About Us
At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! We are the UK's leading social enterprise, dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving communities for both our customers and employees. We do not discriminate based on any protected attribute and we value enthusiasm, motivation, community spirit, respect, and a love of work.
Role Overview
We have two positions available as Regional Operations Directors. In this role you set and deliver the operating strategy for leisure contracts, driving performance against agreed KPIs, profit targets and long‑term business plans. You lead commercial growth by using data and insight to increase footfall, membership and revenue across multiple sites, while ensuring strong operational standards, brand consistency and compliance. You own the customer and client experience, build senior relationships, manage risk and support contract renewals. You develop and lead Area Managers, create a high‑performance culture, manage financial performance, champion digital and transformation initiatives, and drive continuous improvement across operations in partnership with wider support teams.
Key Responsibilities
* Set and deliver operating strategy for leisure contracts.
* Drive performance against KPIs, profit targets and long‑term business plans.
* Lead commercial growth by applying data, insight and digital tools.
* Ensure strong operational standards, brand consistency and compliance.
* Own the customer and client experience, building senior relationships.
* Manage risk and support contract renewals.
* Develop and lead Area Managers, fostering a high‑performance culture.
* Manage financial performance and champion digital and transformation initiatives.
* Drive continuous improvement across operations with support teams.
Essential Criteria
* Experience in a similar role with extensive experience leading large, multi‑site operations within leisure, hospitality or retail environments at a comparable scale.
* Proven accountability for commercial performance, including revenue growth, profit delivery, cost control and KPI achievement.
* Strong leadership capability, with experience developing senior managers, driving high performance and leading through change across geographically dispersed teams.
* Demonstrable ability to use data, insight and digital tools to inform decisions, drive performance and present clearly to senior stakeholders.
* Strong track record of managing client relationships, compliance and operational risk while delivering consistent customer experience and brand standards.
Desired Skills
You bring extensive experience leading large teams in fast‑paced frontline environments such as leisure, hospitality or retail, with responsibility at a similar operational scale. You have strong commercial and financial capability, including accountability for large budgets and profit and loss performance, and you use data and digital tools to make informed decisions and present clear insights to senior leaders. You communicate confidently and credibly at all levels, lead through change with resilience, and adapt your leadership style to motivate and inspire teams across a geographically dispersed operation while building strong internal and external partnerships.
Benefits
* Competitive salary with an annual review.
* Pension with matched contributions up to 7%.
* Excellent holiday package – 38 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave.
* Car allowance.
* Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year.
* Bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%.
* Training and development.
* Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and more.
How to Apply
If you meet the criteria and are ready to take the next step in your career, apply via our simple 5‑minute application process. Upload a CV and a supporting statement that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the role. If you have any questions, please email the recruitment team. We may bring the closing date forward if we receive a large number of quality applications, so we advise you to apply immediately to avoid disappointment.
Diversity & Inclusion
As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and can accommodate reasonable adjustments.
Safeguarding
At Places for People safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm, abuse and neglect. Our robust safeguarding policies require all employees, volunteers and contractors to uphold high standards of safeguarding and accountability. Recruitment includes pre‑employment checks, including DBS checks where applicable.
Armed Forces Covenant
Places for People guarantees an interview for any candidate who is serving or has formerly served in the Armed Forces, being a reservist, veteran, cadet instructor or military spouse/partner and who meets the essential criteria for the role.
Disability Confident
We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and will guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
Neurodivergent
Neurodiverse individuals have highly valuable skills, and we recognise that a traditional interview process sometimes works against them. Neurodiverse applicants who meet the criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
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