Head of Operations Optimisation & Strategy

Places for People; Cheltenham; 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 and counselling

Job summary

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data-led resource management across multiple leisure sites in the UK. You will improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure the right colleagues and resources are in place to meet operational and commercial goals.

Travel to sites 2–3 days per week is expected. You will develop robust cost models for refits, bids and growth opportunities while supporting informed investment decisions

Qualifications

• Significant experience in labour planning, workforce management, and operational performance.
• Forecasting operational demand and translating into practical labour plans and costs.
• Experience analysing P&L with cost drivers and actionable plans.
• Proficient with DILO and time-and-motion studies to assess activity and efficiency.
• Advanced Excel and Power BI for modelling and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of data-led resource management across sites.
• Improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting.
• Identify efficiencies and reduce avoidable spend.
• Support cost models for investments and growth opportunities.

Skills

Labour planning

Workforce management

Operational performance

Cost transformation

Operational efficiency

Forecasting

Excel

Power BI

Tools

DILO

Time and motion studies

Job description

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data-led resource management across multiple leisure sites in the UK. You will improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure the right colleagues and resources are in place to meet operational and commercial goals.

Travel to sites 2–3 days per week is expected. You will develop robust cost models for refits, bids and growth opportunities while supporting informed investment decisions