Head of Operational Optimisation - Data-Driven Efficiency Lead

Places for People; Bath; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension with matched contributions

Bonus scheme up to 15%

Car Allowance

Healthcare cashback plan

Wellbeing support

Employee discounts

Job summary

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, seeks a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data-driven resource planning and cost management across multiple sites. You will shape labour forecasts, drive efficiency and align investment with payback and customer experience targets.

You will collaborate with operations, finance and central teams, travel 2–3 days weekly, and play a pivotal role in cost transformation and growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in labour planning, workforce management and operational efficiency within a 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 and driving action plans.
• Practical use of DILO, time and motion studies to assess activity, capacity and efficiency.
• Advanced Excel and Power BI for modelling and reporting to support decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of smarter, data-led resource management across sites.
• Improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to meet operational and commercial goals.
• Identify efficiencies and reduce avoidable spend; develop robust cost models for investments.
• Support refits, bids and growth opportunities with realistic payback assumptions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance and central teams to influence leadership decisions.

Skills

Labour planning

Workforce management

Operational performance

Commercial finance

Cost transformation

Operational efficiency

Forecasting

P&L analysis

DILO

Excel

Power BI

Tools

Excel

Power BI

DILO

Job description

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, seeks a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data-driven resource planning and cost management across multiple sites. You will shape labour forecasts, drive efficiency and align investment with payback and customer experience targets.

You will collaborate with operations, finance and central teams, travel 2–3 days weekly, and play a pivotal role in cost transformation and growth initiatives.