Merlin Entertainments
Head of Park Operations
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Location: Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NE
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent, salaried
About the Role
We are recruiting for a Head of Park Operations to lead the day-to-day operation of our Theme Park, ensuring we deliver safe, efficient, and unforgettable guest experiences while achieving ambitious operational and commercial objectives.
Reporting to the Resort Operations and Experience Director, you will provide strategic leadership across guest-facing operations, including rides, admissions, guest services, and queue management.
This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a balance of operational excellence, commercial awareness, and people leadership. You will be responsible for driving performance across guest satisfaction, ride availability, throughput, revenue generation, and team engagement, while championing a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Working collaboratively across the resort, lead and develop a high-performing management team.
- Influence operational strategy, support the delivery of new attractions and experiences, and ensure our park remains at the forefront of industry best practice.
- Play a key role in incident management and operational readiness, providing senior leadership during critical situations when required.
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Qualifications & Experience
- Significant leadership experience within high-volume, guest-facing operations such as theme parks, visitor attractions, leisure, or hospitality environments.
- Proven experience leading large, multi-functional teams, including senior leaders and frontline colleagues.
- Strong operational management expertise with a focus on safety, guest experience, and operational excellence.
- Experience delivering safety compliance within a regulated environment.
- Demonstrated success in improving guest satisfaction, operational performance, and commercial results.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience driving revenue growth and operational efficiency.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
- Ability to use operational, guest, and financial data to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement.
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across a wide range of teams and partners.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term planning and day-to-day operational delivery.
- Degree or relevant professional qualification is desirable.
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Benefits
- A competitive annual salary
- 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- ‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Passes - 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
- Merlin Magic Pass - 20 free tickets for you, your family, and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year’s service
- Company bonus
- Private pension scheme
- 40% discount online off LEGO
- 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Plus, many more…
Pay Range
Competitive
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