Ops Optimisation Leader — Data-Driven Cost & Capacity

Places for People; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension with matched contributions up

Bonus scheme up to 15%

Option to buy or sell days

Car Allowance

Healthcare cashback plan with private/

Wellbeing support including EAP and GP

Place Rewards discounts

Training & progression opportunities

Recognition programmes (Star/Colleague

Inclusion, wellbeing and engagement

Gym membership to Places Gyms

Life Assurance + will writing services

Job summary

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data-driven resource management and cost control across multiple sites. You will enhance labour planning, scheduling and forecasting, ensuring the right staff and resources align with operational and commercial goals while collaborating with Finance and central teams.

You will identify efficiencies, develop practical cost models, and support growth opportunities through robust payback analyses and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in labour planning, workforce management, operational performance, commercial finance, cost transformation or operational efficiency within a complex, multi-site organisation.
• Forecasting operational demand and translating it into practical labour plans, hours and costs.
• Experience analysing labour and non-labour P&L performance, identifying cost drivers and turning findings into measurable action plans.
• Practical experience using DILO, time and motion studies or equivalent methods to assess operational activity, capacity and efficiency.
• Advanced experience using Microsoft Excel and Power BI to build models, tools and reporting that support commercial and operational decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of smarter, data-led ways of managing resources and operating costs across Places Leisure.
• Improve labour planning, scheduling and forecasting to ensure the right colleagues and resources are in the right place at the right time.
• Identify efficiencies, reduce avoidable spend and develop practical cost models and investment payback assumptions.
• Support refits, bids and growth opportunities by creating robust cost models for investment decisions.
• Travel to Places Leisure sites typically 2 to 3 days per week.

Skills

Labour planning

Workforce management

Operational performance

Commercial finance

Cost transformation

Forecasting

P&L analysis

DILO/time-motion

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, is seeking a Head of Operational Optimisation to lead data-driven resource management and cost control across multiple sites. You will enhance labour planning, scheduling and forecasting, ensuring the right staff and resources align with operational and commercial goals while collaborating with Finance and central teams.

You will identify efficiencies, develop practical cost models, and support growth opportunities through robust payback analyses and