People Operations Manager in Ascot

Founded in 2007 by Mike and Alison Battle, Lapland began with a simple but powerful purpose: to honour the wonder of childhood at Christmas. Frustrated by the poor quality of festive experiences available for their own four boys, the Battles set out to elevate this moment of childhood and reimagine the Father Christmas myth through original storytelling, meticulous set design, and emotionally resonant live theatre. Their ground-breaking immersive show opened in 2007 and immediately captured the attention and hearts of parents nationwide.

Today, the Lapland Group is a fast-growing purpose driven entertainment business spanning the three pillars of Live, Product and Studios. In 2024, Lapland’s eCommerce revenues grew tenfold, driven by the launch of magical at-home products like personalised Letters from Lapland. With immersive Live experiences, high-growth eCommerce, and a rapidly expanding original content, Lapland is on a mission to become the definitive global Christmas brand anchored in belief, storytelling, and the enduring magic of childhood.

Location: Ascot (Swinley Forest) from Mid-October, hybrid between Camberley & home before that.

Role Overview: The People Operations Manager role is an extremely important role for the company and a great opportunity for a caring and passionate People Operations Manager to join a friendly, progressive team of talented individuals in a fast paced and collaborative environment. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources and people operations for the Ascot live show, with a focus on recruitment, employee engagement, reward & recognition during the live shows.

Key Responsibilities:

• The People Operations Manager (Ascot) is responsible for the seasonal workforce for the Ascot live show, covering all departments and leading the pre-event work on recruitment & training, moving into on-site management & delivery.
• Driving the recruitment strategy for the event season, working closely with the resourcing team, and ensuring a seamless recruitment process and hitting target numbers on a weekly basis.
• Organising assessment centres / audition sessions, collaborating with the resourcing team and show operations team to achieve targets and KPIs.

Role Requirements:

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for the seasonal workforce, from processing candidates to conducting interviews and making offers.
• Sift & schedule interviews for key management positions in conjunction with Heads of departments.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and ensure timely fulfilment of positions.
• Design and implement programs to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Conduct regular surveys and feedback sessions to gauge employee morale and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement performance management systems and processes to evaluate employee performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain HR policies and procedures in compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices.
• Address queries, escalating as needed to the Head of People Operations.

Required Experience:

• General understanding of common HR rules & requirements relating to temporary workers.
• Previous experience working in a People Operations or Workforce role within events, theatre or visitor attraction environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Windows & Microsoft applications, as well as comfortable using various staffing & scheduling systems.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Salary – £45,000 to £48,000 pro rata

Benefits:

• Flexible hybrid working.
• Holiday paid at the end of contract.
• Free daily on-site meal once based on-site for the live show.
• Staff car parking & shuttle bus service from Ascot Train Station to site.

Lapland is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.