Operations Director in London

Location: Kington, Herefordshire (On-site)

Salary: £45,000-£50,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Reporting to: Chairman of the Board

Governance: Position on the Board of Directors (Monthly Meetings)

Start date: Immediate start preferred

Application Deadline: 24th April 2026 5pm

The Role Purpose:

The Operations Director (OD) will hold total accountability for the day-to-day running of Dunfield House. As a Board member, you will translate the Board’s long-term vision into operational reality. Your mission is to maximise the potential of our 15-acre estate, ensuring exceptional guest experiences across all potential revenue streams, while maintaining the financial health and charitable ethos of the venue.

Organisational Structure:

You will act as the "hub" of Dunfield House, providing leadership, mentorship, and accountability to a dedicated senior management team.

• Sales & Marketing Manager: Driving occupancy and commercial revenue.
• Admin Assistant: Oversight of HR, budgets, cash flow, and financial reporting.
• Site Caretaker: Ensuring the 15-acre site, indoor pool, and historic buildings are safe, compliant, and well-maintained.
• Head of Kitchen: Managing food safety, gross profit (GP), and quality of service.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
   • Prepare and present monthly operational reports to the Chairman and the Board.
   • Present Key financial reports in collaboration with the admin assistant.
   • Lead the annual business planning process.
   • In collaboration with the sales and marketing manager, implement the marketing strategy.
   • Act as a guardian of Dunfield’s culture, ensuring the venue remains a "home from home" for all guests.
2. Financial & Commercial Management
   • Work with the admin assistant to optimise margins, particularly focusing on energy efficiency and food costs.
   • Work with the sales & marketing manager to implement dynamic pricing and improve mid-week occupancy.
   • Understand the importance of financial management and have the ability to compile financial reports for Board meetings.
3. Operational Excellence & Compliance
   • Oversee the site caretaker to ensure rigorous health and safety standards, particularly regarding the indoor pool and fire safety in a high-capacity residential setting.
   • Oversee the head of kitchen to ensure 5-star hygiene ratings and efficient volume catering for up to 90 guests.
   • Streamline internal processes (booking systems, staff rotas, guest check-ins) to improve efficiency.
   • Share duty manager responsibilities.
4. People & Culture
   • Foster a high-performing, collaborative environment between the distinct departments.
   • Manage recruitment, appraisals, and professional development for the senior team.

Performance Indicators (KPIs):

1. Financial & Efficiency KPIs
   • Primary KPI: Achievement of 103 FHE days.
   • Secondary KPI: 15% conversion rate of OTA guests to direct bookers.
   • Tertiary KPI: Average TRev P/Ag of £2.00+ per guest.
2. Operational & Capacity KPIs
   • Full House Equivalent (FHE) Readiness: While Sales book the days, Operations must ensure the site is "Turnaround Ready." A KPI for "Zero Down-Time" between back-to-back groups.
   • The "Pool Availability" Score: A KPI of 98%+ uptime (excluding scheduled maintenance).
   • Catering Margin: 70% Gross Profit (GP) on meals by managing waste and seasonal purchasing.
3. Compliance & Duty Management KPIs
   • Health & Safety Audit Score: 100% compliance on monthly internal safety checks (Fire, Water/Legionella, Pool, Safeguarding).
   • Guest "Home from Home" Satisfaction: A score (derived from post-stay surveys) specifically measuring Cleanliness and Facility Functionality.
   • Staff Retention & Training: A target for Staff Turnover.

The Ideal Candidate:

Experience:

• Senior Management: At least 5 years in a senior operational role within hospitality, residential centres, or large-scale venue management.
• Board-Level Presence: Comfortable reporting to a Board and communicating complex operational data to stakeholders.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven track record of improving profit margins without compromising service quality.
• Team Leadership: Experience managing diverse teams (from maintenance and catering to sales and finance).

Skills:

• Strategic Thinking: The ability to look beyond the day-to-day and plan for the next 3–5 years.
• Financial Literacy: Ability to interpret P&Ls, balance sheets, and budget variances.
• Adaptability: Equally comfortable in a boardroom meeting as they are walking the estate with a contractor.

Benefits:

• Board Position: A genuine opportunity to shape the future of a significant regional venue.
• Autonomy: High degree of freedom to implement operational changes and drive the commercial strategy.
• Environment: Work in a beautiful 15-acre setting in the Herefordshire countryside.

Why Join Us?

You will be taking the helm of a financially viable venue at a pivotal moment of transition. You have the opportunity to secure the future of a unique estate that serves as a vital resource for schools, churches, and families alike.