Operations Manager

Government Recruitment Service; Santon Downham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is recruiting an Operations Manager for Forestry England at High Lodge. The role drives day-to-day recreation operations, facilities, and safety leadership to deliver an outstanding visitor experience.

You will oversee budgets, contracts, and partnerships while promoting a collaborative culture across teams. Based at High Lodge, you will lead a diverse recreation team, manage asset maintenance, and support district-wide strategies.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead and develop recreation operations teams.
• Strong health and safety leadership and compliance experience.
• Experience managing contracts, budgets and partner relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead recreation team including Rangers, Craftsperson, apprentices.
• Act as Duty Manager on a rota including weekends and peak periods.
• Oversee facilities, play areas, trails and visitor infrastructure.
• Manage budgets, income and variances for the High Lodge site.
• Coordinate with external partners and stakeholders on events.
• Ensure health and safety guidance is followed across operations.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Health & safety

Contract oversight

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Events coordination

Job description

High Lodge is one of Forestry England’s flagship outdoor recreation destinations, receiving over 500,000 visitors annually and offering high‑quality facilities, trails, heritage features, play areas, cycling, events, and commercial partnerships.

As the Recreation Operations Manager, you will lead the delivery, management and development of recreation operations across High Lodge and support recreation management across wider beat areas. The role is responsible for day‑to‑day operational excellence, facility and asset management, health and safety leadership, contract oversight, budget management, and developing a positive and inclusive “one‑team” culture.

You will play a central role in ensuring that High Lodge provides an outstanding visitor experience while contributing to the wider East District recreation strategy, commercial growth targets and Forestry England’s values of sustainability, safety, access and wellbeing.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

Leadership & People

• Lead, manage and develop the recreation team (Recreation Rangers, Assistant Rangers, Craftsperson roles, apprentices).
• Provide coaching, direction and support to foster a positive, inclusive and collaborative “one‑team” culture.
• Act as Duty Manager on a rota (including weekends, public holidays, peak visitor periods).
• Promote Forestry England’s values, behaviours and health and safety culture (“Look Out & Look After”). Health, Safety & Compliance .
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety guidance.
• Oversee safe working practices for staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors.
• Lead and support accident investigations, reporting, and corrective actions.
• Maintain safe and compliant recreational facilities including play areas, trails, cycling routes and buildings.

Recreation Operations & Facility Management

• Oversee the day-to-day management and presentation of High Lodge facilities, including buildings, play, trails, heritage and visitor infrastructure.
• Lead building and asset management, facility inspections, audits and civil engineering–related works.
• Maintain High Lodge’s buildings to statutory standards and customer expectations, working with Estates and specialist teams where required.
• Implement district-wide Woodland Access Review actions and manage permissions, unauthorised trails and volunteer activities.

Commercial Management & Business Development

• Identify and develop opportunities for commercial growth while ensuring alignment with sustainable land management principles.
• Manage budgets, monitor income/expenditure and report on variances.
• Oversee delivery of commercial activities contributing towards c.£1.5m of annual income.
• Support the growth and diversification of the recreation business across East District beats.

Contract & Partnership Management

• Lead contract management for recreation-related contracts (e.g., cleaning, vegetation management, gate locking, maintenance).
• Manage contractors’ performance and health & safety compliance.
• Work closely with external partners, concessionaires (e.g. Go Ape), volunteers and stakeholders.
• Achieve value for money through fair, transparent procurement processes.
• Collaborate with the Visitor Services Manager on event development and delivery, including Forestry England–led events (e.g., Forest Live) and externally delivered events.
• Support the planning, permissions, logistics and safe delivery of activities and special events.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams (Sustainable Land Management, Civils, Ecology, Estates, Marketing).
• Represent Forestry England at external meetings where required.
• Provide site information and updates at internal district and national meetings.

And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Operations Manager

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £33,854 to £33,854 a year Hours: Full-time Location: IP27 0TJ Job type: Permanent Posting date: 14 Oct 2026 Closing date: 9 Nov 2026