Catering Time jobs in Matlock

UK Operations Manager – East

£50,000 per annum | Pool car | Share options | Employee-owned business

Multi-site role covering Derbyshire, Norfolk and the Isle of Wight

Join Manor Adventure at the start of an exciting new chapter

For more than 35 years, Manor Adventure has been creating residential adventure experiences for schools across the UK and Europe.

We are now entering the next chapter in our history as an employee-owned business, giving our people an even greater connection to the long-term success and future of Manor Adventure.

We are looking for an experienced and highly capable UK Operations Manager – East to 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

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a senior, hands-on operational leadership role with significant responsibility and influence across the business.

The Role

You will provide leadership and operational oversight across all three centres, working closely with Centre Leadership Teams and central support functions to ensure we continue to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality residential adventure experiences.

This role requires someone who is comfortable moving between strategic oversight and practical involvement on the ground. You will spend regular time at each centre, building strong relationships with our teams, assessing standards, resolving issues and supporting Centre Managers to deliver consistently excellent operations.

Manor Adventure has a strong culture and well-established operating procedures developed over more than three decades. We are looking for someone who can understand and strengthen what already works while identifying practical opportunities to improve.

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

Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership

• Take overall responsibility for operational performance, safety and quality across the East Region.
• Develop strong, supportive and accountable relationships with Centre Leadership Teams.
• Ensure company policies, procedures and operational standards are applied consistently.
• Maintain a high-quality adventure product and customer experience.
• Spend regular time within each centre, reviewing standards and supporting teams on the ground.
• Take ownership of operational challenges and deliver practical, solutions-focused support.
• Work closely with the UK Operations Manager – West to share best practice and maintain consistency across Manor Adventure.
• Provide regular operational reporting and insight to the Managing Director.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company operating procedures, risk assessments and safety standards.
• Maintain required external accreditations, including AALA and LotC.
• Coordinate Technical Advisor visits, specialist advice and accreditation requirements.
• Liaise with Catering, Maintenance and other teams on health and safety matters.
• Oversee incident management and statutory reporting.
• Ensure relevant industry best practice is understood and consistently applied.

People & Leadership

• Support Centre Managers and leadership teams to achieve consistently high standards.
• Support recruitment, interviews and workforce planning.
• Ensure appropriate qualifications, NGB requirements and training standards are maintained.
• Coordinate staff training and development.
• Work with HR on employee welfare, performance and disciplinary matters where required.
• Help develop a positive, professional and accountable culture across the centres.
• Lead by example and build strong relationships at every level of the operation.

Customer Experience

• Support centres with complex bookings, customer queries and complaints where required.
• Ensure consistently professional communication and excellent customer service.
• Help maintain the standards that encourage schools to return to Manor Adventure year after year.

Financial & Resource Management

• Support procurement and supplier management.
• Oversee equipment ordering and external servicing requirements.
• Support centres in managing budgets and resources effectively.
• Ensure expenditure is appropriately controlled and authorised.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency without compromising quality or safety.

About You

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

Current or recent experience within the outdoor adventure industry would be a strong advantage. Experience within outdoor activities, residential centres, leisure, tourism, hospitality or another complex multi-site operational environment would also be highly relevant.

Experience involving any of the following would be particularly valuable:

• Multi-site operational management
• Outdoor or residential activity delivery
• Seasonal or high-volume staffing
• Safety and risk management
• NGB qualifications
• AALA, LotC or similar external accreditation
• Staff training and development
• Budget and resource management

Above all, we are looking for someone with the judgement, leadership ability and practical mindset to work successfully within the Manor Adventure environment.

You will be:

• A strong leader - able to support, motivate and challenge leadership teams.
• Operationally experienced - able to turn strategy into practical action.
• Safety focused - confident maintaining high standards and challenging where necessary.
• People focused - able to build strong relationships and develop those around you.
• Commercially aware - comfortable working with budgets, procurement and operational resources.
• A problem solver - someone who takes ownership and finds solutions.
• Practical and hands-on - comfortable spending significant time within the centres and understanding the operation first-hand.
• Organised and accountable - able to manage three locations, competing priorities and senior-level reporting.

What We Offer

• £50,000 per annum
• Pool car for business travel
• Share options following successful completion of the qualifying period
• Senior responsibility for three established adventure centres
• Direct reporting to the Managing Director
• Significant autonomy and influence
• The opportunity to work with and develop experienced Centre Leadership Teams
• The chance to join Manor Adventure at the beginning of its employee-owned future
• A genuine opportunity to help shape the next stage of a successful, established business

Why Join Manor Adventure Now?

Becoming employee owned marks an important milestone for Manor Adventure.

It allows us to remain independent, protect the culture and values that have made the business successful and ensure our people have an even greater connection to its future.

As UK Operations Manager - East, you will become a key member of the senior operational team at an important point in our development.

You will have genuine responsibility for three major centres, work directly with the Managing Director and have the opportunity to influence how Manor Adventure develops and grows in the years ahead.

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

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on a senior operational leadership role and help shape the next chapter of Manor Adventure as an employee-owned business, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience, why you are interested in the role, and what you believe you could bring to Manor Adventure.

Applications should be sent to:

Adrian Bishop
Email: Adrianhr@manoradventure.com

Closing date: 20 October 2026

JOIN US AS WE BEGIN OUR NEXT CHAPTER

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

Pay: £50,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

• Do you have previous management experience within outdoor education, residential activity centres, school residentials, outdoor adventure or a closely related sector?
• How many years’ management experience do you have within outdoor education, residential activity centres, school residentials or the outdoor adventure sector?

Work Location: In person