Operations Manager - Somerset

Outdoor Learning; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Institute for Outdoor Learning is seeking a highly motivated individual to lead our Operations team at Mill on the Brue, Bruton. You will manage the Senior Instructor team, coordinate recruitment and inductions, and oversee training and appraisals, ensuring smooth daily operations and top-quality outdoor experiences for groups.

The role demands strong communication, pastoral leadership, and the ability to work across functions with a focus on safety and staff development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years managerial experience.
• Valid First Aid certificate (minimum 16 hours).
• Valid driving licence.
• Enhanced DBS disclosure.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Senior Instructor team, instructors, and group leaders.
• Oversee induction and training of Ops staff and maintain rosters.
• Attend senior instructor and management meetings; oversee appraisals.

Skills

People management

Team leadership

Communication

IT literacy

Job description

Salary:

£35,000 - £39,000 - depending on qualifications and experience + 5% pension contribution

Start Date:

1 st December 2026

Hours:

42 hours per week. Two days off per week. Holiday 31 days (including Christmas & New Year)

Location:

Mill on the Brue, Bruton, Somerset

Contract:

Full time, permanent, after a probationary period of 12 months

• Valid First Aid certificate (minimum 16 hours)
• Valid driving licence
• Expect to be within reasonable driving distance of the Centre for top cover calls or unexpected out of hours emergencies (shared with other members of the management team)
• Enhanced DBS disclosure
• Minimum of 3 years managerial experience

Qualifications:

Two or more of the following:

• SPA/RCI Award
• ML/WGL/Lowland leader award
• Archery GB
• MIA/MIC
• BCU Coach/Assessor

Requirements

• We are looking for a highly motivated individual who demonstrates a wide knowledge, experience and love of the outdoors, both professionally and individually.
• We require a ‘people’ person, an excellent communicator, and someone who has significant experience of managing teams.
• To be successful in this role you need to be conscientious, proactive, organised, trustworthy, reliable, responsible, have a sense of humour and be passionate about delivering your knowledge of the outdoors to others, especially children.
• You must be IT literate and experienced in using spreadsheets and rotas.
• You should be keen to learn more about our environmental practices and help educate and motivate our staff and customers.
• We seek a team player who can engage with members of the management team as well as our wider team.

Key Responsibilities:

Personnel

• Manage the Senior Instructor team, Instructors, any freelance staff & group leaders
• Assist in recruitment & interviewing Operations Team applicants
• Oversee induction & training of all Ops staff
• Maintain jobs lists for Senior Instructors
• Oversee Ops staff, observing performance including recording of absences & any disciplinary process in conjunction with HR
• Attend Senior Instructor meetings
• Manage appraisals for Senior Instructors & Instructors
• Attend management meetings
• Welcome groups
• Follow up any complaints or observations with the Operations team
• Undertake evaluations with visiting groups
• Informally liaise with visiting schools to ensure expectations are met
• Be on duty overnight occasionally and part of top cover for the Centre

Health & Safety

• Ensure awareness of current activity best practice. Regularly review & amend practice/procedure/training accordingly
• Ensure Ops team are recording accidents, near misses & incidents accurately & thoroughly
• Oversee the investigation of accidents, near misses, & incidents as required & implement action plans in response to accidents etc.
• Be a point of call for first aid
• Write/review activity risk assessments, operating procedures & handbooks
• Individually risk assess SEN adaptations where required
• Oversee the inventory of all specialist equipment
• Manage activities in adverse weather
• Liaise with the Technical Advisor (ropes) on staff training
• Responsible for AALA & BAPA applications

Maintenance of equipment

• Ensure all activity areas of MoB are kept to the required standard (safety & aesthetically)
• Maintain any jobs lists & pass any technical jobs to appropriate teams
• Liaise with Maintenance for the purchase of or use of maintenance equipment
• Oversee weekly/monthly/annual equipment checks (known as R’s) & ensure logs are accurate & up to date.
• Ensure stock checks are carried out throughout the financial year

Other

• Hold a budget for activity equipment
• Develop new activities to enhance our programmes
• Lead on developing an Outdoor Instructor Course for November 2027
• Liaising with Sales & Training, HR & Programmes