UK Operations Manager, East

Manor Adventure; Cromford CP; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pool car

Share options

Employee-owned growth

Direct reporting

Senior responsibility

Team development

Autonomy

Influence on future

Job summary

Manor Adventure is seeking an experienced UK Operations Manager – East to lead three established adventure centres and drive safety, quality and growth. Reporting to the Managing Director, you’ll shape regional operations, build strong Centre Leadership Teams and ensure the delivery of exceptional adventure experiences.

This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership across Willersley Castle, Norfolk Lakes and the Isle of Wight Centre, requiring a pragmatic, people-focused leader

Qualifications

• The person we are looking for is an experienced operational leader with strong people management and safety focus.
• Experience in outdoor adventure industry and multi-site operations is highly relevant.
• Leadership ability to mentor Centre Leadership Teams and drive standards.

Responsibilities

• Take full accountability for operational performance, safety and quality across the East Region.
• Develop strong and supportive relationships with Centre Leadership Teams.
• Ensure consistent delivery of company policies, procedures and standards.
• Maintain a high-quality adventure product and customer experience.
• Lead by example and share best practices with the West region.

Job description

A New Chapter for Manor Adventure

Manor Adventure is entering an exciting new chapter in its evolution, as an employee-owned trust.

For more than 35 years, Manor Adventure has built its success on strong leadership, committed people, an established culture and tried-and-tested operating procedures.

Our move to an employee-owned trust marks an important milestone in the history of the business. It creates an opportunity for our people to play an even greater part in the future success of Manor Adventure and to build on the foundations established over the last three and a half decades.

We are now looking for an exceptional UK Operations Manager – East to join us at this exciting stage of our development.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take responsibility for the operational performance, safety, quality and development of three of our established adventure centres:

• Willersley Castle – Cromford, Derbyshire
• Norfolk Lakes – Lyng, Norfolk
• Isle of Wight Centre – Bembridge, Isle of Wight

The Role

This is a key operational leadership position, combining strategic oversight with a strong hands‑on presence within the centres.

You will work closely with the Managing Director, Centre Leadership Teams and central support functions to ensure that our centres continue to deliver safe, efficient and high‑quality adventure experiences.

You will work within the existing Manor Adventure ethos, culture and tried-and-tested procedures that have contributed to the company's success over more than three decades.

This is not a role for someone looking to change things for the sake of change. We want someone who can understand what already works, support our existing leadership teams, maintain high standards and identify sensible opportunities for improvement.

Protect what works. Improve what can be improved. Help shape our future.

Your Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Take full accountability for operational performance, safety and quality across the East Region.
• Develop strong and supportive relationships with Centre Leadership Teams.
• Ensure consistent delivery of company policies, procedures and standards.
• Maintain a high‑quality adventure product and customer experience.
• Work collaboratively with the UK Operations Manager – West to share best practice and ensure consistency across the wider business.
• Represent Manor Adventure and the interests of the Managing Director and Directors professionally and positively.
• Take ownership of issues and provide practical, solutions‑focused support.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with operating procedures and risk assessments.
• Maintain required external accreditations, including AALA and LotC.
• Liaise with Catering and Maintenance teams on HSE matters.
• Manage incidents and statutory reporting.
• Ensure industry best practice is applied consistently.

People & Leadership

• Support recruitment and interviews.
• Ensure appropriate qualifications and NGB requirements are maintained.
• Support HR with welfare and disciplinary matters.
• Advise Centre Managers on HR matters.
• Organise staff training and development.
• Ensure training requirements are met.
• Help develop a positive, professional and accountable culture.

Customer Experience

• Support teams with complex bookings, customer queries and complaints.
• Ensure professional customer communication and consistently high service standards.

Centre Operations

• Spend regular time at each centre.
• Walk the operation and assess standards.
• Build relationships with Centre Leadership Teams and staff.
• Lead by example.
• Maintain safety, presentation and operational standards.
• Resolve issues and provide practical support.
• Identify opportunities for development and improvement.

Procurement & Financial Management

• Support procurement and supplier management.
• Manage equipment ordering and external servicing.
• Support budget adherence and effective use of resources.
• Ensure expenditure is properly authorised.

Training, Development & Continuous Improvement

• Coordinate staff training and development.
• Review operational performance and identify opportunities to improve the business.
• Coordinate Technical Advisor visits, specialist advice and accreditation support where required.
• Provide regular reporting and operational insight to the Managing Director.

The Person

We are looking for an experienced operational leader who is confident managing people, standards and multiple locations.

Current operational experience within the outdoor adventure industry would be a clear advantage. Experience of working within outdoor activities, adventure centres, residential centres, leisure, tourism or a similar operational environment would be highly relevant.

Experience involving multi‑site operations, seasonal staffing, activity delivery, safety management, NGB qualifications or external accreditation would be particularly valuable.

However, above all, we are looking for someone with the leadership ability, operational experience, judgement and personality to work successfully within the Manor Adventure environment.

• A strong leader – able to motivate, support and challenge Centre Leadership Teams.
• Operationally experienced – understands how to run successful operations and translate strategy into practical action.
• Safety focused – has the confidence to maintain high standards and challenge where necessary.
• People focused – able to build excellent relationships and develop the people around them.
• Commercially aware – understands budgets, procurement, resources and operational efficiency.
• A problem solver – does not simply identify problems but takes ownership and finds solutions.
• Practical and hands‑on – comfortable being in the centres and involved in the operation.
• Organised and accountable – able to manage three centres, competing priorities and regular reporting to the Managing Director.

What We Offer

• £50,000 per annum
• Pool car for business travel
• Share options following successful completion of the qualifying period
• The opportunity to join an employee‑owned business at an exciting stage in its evolution
• Direct reporting to the Managing Director
• Senior responsibility for three established adventure centres
• The opportunity to work with and develop experienced Centre Leadership Teams
• A hands‑on role with genuine autonomy and influence
• The opportunity to help shape the future of Manor Adventure.

Why Join Us Now?

The timing of this appointment is important. As an employee‑owned business, we are creating a culture where our people have an even greater connection to the long‑term success of Manor Adventure.

As UK Operations Manager – East, you will have the opportunity to become a key part of this journey, working directly with the Managing Director and alongside our existing leadership team.

You will have genuine responsibility for three centres and the opportunity to influence how we develop and grow while retaining the values and operational standards that have served Manor Adventure so well.

This is more than an operations role. It is an opportunity to help lead the next chapter of a 35‑year success story.

Closing date: 20 October 2026

JOIN US AS WE BEGIN OUR NEXT CHAPTER

Employee owned. 35+ years of experience. A future full of adventure.