Head of Operational Optimisation – Data-Driven Efficiency Lead

Places for People; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension with matched contributions up 

Bonus scheme up to 15%

Car Allowance

Healthcare cashback plan

Wellbeing support

Ongoing training and progression

Free gym membership

Life Assurance

Job summary

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data‑driven resource management across its sites. You will improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure the right teams and costs align with operational goals.

Travel to Leisure sites (2–3 days/week) is required. A DBS check is not required. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for career progression.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in labour planning and workforce management.
• Experience forecasting operational demand and translating into labour plans.
• Experience analyzing labour and non-labour P&L performance and turning findings into actions.
• Practical experience using DILO/time-and-motion studies to assess activity and efficiency.
• Advanced Excel and Power BI skills to build models and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Significant experience in labour planning, workforce management and cost transformation within a multi-site organisation.
• Forecasting operational demand and translating it into practical labour plans, hours and costs.
• Analyse P&L performance and identify cost drivers; translate into actions.
• Use DILO/time-and-motion methods to assess activity, capacity and efficiency.
• Build models and reporting in Excel and Power BI to inform decisions.

Skills

Labour planning

Workforce management

Operational performance

Commercial finance

Cost transformation

Operational efficiency

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Job description

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data‑driven resource management across its sites. You will improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure the right teams and costs align with operational goals.

Travel to Leisure sites (2–3 days/week) is required. A DBS check is not required. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for career progression.