Head of Data-Driven Operations & Efficiency

Places Leisure Group; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 7%

Bonus scheme up to 15%

Car allowance

Healthcare cashback

Wellbeing support

Wellbeing hub access

Gym membership

Life Assurance

Job summary

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to drive data-led resource management across multiple sites. You will lead labour planning, forecasting and cost models, identify efficiencies and work with senior leaders to protect the customer experience.

Travel to sites is typically 2–3 days per week. You will combine strong analytical ability with commercial awareness, building practical models and reporting to support strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in labour planning, workforce management, operational performance, commercial finance, cost transformation or operational efficiency within a complex, multi-site organisation.
• Forecasting operational demand and translating it into practical labour plans, hours and costs.
• Experience analysing labour and non-labour P&L performance, identifying cost drivers and turning findings into measurable action plans.
• Practical experience using time and motion studies or equivalent methods to assess activity, capacity and efficiency.
• Advanced experience using Excel and Power BI to build models and reporting for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of smarter, data-led ways of managing resources and operating costs across Places Leisure.
• Improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure right colleagues and resources at the right time.
• Identify efficiencies, reduce avoidable spend and develop practical cost models supporting investment decisions.
• Support refits, bids and growth opportunities with robust payback analyses.
• Travel to leisure sites typically 2 to 3 days per week.

Skills

Labour planning

Workforce management

Operational performance

Commercial finance

Cost transformation

Operational efficiency

Excel

Power BI

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to drive data-led resource management across multiple sites. You will lead labour planning, forecasting and cost models, identify efficiencies and work with senior leaders to protect the customer experience.

Travel to sites is typically 2–3 days per week. You will combine strong analytical ability with commercial awareness, building practical models and reporting to support strategic decisions.