Operations Manager

Parques Reunidos; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted or free food

Employee discount

Private medical insurance

Sick pay

Job summary

Oceanarium Bournemouth, part of Parques Reunidos, is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee all non-animal functions, lead teams, and deliver an outstanding guest experience. This hands-on leadership role requires weekend work and availability during school holidays.

Reporting to the UK Director, you will recruit and develop seasonal staff, manage health and safety, budgets, facilities and retail operations, and take full responsibility in the director's absence.

Qualifications

• Experience in visitor attractions, leisure, hospitality, or tourism.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety management.
• Experience leading diverse teams.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Customer-focused with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance operational efficiency with visitor satisfaction.
• Decisive with ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, and develop seasonal staff.
• Lead operational teams across the attraction.
• Ensure health and safety compliance.
• Oversee cash handling, financial controls, budgets.
• Drive guest service and visitor experience.
• Manage facilities, maintenance and cleaning operations.
• Monitor visitor satisfaction and implement improvements.
• Support commercial performance and profitability.
• Oversee Admissions, Retail, and Catering.
• Take full operational responsibility in the absence of the UK Director.

Skills

Management experience

Health & safety

Team leadership

Organisational skills

Customer focus

Commercial awareness

Decision making

Communication skills

Job description

Role Type

Permanente

Title

Operations Manager

Company Overview

At Oceanarium, we aim to ensure that all of our visitors experience a fantastic day out. It’s not just about the amazing attraction and all it has to offer, each member of our team plays a part in making this happen. Oceanarium is part of Parques Reunidos, one of the leading leisure park global operators, with more than 30 different assets (theme parks, zoos and marine parks, water parks and other attractions), spread out over various countries across Europe. Located on the iconic Bournemouth seafront, the Oceanarium is a popular aquarium attraction welcoming thousands of visitors every year. Owned by Parques Reunidos, one of the world's largest leisure and attraction operators, we are part of an international organisation with attractions across Europe.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the UK Director, the Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing the daily operation of all non‑animal functions within the attraction. This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring a proactive individual who can drive operational excellence, lead teams, and ensure an outstanding guest experience. The role is open everyday except for Christmas day and requires weekend work and availability during school holidays.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing recruitment, training, and development of all seasonal employees
• Leading and supporting operational teams across the attraction
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety standards and best practice
• Overseeing cash handling, financial controls, and operational budgets
• Driving guest service excellence and enhancing the visitor experience
• Managing facilities, maintenance and cleaning operations
• Monitoring visitor satisfaction and implementing continuous improvements
• Supporting the ongoing commercial performance and profitability of the business
• Providing leadership and oversight of the Admissions, Retail, and Catering departments
• Taking full operational responsibility for the attraction in the absence of the UK Director

Qualifications

• Proven management experience within the visitor attraction, leisure, hospitality, or tourism sector
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of health and safety management
• Experience leading, motivating, and developing diverse teams
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A customer‑focused approach with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance operational efficiency with visitor satisfaction
• Confidence in making decisions and managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment

Benefits

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Location

In person

Salary

£32,000-£38,000 per year DOE