Operations Manager

Job title: Operations Manager

Based at: Epsom Downs Racecourse

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

About the role

We have a fantastic opportunity for an operations Manager to join our Epsom Downs Racecourse team delivering across a varied range of activities across our wide portfolio of events and racedays at this iconic sporting venue home of the Derby.

About The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club stages thrilling sporting occasions and live events nationwide including The Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival & The Derby. Owning & operating 15 courses, millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment on racedays and beyond.

As the largest commercial group in British racing, we are guided by our mission to act for the long term good of the sport. Every penny we make goes back into racing to promote excellence within Britain’s second biggest spectator sport. Our people are what makes this possible

At The Jockey Club people are at the heart of what we do and drive our success. We are inclusive and actively seek to attract people with unique backgrounds and perspectives. Diverse, collaborative teams are pivotal to our success and support the potential and growth of all our people.

The Operations Manager will

• Lead operational delivery for The Derby Festival, overseeing temporary facilities, safety & security programs, external resources, and compliance documentation.
• Act as Head of Operations for Epsom Downs Racecourse, supervising Event Managers, Facilities Operatives, and vendors to achieve world-class standards, serving as the premises supervisor.
• Drive Epsom Downs Racecourse toward becoming a centre of operational excellence through strategic planning and robust operational programming.
• Proactively identify risks, implementing swift mitigation measures.
• Ensure smooth delivery of racing and events by fostering cross-department collaboration for efficient, cost-effective operations that exceed customer expectations.
• Align operations with cross-functional team needs, ensuring timely delivery, clear accountability, and adherence to schedules.
• Manage and optimize the operations budget, certifying invoices, controlling costs, and driving profitability.
• Facilitate collaboration and information sharing across teams for streamlined operations.
• Partner with security, stewarding, cleaning, and traffic teams to maintain a high-standard, safe venue for events.
• Ensure all Event Medical, Radio Communications, Control Room, and contingency plans are in place for every event.

Champion Health & Safety requirements, managing site-wide compliance and safety initiatives daily.

About you

• Outstanding communicator with a hands-on approach able to contribute positively and influence business decisions.
• Proven people leader adept at inspiring and leading teams to deliver results.
• Thrives in a team environment collaborating effectively across a varied stakeholder group both internally & externally.
• Commercially savvy and experienced in controlling a sizeable budget.
• Proactive and comfortable taking ownership and responsibility with a hands-on approach.
• Logical thinker comfortable using initiative, identifying risks, and resolving issues.
• Professional Service approach knowledge
• Proven experience in a large events environment

What we offer in return

• All colleagues can go along to any of our race day or music events free of charge – along with 3 friends or family with our TeamPass Ticket scheme.
• An award-winning pension scheme provider with a generous employer contribution
• A healthcare cash back plan enabling you to claim money back on health & wellbeing services.
• 25 days annual leave
• Access to a suite of Learning & Development training resources from renowned providers
• A whole host of other benefits including free eyecare vouchers, a ride to work cycle scheme & discounts across varying retailers & services.

If you think you have everything we’re looking for and more, then we’d love to hear from you. Don’t hang around, our closing date for this vacancy is 29th October but we reserve the right to bring this forward if we have many applications.

This role may be subject to a criminal record check, standard or enhanced DBS check or BHA Suitability Check. By applying you confirm that you are happy for these checks to be carried out.