Operations Manager

Castlepark; 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 is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day management of all non-animal functions. Located on the Bournemouth seafront, the Oceanarium is a popular aquarium attracting thousands of visitors each year.

This hands-on leadership role requires proactive management to drive operational excellence, lead diverse teams, and ensure an outstanding guest experience at the attraction in Bournemouth.

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.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, and develop all seasonal employees.
• Lead and support operational teams across the attraction.
• Ensure health and safety standards and best practice.
• Oversee cash handling, financial controls, and budgets.
• Drive guest service excellence and enhance 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 and safety

Team leadership

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Customer-focused

Commercial awareness

Decision making

Job description

Overview

Oceanarium Bournemouth is seeking a highly motivated Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day management of all non-animal functions. Located on the Bournemouth seafront, the Oceanarium is a popular aquarium attracting thousands of visitors each year. Owned by Parques Reunidos, we are part of a multinational leisure and attraction operator with attractions across Europe.

Role

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.

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

About you / 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 & Salary

Location: In person • Bournemouth, UK

Salary Range: £32,000–£38,000 per year DOE