Operations Manager - Dakota Manchester Airport opening summer 2026

We’re preparing to open our largest hotel yet, Dakota Manchester Airport, launching in early summer 2026. This brand‑new property will feature our signature Bar & Grill and deliver the exceptional guest experience Dakota is known for. We are looking for an experienced hospitality leader with a genuine passion for service to join us as Operations Manager, the second‑in‑command to the Hotel Manager. This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a hands‑on environment and is committed to driving operational excellence and revenue growth.

Contract and Pay Rate

• Permanent contract, 45 hours per week, fully flexible shifts, any 5 days out of 7 including weekends.
• Competitive salary, target‑based bonus.
• Planned start date: 1 April 2026.

Primary Role Responsibilities

• Support the Hotel Manager in leading and inspiring the team across all departments.
• Manage and develop Duty Managers, Reception Manager, Night Manager and Head Concierge, coaching them to elevate service delivery across all guest touchpoints.
• Lead Reception and Concierge teams to deliver seamless arrivals, departures and personalised guest service that reflects Dakota’s high standards.
• Oversee the effective use of the PMS and related systems to optimise room allocation, billing accuracy and guest profiles, ensuring smooth workflows.
• Act as a floor‑based leader during peak times, setting the tone for exceptional hospitality and operational efficiency.
• Maintain health & safety standards, licensing regulations and operational policies, safeguarding both guests and team members.
• Collaborate with Food & Beverage, Maintenance and Housekeeping leadership to ensure smooth inter‑departmental operations and uphold service standards across the entire guest journey.
• Oversee rotas to guarantee service excellence while meeting budgeted payroll targets.

Benefits

• Special discounts on stays and dining at any Dakota property.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme including free private mental health support and counselling, video GP consultations and private prescription services, plus daily rewards that can be cashed out for shopping vouchers.
• Support from in‑house Mental Health Champions.
• Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of employment.
• Family‑friendly flexible working options.
• Meals on duty and uniform provision.
• Bonuses for recommending a friend and for being mentioned on TripAdvisor.
• Accredited, certified compliance training provided on employment.
• Access to a suite of external, certified resources via the Learning Management System.
• Supportive continuous professional development culture with annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan.
• Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential in‑house apprenticeships.

About Dakota Hotels

Dakota is a growing UK‑based lifestyle brand, known for stylish hotels, bustling brasserie grills and upscale cocktail bars. Started with two boutique hotels in Edinburgh, Glasgow and now expanding into prime city centre locations including Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, with Manchester Airport coming soon. Dakota is synonymous with delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard‑working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last six years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK for the last two years. As recent winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year’, we have award‑winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. Over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for five consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award by The Caterer.

Applicant Requirements

• At least 5 years’ experience in 4* and 5* hotels. (required)
• Minimum of 3 years’ management experience with demonstrably strong leadership, mentoring and coaching skills. (required)
• Strong commercial understanding, including participation in P&L reviews, rota management and KPI setting. (required)
• Varied hotel experience across Rooms Division and Food & Beverage, with a holistic approach to guest experience and revenue generation. (required)
• Sincere love for hospitality with a guest‑focused, floor‑based leadership style. (required)
• Personal licence, Health and Safety and Food Hygiene training are highly desirable.
• Enthusiastic individual who promotes our culture of positivity.
• Task‑oriented with pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
• Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.

Apply

Please send us your up‑to‑date CV. For more information on our luxury hotel, visit our Careers page to learn about current opportunities and find your #DreamRolesAtDakota – we’d love to hear from you!