group directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Village Commercial NEW Center Parcs Posted today Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Center Parcs group and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Center Parcs group
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
