Area 4 Manager - Ascot 2026

LaplandUK; Greenham; Remote; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free hot meal each shift

Shuttle bus

Accommodation provided if needed or ££

Job summary

LaplandUK is seeking an Act 4 Area Manager based at Ascot to lead the Father Christmas land operation. You will balance people management with guest experience while driving efficient operations across the Elven Village to Compass’ Lobby pathways.

Responsibilities include rostering, performance management, KPI reporting, and training delivery. The role requires ensuring safety standards and delivering a memorable, magical experience for guests during the Live Event period.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' experience in event operations or visitor attraction operations.
• Strong people management experience coordinating large teams in a guest-facing operation.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage safeflow of guests in-line with policy and procedures.
• Act as Area Manager for Act 4 on a rostered basis, ensuring guest throughput and staff performance.
• Troubleshoot and solve area-specific issues to maintain a world-class guest experience.
• Deliver daily operational KPI reporting to Event Controller.
• Lead and train staff; manage recruitment with People Operations during live event.
• Deliver pre-approved training and attend mandatory courses.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Diplomacy

Initiative

Technology confidence

Organisation

Work under pressure

Team leadership

Job description

We are most famous for our award-winning event, buried deep in the Crown Estate near Ascot. 17 years ago, Mike & Alison Battle created the event out of their own desire to take their children somewhere that would celebrate the pure, commercially unsullied, magic of Christmas. Now, with the help of Hollywood set-designers, West-End actors and more than a sprinkling of magic, the event is keeping the magic of Christmas alive for thousands of children every year.

LaplandUK celebrates and honours the values, imagination and wonderment of childhood through our magical world, rich storytelling and immersive memory making experiences.

This is an exciting period of growth for us, as we look for new ways to bring the Lapland experience to a global audience through media, publishing, live shows and eCommerce channels.

Role Overview:

The Act 4 Area Manager is accountable for the Father Christmas land operation, leading and inspiring a variety of operational and performance teams, ensuring guests have a world-class experience. This is a multifaceted role, which requires a strong balancing of the demands of people management and protecting the guest experience, whilst also delivering an efficient and effective operation.

The area of responsibility includes managing the guest journey from The Elven Village to Compass’ Lobby (including managing the flow rate of guests), the Compass’ Lobby check-in experience, Elves and the delivery of the guest’s personalised audience with Father Christmas, accountable for the entire FC Land operation, leading and inspiring the operational team, ensuring guests have a world-class experience. This is a multi-faceted role, which requires a strong balancing of the demands of people management and protecting the guest experience, whilst also delivering an efficient and effective operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a safeflow of guests throughout the Act 4 operationstrictly in-line with approved policy,processesand instruction. Ensure a complete and up-to-date working knowledge of procedures, consulting withthe Event Manageron any required review or revision, ensuring a consistent and efficient operation.
• On a rostered basis, work asan‘AreaManager’ forAct 4, ensuring that guest throughputs and employee performance are pro-actively managed.
• Have a thorough working knowledge ofeach area,toeffectively troubleshoot and problem solve.
• To exceed the NPS target and guest satisfaction scores as set byLive Show Team
• Ensureaconsistent andaccuratedaily reporting of operational KPI’sfor your areatothe Eventcontroller
• Act as a champion for the ‘Lapland Accessibility and Inclusion’ policies, working with colleagues and direct reports to ensure all are trained and workingin accordance withthe relevant processes.
• Attend to (and follow up) guest feedback, working closely with the GuestOperationsteam (and other relevant stakeholders) to proactively address recurring problems.
• Deliver daily briefings to teams, communicating key safety, operational,experientialand departmental informationin a timely manner.
• To deliver the operational processes for your area aligned with SOP’s and overall Event Management Plan.
• Managing the onsite photography fulfilment team.

Team Management:

• Work closelyalongside all Managersand Supervisorswithin your areato ensure that the staffing is consistently at the right level. Pro-actively address and resolve instances where staffing levels fall below the required matrix for operation.
• Provide support and guidance for direct and indirect reports at all times .
• Establish,leadandmaintaina professional and positive working culture, acting as a role model.
• Ensurea high levelof morale across all teams.
• Ensure that team attendance is high, managing absence ina timelyand effective mannerin accordance withcompany policy.
• Managepoor performanceina timelyand effective manner,in accordance withcompany policy.
• Recognise and promotegood performanceand attendance.
• Work closely withPeople Operationson any recruitment requirements during the live event.

Training:

• Deliver pre-approved training courses to both new and existing staff before and during the event.
• Attend ‘Train the Trainer’ courses (and other required training courses) as determined by the business.
• Ensure a positive attitude and approach to training, with a willingness to learn and adapt as required by the business.

Required Experience

• Minimum five y ear’s experience working in either event operations or visitor attraction operations.
• Strong people management experience, with experience co-ordinating large teams within a guest facing operation.
• Working knowledge of best Health and Safety practices.
• A basic knowledge of KPI and customer insight data (e.g. dashboards, surveying and mystery shoppers). Skills / Knowledge
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
• Bright with a strong sense of initiative.
• Confident with technology.
• Flexibility of approach to working environment needs.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Positive attitude throughout to ensure a good morale is sustained onsite.
• Organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure
• Catering: One meal per day provided
• Accommodation provided if needed or £25 towards travel

Shifts & Availability : as you will be working on a rota basis with the other Area 4 Manager good availability between October 2026 - December 2026 is essential.

Training and Build period on-site : October TBC

Live Event Period : 7th November - 24th December

WHAT YOU’LL RECEIVE

• Free hot meal each shift
• Shuttlebus from local Train Station to event site.

Customer Facing Role Requirements Where the Worker is in costume, will be expected to:

• Remove all jewellery and piercings (no clear replacements) - this includes tooth gems/grills.
• Have neatly groomed, natural coloured hair, and as an elf, have all long hair in plaits.
• If worn, religious head coverings must be a neutral colour of brown, beige, or navy.
• Arrive on shift with none or natural make-up (foundation if worn must look like your natural skin tone); minimal mascara, no false eye lashes and no false or painted nails.
• No tattoos are permitted from the collar bone up for all customer facing roles. In addition, no tattoos are permitted below elbow for Food & Beverage, and 2 inches below elbow for all other customer facing roles on site
• Leave all watches, including smart watches and phones securely in your locker.

Where is LaplandUK?

Lapland Ascot is based at Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, SL5 8BD