Here at The Watercress Line, we are looking for a Business Operations Manager to join our team based in Alresford. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £42,000 - £46,000 per annum plus benefits!
The Watercress Line is a heritage steam railway operated by award-winning volunteers and supported by paid staff, bringing smiles to faces through the beautiful Hampshire countryside for 50 years. It is a not-for-profit organisation funded predominantly from its train operating revenues, and supported by a charity, the Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust.
Benefits you will receive:
- Discounted mainline travel after one year of service
- Discounts at our catering and retail outlets
- Employee Assistance Programme for free personal, legal, emotional and financial support.
About the Business Operations Manager role:
We are looking to recruit a Business Operations Manager who will be accountable for the commercial activities of the Watercress Line and the smooth running of business operations.
Working hours: 40 hours per week (with 30 minutes paid break). On site working with occassional home working. 5 days over 7, regular weekend, evening and holiday working will be required.
Key responsibilities as a Business Operations Manager:
- Being accountable for the delivery of all revenue lines including standard travel; station catering and retail; public and private events, and dining, event and experience trains.
- Managing the process of defining and agreeing the annual activity programme in advance of the budget process to aid forward planning.
- Overseeing the delivery of the marketing strategy
- Managing the sales function across all commercial activities and ensure an active pipeline of group sales activity.
- Reviewing and setting up appropriate commercial and operational systems to ensure the smooth day to day running of the Watercress Line
- Managing the annual budgeting process for all business operations, delegating and mentoring as appropriate
- Ensuring that all capital investment projects are managed to recognised standards
- Assisting the Managing Director in setting the annual business objectives and developing these into the budgets and programmes
- Contributing to strategy planning
- Working to control operational costs and manage resources whilst maintaining standards of productivity.
Skills and experience required as our Business Operations Manager:
- Demonstrable track record of both analytical and commercial thinking.
- The ability to produce, analyse and report on financial information and management accounts
- Proven ability to lead on organisation-scale strategic projects in digital and systems change
- Experience of building compelling business cases, supported with a robust financial case
- Demonstrable track record of leading change in a sensitive and collaborative way
- Demonstrable experience in developing and delivering projects on time and budget.
- Committed to working in fast-paced, agile environments, bringing positivity and optimism
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills
- Effective communication style
- Knowledge of current H&S regulations, particularly in public facing activities
- Good familiarity with an EPOS system at the management level.
- Full Driving Licence
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Business Operations Manager, then please click "apply" now – We'd love to hear from you!