Head of Operational Optimisation: Efficiency Leader

Places for People; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension with matched contributions up

Bonus scheme up to 15%

Option to buy or sell days

Car Allowance

Healthcare cashback plan for everyday}

Wellbeing support including EAP

Access to Our Place Rewards

Training and career progression

Recognition programmes

Inclusion and wellbeing focus

Free gym membership

Life Assurance

Will writing services

Job summary

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data-driven resource management and cost control across our multi-site leisure network. You will optimise labour planning, forecasting and capacity, ensuring the right colleagues and resources are in the right place to meet operational and commercial goals.

You will work with operations, finance and central teams to identify efficiencies, build robust cost models, and support investment decisions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in labour planning and workforce management.
• Experience forecasting demand and translating into labour plans.
• Experience analysing P&L performance and cost drivers.

Responsibilities

• Lead data-led resource planning and cost-optimisation across multiple sites.
• Develop robust cost models to support investment decisions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance and Technology to improve productivity.
• Travel 2–3 days per week to Places Leisure sites.

Skills

Labour planning

Workforce management

Operational performance

Commercial finance

Cost transformation

Operational efficiency

Forecasting

DILO / time and motion studies

Tools

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 and cost control across our multi-site leisure network. You will optimise labour planning, forecasting and capacity, ensuring the right colleagues and resources are in the right place to meet operational and commercial goals.

You will work with operations, finance and central teams to identify efficiencies, build robust cost models, and support investment decisions.