Operations Manager (Resort Staffing)

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Department: Operations

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Salary: £30,000 - £33,000 (dependent on experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with increased output during peak periods

Location: Manchester (Cheadle) Office-based with some flexibility.

The role

The Operations Manager (Resort Staffing) is responsible for the effective recruitment, training, coordination, and delivery of resort staffing activity across multiple brands in the Powder24 Travel Group. This role provides hands-on leadership to Operations Assistants and Coordinators, supports resort and third-party staffing through the season, and acts as the first point of escalation for resort staffing issues.

The role plays a key part in delivering seamless joined-up logistics by ensuring staffing activity is well organised, issues are identified early, and delivery remains smooth during peak periods. It also supports the ongoing improvement of processes, systems, resort team capabilities, and ways of working within resort staffing, taking a practical and proportionate approach.

Key responsibilities

Operational delivery and coordination

• Support the planning and delivery of resort staffing activity across the season, including reps, resort managers, and third-party staffing partners.
• Ensure day-to-day staffing activity is coordinated effectively, prioritised appropriately, and delivered to agreed timelines.
• Act as the first point of escalation for resort staffing issues, resolving where possible and escalating to senior leadership when required.
• Provide hands-on operational support during peak seasonal periods, recognising the changing demands of the business.

People management

• Line manages Operations Assistants and Coordinators with responsibility for resort staffing.
• Provide clear direction, prioritisation, and support to enable consistent delivery.
• Conduct regular check-ins, provide feedback, and support team development.
• Work closely with other Operations Managers to ensure alignment and consistency across the department.

Resort and third-party staffing

• Contribute to the coordination and oversight of resort staffing models, including the use of third-party suppliers.
• Support the management of consultancy agreements and other legal arrangements relating to the resort team, working with relevant stakeholders as required.
• Support the training and preparation of resort teams ahead of and during the season.
• Work across brands, ensuring a consistent approach while supporting appropriate brand differentiation.

Process, systems, and risk

• Support the maintenance and improvement of processes, tools, and staffing resources used to manage resort staffing.
• Demonstrate a mid-level technical understanding of software, data, Excel/Gsheets, and reporting relevant to staffing and operational delivery.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency within the staffing and delivery model and contribute to practical improvements.
• Support the identification and mitigation of operational risk and unnecessary costs associated with resort staffing.

Collaboration and communication

• Work closely with the Operations Director, other Operations Managers, and relevant teams to ensure joined-up delivery.

• Collaborate with the Head of People on matters related to resort teams, the employee brand, and the flow of talent into permanent roles, where appropriate.
• Communicate clearly and calmly, particularly during periods of pressure, ensuring issues are surfaced early and managed effectively.

What success looks like

• Reduced operational issues and fewer escalations relating to resort staffing.
• Effective coordination of resort staffing activity across all brands throughout the season.
• Operations Assistants and Coordinators feel supported, clear on priorities, and able to deliver consistently.
• Staffing processes and resources are used effectively and pragmatically.
• Resort staffing activity supports wider operational delivery across the business.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Experience working in an operational environment, ideally within travel, events, or a seasonal business.
• Proven ability to manage and support team members in a delivery-focused role.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrable technical capability, with confidence using staffing systems, databases, and reporting tools, and the ability to adopt new software or process changes.
• Comfortable using data to track activity, identify issues, and support operational decision-making.
• Calm, solution-focused approach to problem solving and escalation.
• Comfortable and confident public speaker, capable of engaging and influencing groups of varying sizes, and formats (digital and in-person)

Desirable

• Experience working with seasonal or overseas staffing models.
• Experience supporting third-party suppliers or contractors.
• Exposure to operational risk management in a live delivery environment.

Working pattern

Powder24 is the platform behind a portfolio of specialist travel brands. While each brand operates independently, our operations teams work collaboratively across the group to deliver high-quality experiences.

This role is office-centric, with increased output during peak seasons. The nature of ski travel operations means that some evening, weekend, or peak-period work may be required, balanced by quieter periods at other times of the year.

What you'll get with us:

• Competitive salary plus bonus of up to 15%
• Legendary all-expenses-paid Team Ski trip, open to everyone
• Generous travel perks, including staff, friends and family discounts and Powder24 travel credit
• Long service rewards, including additional annual leave
• Mental health support with confidential counselling through Spill
• Fitness, wellbeing, and lifestyle perks via WellHub
• A strong social calendar and team events throughout the year
• Clear development opportunities, exposure to senior leaders, and support to grow your career
• A supportive, down-to-earth culture where people genuinely look out for each other

Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity:

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We believe in treating everyone with dignity, consideration, and fairness. We encourage and welcome all applicants to apply, regardless of background or identity.