Business Development Manager Arcades

Haven Holidays; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading leisure company in the UK is seeking a Business Development Manager with a focus on arcades and electronic leisure. This role involves managing relationships with Arcade Operator Partners and driving performance across parks. You will balance strategic planning with practical delivery, ensuring optimal guest experiences. Candidates should have over 5 years of relevant experience and strong analytical and communication skills. The position offers a hybrid working model, with benefits including an annual bonus and substantial holiday discounts.

Benefits

Annual bonus

Up to 75% discount on holidays

Comprehensive wellbeing support

Access to corporate box at the O2 Arena

Exclusive discounts with corporate partners

Learning and Development opportunities

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in account, category, or operations management.
• Proven skills in commercial management and strategic planning.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support strategy and planning for Haven Arcades.
• Develop and interpret arcade performance insights.
• Manage relationships with Operator Partners and park teams.

Skills

Strong knowledge of the Electronic Leisure industry

Business acumen and P&L understanding

Relationship management

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Experience with Excel and PowerPoint

Job description

We're looking for a Business Development Manager with specialism in arcades and electronic leisure to join our team, playing a key role in managing relationships with our Arcade Operator Partners and driving arcade optimisation across our parks. This hands‑on role balances strategic planning with practical delivery - working closely with Business Intelligence, Finance, and park teams to improve performance, develop space optimisation plans, and support innovative initiatives. You'll be the go‑to contact for operators and parks, spending time both in the office and out on site to ensure our arcades deliver the best experience for our guests.

Responsibilities

• Supporting strategy and planning for Haven Arcades, collaborating with Finance, Proposition, and Operator Partners to drive growth, innovation, and deliver the 5-year business plan.
• Developing and interpreting arcade performance insights with BI and Finance, set KPIs, and support optimisation plans using data‑driven heat maps to improve revenue and guest satisfaction.
• Leading space and revenue optimisation across parks by prioritising projects, coordinating with cross‑functional teams, and monitoring performance to ensure timely delivery and continuous improvement.
• Managing strong relationships with Operator Partners and internal teams, providing account management, financial oversight, and support for contracts, legal compliance and business reviews.
• Delivering operational park support, acting as the main contact for park teams and operators, overseeing rollout of optimisation plans, and maintaining high Health & Safety standards through regular reviews and training.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Electronic Leisure and general leisure industries, including external economic and legislative factors, with 5+ years' experience in account, category or operations management within major leisure or retail businesses.
• Proven business acumen with full P&L understanding, commercial management skills, and the ability to define strategic and tactical plans that balance guest, team and business priorities.
• Excellent relationship management, stakeholder engagement and supplier management skills, combined with confident, clear communication and a collaborative, consultative approach.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with experience using Excel and PowerPoint, market research, negotiation, influencing and presenting to support category performance improvements.
• Experience leading or working closely with operational teams, indirect leadership on park, and a curious, resourceful mindset with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

About Our Company

We're part of an award‑winning Bourne Leisure family, which includes Haven & Warner Hotels. We have 9,000 fantastic team members and 39 beautiful seaside locations and our HQ is based in Hemel Hempstead.

Culture

Working with us is ultimately defined by our exceptional people and teams. At Haven, we take pride in our Breath of Fresh Air culture, which focuses on valuing and supporting every team member. We prioritise openness and transparency in our interactions allowing our team members to be their authentic selves. We operate a hybrid working model, meaning 50% of your working week will be spent at the office, occasionally on park or at external events.

Recruitment Process

The interview process will be up to three stages and may contain a presentation or skills test, depending on the role. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments to help you perform at your best during this process, please let us know.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments or flexibility that you may require, including whether a role can be part‑time or a job‑share.

Benefits

• Annual bonus
• Up to 75% discount on both Haven and Warner Hotels holiday for you, family and friends
• Comprehensive wellbeing support
• Access to the Bourne Leisure corporate box at the O2 Arena, London
• Exclusive discounts with corporate partners
• Exciting career pathways, including Learning and Development opportunities such as Apprenticeships and Degrees
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay (eligibility criteria applied)