Head of Operational Optimisation — Data-Driven Efficiency

Places for People; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Bonus

Car allowance

Healthcare cashback

Wellbeing support

Employee discounts

Training & progression

Gym membership

Life Assurance

Job summary

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, seeks a Head of Operational Optimisation to drive data-led resource management and cost control across multiple leisure sites. You will improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure the right staff are in the right places to meet operational and commercial goals.

The role involves 2–3 days of travel weekly, collaboration with Finance, Operations, and central teams, and building robust cost models to inform investment decisions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in labour planning, workforce management, and cost transformation.
• Experience forecasting operational demand and translating it into practical labour plans.
• Experience analysing labour and non-labour P&L performance.
• Advanced use of Excel and Power BI for modelling and reporting.

Skills

Labour planning

Forecasting

P&L analysis

DILO / time & motion

Excel & Power BI

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, seeks a Head of Operational Optimisation to drive data-led resource management and cost control across multiple leisure sites. You will improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure the right staff are in the right places to meet operational and commercial goals.

The role involves 2–3 days of travel weekly, collaboration with Finance, Operations, and central teams, and building robust cost models to inform investment decisions.