Head of Group Clerking & Racing Operations

Arena Racing Company; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading racing organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Group Clerking & Racing Operations. The role involves providing senior leadership in turf management and operational delivery across racing venues. Candidates should have at least 5 years as a BHA accredited Clerk with a deep understanding of equine welfare and turf maintenance. This position offers competitive leave and health benefits, contributing to a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Annual leave starting at 22 days

2 Annual Members badges for race days

Employee Health Cash Plan

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• BHA accredited Clerk of the Course with minimum 5 years post accreditation experience.
• Deep understanding of turf and AW care and maintenance, equine welfare, and regulatory requirements.
• Experienced in managing and mentoring operational teams.
• Ability to manage across multiple sites and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and mentoring to all Clerks of the Course.
• Oversee racecourse turf management strategy and condition reporting protocols.
• Manage BHA racecourse inspectorate.
• Coordinate training and development of Trainee Clerks.
• Support Racing Consultant with project delivery.

Skills

BHA accredited Clerk of the Course

Understanding of turf and AW care

Operational management experience

Ability to manage across multiple sites

Job description

Head of Group Clerking & Racing Operations

We have an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join Arena Racing Company as a Head of Group Clerking & Racing Operations.

About us

Arena Racing Company does so much more than lead the UKs largest horse racing group. We have 21 racing venues showcasing horse racing, greyhound racing, golf courses, hotels and events. In short, leisure, entertainment, media production and global distribution are at the heart of what we do, making it an exciting and diverse place to work!

Our success is a team effort which is why we offer great opportunities for growth, development and career progression. After all, its our employees that enable us to offer first class service and create an electric atmosphere, all within an industry we love.

About the Role

The Head of Group Clerking & Racing Operations will provide senior leadership, support and consistency across the group in all aspects of raceday turf management, safety and operational delivery. The Head of Group Clerking & Racing Operations will also be responsible for supporting and mentoring clerks including Regional, liaising with EDs / GMs, managing turf and infrastructure standards, and supporting continuous improvement in line with BHA and ARC expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and mentoring to all Clerks of the Course, including Regional Clerks and Senior Clerk - Group AWT Specialist
• Oversee racecourse turf management strategy and condition reporting protocols.
• Oversee group wide raceday medical and veterinary provisions and raceday supplier contracts and compliance
• Management of BHA racecourse inspectorate
• Oversee Starting Stalls service and strategy
• Coordinate and advise on training and development of Trainee Clerks.
• Support Racing Consultant with project delivery and capital works on track infrastructure (e.g. drainage, railings, jumps).
• Champion consistency of standards across racecourses and ensure BHA compliance with BHAGIs.
• Race off times reporting and responsibilities.
• Daily weather monitoring and reporting.
• Support out-of-hours operational resilience through a shared duty system.
• Maintain strong communication with the Racing Director and operational teams and Operations Director (Horseracing).
• Support the Racing Director in key decision-making processes around annual programming and fixture allocation (including additions).
• Group track capital expenditure and purchasing
• Attend regular regional and departmental meetings to align approaches.
• Regular site visits out of which the key focus will be compliance, welfare and improving standards
• Focus on upskilling Clerking and Grounds teams and supporting in recruitment processes.
• Seeking efficiencies in ways of working e.g. providing clarity around the deployment of our resources in a cost effective and budgeted manner. For example, ensuring optimal use of our variable labour and external third party contractors such as Treaders to support our core teams without creating additional headcount.
• Educating our venues on best in class presentation of site / outdoor areas within budgetary constraints.

Experience and Skills Required

• BHA accredited Clerk of the Course with minimum 5 years post accreditation experience.
• Deep understanding of turf and AW care and maintenance, equine welfare, and regulatory requirements.
• Experienced in managing and mentoring operational teams.
• Ability to manage across multiple sites and priorities.

What ARC can offer you

Days Out & Leave

Want to experience a day on the other side? 2 Annual Members badges, giving access to over 500 race days, as well as discounts on hospitality & room rates at ARC venues

Because we value work-life balance we offer an annual leave entitlement starting at 22 days plus bank and public holidays- increasing on your work anniversaries up to 28 days!

Because your health & wellbeing comes first

Company life assurance scheme

Employee Health Cash Plan

Cycle to work scheme

And so much more! We are on a thrilling journey. So, to join us at our next destination, be part of a winning team and to learn more about our company and this exciting opportunity apply today.

At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments, please let us know; we will ensure that individuals with additional needs are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

We understand the value that diversity brings to our business and we are striving to create a working environment that is inclusive, psychologically and physically safe and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions. We are committed to making a consistent, top-down effort to be role models on what diversity, inclusion and belonging means in society.