Staffing Manager (People Operations Manager)
Ascot (Seasonal)
Fixed Term 6 months, Start date July 2026
Company Overview
Founded in 2007 by Mike and Alison Battle, Lapland began with a simple but powerful purpose: to honour the wonder of childhood at Christmas. Frustrated by the poor quality of festive experiences available for their own four boys, the Battles set out to elevate this moment of childhood and reimagine the Father Christmas myth through original storytelling, meticulous set design, and emotionally resonant live theatre.
Their ground‑breaking immersive show opened in 2007 and immediately captured the attention and hearts of parents nationwide. Powered by their purpose, the couple partnered with Hollywood set designers and West End performance professionals to produce an experience of unprecedented quality and detail. With an NPS of 72 (outperforming industry icons in the entertainment space), Lapland’s customer loyalty is second to none and has now welcomed nearly 2 million ‘believers,’ with tickets selling out on release for what the press now terms ‘the Glastonbury of Christmas.’
Today, the Lapland Group is a fast‑growing purpose‑driven entertainment business spanning the three pillars of Live, Product and Studios.
In 2024, Lapland’s eCommerce revenues grew tenfold, driven by the launch of magical at‑home products like personalised Letters from Lapland… (Advent calendar and soon, a Christmas Eve Experience?). These products extend the Lapland world into the home, deepening belief and connection beyond the physical experience. At the same time, our original story universe continues to scale through media. In 2023, Lapland launched its first podcast, Elfcast, which achieved No. 1 in the UK Family Charts and ranked in the global top 10 over Christmas. With plans to expand into audio and content year‑round, our IP and characters are reaching audiences in new and emotionally resonant ways.
With immersive Live experiences, high‑growth eCommerce, and a rapidly expanding original content, Lapland is on a mission to become the definitive global Christmas brand anchored in belief, storytelling, and the enduring magic of childhood.
Location
Ascot (Swinley Forest)
Reports to
People Operations Manager (HO)
Role Overview
The People Operations Manager – Ascot at Lapland UK will play a pivotal role in shaping company culture and ensuring the success and well‑being of our seasonal team members. The role will oversee all aspects of human resources and people operations for the Ascot live show, with a focus on recruitment, employee engagement, reward & recognition during the live shows. It will report to the People Operations Manager (Head Office) and requires a proactive individual who can foster a positive, inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.
Key Responsibilities
The People Operations Manager (Ascot) is responsible for the seasonal workforce for the Ascot live show, covering all departments and leading the pre‑event work on recruitment & training, moving into on‑site management & delivery. Managing a team of departmental schedulers & administrators, and working closely with operational managers once live.
Driving the recruitment strategy for the event season, working closely with the resourcing team, and ensuring a seamless recruitment process and hitting target numbers on a weekly basis.
Organising assessment centres / audition sessions, collaborating with the resourcing team and show operations team to achieve targets and KPIs.
Role Requirements
TALENT ACQUISITION & RECRUITMENT
* Manage the end‑to‑end recruitment process for the seasonal workforce, from processing candidates to conducting interviews and making offers.
* Sift & schedule interviews for key management positions in conjunction with Heads of departments.
* Collaborate with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and ensure timely fulfilment of positions.
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT & RETENTION
* Design and implement programs to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
* Conduct regular surveys and feedback sessions to gauge employee morale and identify areas for improvement.
* Develop and implement retention strategies to minimise turnover and foster a culture of loyalty and commitment.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
* Implement performance management systems and processes to evaluate employee performance and drive continuous improvement.
* Provide coaching and support to managers on performance‑related issues, including goal setting, feedback, and performance reviews.
* Identify opportunities for professional development and training to help employees reach their full potential.
HR POLICIES & COMPLIANCE
* Maintain HR policies and procedures in compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices.
* Ensure adherence to labour laws and regulations, including but not limited to employment contracts, wage and hour laws, and workplace safety standards.
Serve as a resource for employees on HR‑related matters and provide guidance on policy interpretation and compliance.
DURING THE LIVE SHOW PERIOD
* Address queries, escalating as needed to the Head of People Operations.
* Ensure HR policies are applied and supervise the event HR team for compliance.
* Act as the first point of escalation for HR or other departmental managers, working with an external HR Advisor where extra support or guidance is needed.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
* General understanding of common HR rules & requirements relating to temporary workers.
* Previous experience working in a People Operations or Workforce role within events, theatre or visitor attraction environment.
* Comfortable with being first point of contact for employees in person and online, often handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Proficient in Windows & Microsoft applications, as well as comfortable using various staffing & scheduling systems.
* Experience in payroll, scheduling, and management of teams.
* Experience in drafting and reporting, analysing documents and managing suppliers/contractors.
* Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
Salary – £45,000 to £48,000 pro rata
* Flexible hybrid working (weekly assessment centre sessions at Camberley Theatre from mid‑August, with working from home on the other days; moving to site at the start of November)
* Holiday paid at the end of contract
* Free daily on‑site meal once based on‑site for the live show
* Staff car parking & shuttle bus service from Ascot Train Station to site
Applicants must be authorised to work in the United Kingdom without the need for visa sponsorship.
Lapland reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any time. Due to the high number of applications being received, we may not be able to respond to every applicant.
Lapland is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.
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