Operations Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Tetford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension

25 days holiday

STaR discounts

Free parking

Free entry to arboretums

Career development

Sponsorship of professional bodies

Job summary

Forestry England is seeking a permanent Recreation Operations Lead at High Lodge in Thetford Forest to oversee day-to-day operations, facilities and assets, and health and safety across the site. You will align operations with the East District recreation strategy and contribute to commercial targets while delivering an outstanding visitor experience.

The role involves contract oversight, budget management and occasional national travel, with a strong emphasis on building an inclusive one-team

Qualifications

• Ability to speak English accurately, as required by the Immigration Act 2016.
• Interview assessment of leadership, communicating and influencing, managing a quality service, effective decision-making and working together.
• Technical skill assessed at interview.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery, management and development of recreation operations at High Lodge
• Support recreation management across wider beat areas
• Drive day-to-day operational excellence
• Manage facilities and assets
• Lead health and safety
• Oversee contracts
• Manage the budget
• Build a positive, inclusive one-team culture
• Deliver an outstanding visitor experience
• Contribute to the East District recreation strategy
• Help meet commercial growth targets
• Undertake occasional national travel, sometimes with an overnight stay

Skills

English language

Leadership

Communication

Influencing

Decision making

Quality service

Teamwork

Technical skill

Job description

This permanent post leads recreation operations at High Lodge, a flagship outdoor destination in Thetford Forest, and supports recreation management across wider beat areas. The work covers day-to-day operations, facilities and assets, health and safety, contract oversight and budget management. The site receives over 500,000 visitors a year, and the role feeds into the East District recreation strategy and commercial targets. Applicants must speak English accurately and pass criminal record and baseline personnel security checks.

What the job involves

• Lead the delivery, management and development of recreation operations at High Lodge
• Support recreation management across wider beat areas
• Drive day-to-day operational excellence
• Manage facilities and assets
• Lead health and safety
• Oversee contracts
• Manage the budget
• Build a positive, inclusive one-team culture
• Deliver an outstanding visitor experience
• Contribute to the East District recreation strategy
• Help meet commercial growth targets
• Undertake occasional national travel, sometimes with an overnight stay

Skills & knowledge

• Ability to speak English accurately, as required by the Immigration Act 2016
• Interview assessment of leadership, communicating and influencing, managing a quality service, effective decision-making and working together
• Technical skill assessed at interview

Checks & eligibility

• Criminal record check
• Government baseline personnel security standard check

Other

• 200-word statement on relevant experience and career history
• Personal statement of no more than 500 words

What’s offered

• Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days' holiday a year, rising by one day per year of service to 30, plus bank holidays
• STaR scheme offering discounts on shopping, travel, insurance, gym membership and more
• Free parking at Forestry England sites
• Free entry to the National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury
• Career development, continuing professional development and individual learning plans
• Sponsored membership of professional bodies