At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations at a vibrant wildlife park and manage a diverse team.
- Company: Exciting visitor attraction in Stoke-on-Trent with growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £50,000, career progression, and hands-on leadership experience.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for senior leadership as the business expands.
- Why this job: Shape the future of the park while ensuring an amazing guest experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations management and strong team leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
A growing visitor attraction in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take full ownership of the day-to-day running of the park and play a key role in shaping how the business develops as it continues to grow. This is a highly visible, hands-on role where you will manage teams, resolve issues, and maintain high standards across the visitor experience, while overseeing front-of-house operations, leading and developing a large diverse team, collaborating closely with other departments, and driving performance against key KPIs.
Key Responsibilities
- Take full ownership of the day-to-day operations of Peak Wildlife Park, ensuring all areas are fully staffed, open, and operating to a high standard.
- Lead and manage a front-of-house team of approximately 40 staff across catering and guest services.
- Work closely with Operations Supervisors to develop team structure, performance, and capability.
- Collaborate effectively with the Head Keeper and wider teams to ensure smooth park operations across all departments.
- Maintain consistently high standards of guest experience, safety, and service delivery.
- Manage and resolve operational issues quickly and effectively to minimise disruption.
- Plan for seasonal peaks, busy periods, and events to ensure full operational readiness.
- Take ownership of key KPIs including guest satisfaction, complaint resolution, staff retention, health and safety compliance, operational efficiency, and revenue performance.
- Provide clear daily and weekly reporting to senior management, highlighting risks, performance, and improvements.
- Drive continuous improvement across all areas of park operations.
Key Skills and Attributes
- Proven experience in an operations management role within a visitor attraction, leisure, hospitality, or retail environment.
- Strong track record of managing teams across multiple functions or departments.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver consistently against KPIs, including guest experience and operational performance.
- Experience managing high-volume trading periods, seasonal demand, and live events.
- Strong understanding of health and safety compliance and best practice.
- Experience with budgets, cost control, and commercial reporting.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
Hours of work include Monday to Friday as well as some weekends, bank holidays and peak trading periods. Appointment will be subject to DBS clearance, right to work checks and satisfactory references. The role offers competitive pay up to £50,000 depending on experience, along with the opportunity to take real ownership of park operations and progress into a senior leadership position as the business grows.
Operations Manager employer: Recruitment Robin Ltd
Join an award-winning landscaping and garden maintenance company in Staffordshire, where your passion for horticulture can flourish. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer ongoing training, career progression opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values teamwork and excellence. Enjoy the benefits of working in a dynamic environment that rewards dedication with competitive remuneration and additional incentives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Familiarise yourself with their KPIs and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested in shaping their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully managed teams and resolved operational issues in the past. Highlighting your ability to drive performance will make you a strong candidate for the 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 love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how much you care about visitor experiences and operational excellence. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager position. Highlight your experience in managing teams, resolving issues, and driving performance against KPIs. We love seeing how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, so don’t be afraid to get straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Peak Wildlife Park!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruitment Robin Ltd
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the day-to-day operations of a visitor attraction. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and opportunities that come with managing a large team and maintaining high standards in guest experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading diverse teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated staff, resolved conflicts, and driven performance against KPIs. This will demonstrate your capability to manage the front-of-house team effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially regarding operational issues. Think of past experiences where you successfully managed high-pressure situations or seasonal peaks, and be ready to explain your thought process and actions.
✨Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit
Collaboration is key in this role, so be ready to talk about how you've worked with other departments in previous positions. Discuss how you’ve partnered with teams to enhance operational efficiency and improve guest satisfaction, showcasing your ability to drive continuous improvement.
