Head of Operations

Head of Operations

Location: On-site at Kirkliston, EH29 9ER

Sector: Family Visitor Attraction / Seasonal Festival Events

Hours: 40 hours per week with evening and weekend working during events.

Reporting to: Managing Director

Executive Level: Senior Leadership Team

Salary: £50k - £55k + performance bonus

About Us

Conifox Adventure Park is entering its most ambitious phase of growth.

With 250,000 annual visitors and a clear plan to exceed 400,000, we are scaling from a successful regional attraction into Scotland’s most compelling seasonal event destination.

To deliver that growth, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to professionalise systems, elevate standards, and execute high-volume seasonal events at scale.

This is not a maintenance role.

This is a build-and-scale role.

You will sit on the Senior Leadership Team and play a critical part in shaping how Conifox grows over the next three years.

Conifox comprises of four operational departments:

·        Adventure Park : Outdoor and indoor play experiences

·        Events : High-volume seasonal festivals and immersive experiences

·        Hospitality : Multi-outlet food & beverage operations

·        Estates : Infrastructure, compliance and site services

Our seasonal events portfolio includes major events Easter, Iconic Festival, FoxFest, Pumpkin Days, Fireworks Nights, Terror Scream Park and Christmas attracting tens of thousands of visitors per event.

We have invested heavily in infrastructure, systems and capability to support this expansion.

The Role

The Head of Operations will lead operational excellence across the entire site while project-managing the build and live delivery of major seasonal events.

You will oversee departmental managers across Adventure Park, Events, Hospitality, Estates Maintenance and Marketing, ensuring operational discipline, commercial performance and safe execution.

This is a visible, hands-on leadership role requiring strong site presence during live trading and event periods reducing the need for Managing Director intervention.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily operational performance by setting, recording and monitoring operational standards across presentation, cleanliness, signage, safety and visitor facilities.
• Embedding world-class guest experience standards by maintaining a visible presence across the site during live operations and events.
• Working collaboratively with department managers to set and maintain standards, plan builds by setting achievable timescales and budgets.
• Ensuring full Health & Safety compliance by putting into practice safety consultants’ advice.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Provide operational oversight and consistency of health and safety practices across the site.
• Lead and support Department Managers in maintaining safe systems of work and compliance documentation.
• Monitor safety standards through site presence, drills and incident reviews.
• Coordinate fire drills, emergency planning and learning reviews alongside Department Managers.
• Act as the designated responsible person on site in the absence of MD.
• Ensure incidents and accidents are recorded, investigated and followed up with actions assigned appropriately
• Challenge unsafe practices and escalate unresolved risks
• Coordinate contractor safety, servicing and statutory compliance

Event Delivery

• Project manage the delivery of major seasonal events by working with the MD and events manager to design and plan successful builds.
• Ensure events and associate infrastructure are designed with optimal visitor flow and convenience in mind.
• Maintain practical operational systems, checklists and procedures that support live delivery.
• Ensure procedures are followed and evidenced consistently
• Supporting Departmental Managers to formulate optimal staffing plans.
• Support managers with P&L accountability.
• Support cost-aware operational decisions without reducing standards.
• Ensuring events launch on time and operate smoothly with effective team and external supplier management.

Capital Projects & Infrastructure

• Translating creative concepts into organised and achievable project plans.
• Managing contractors and associated timelines.
• Delivering builds on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Ensuring operational readiness before launch ensuring sufficient rehearsal time.

Leadership & Culture

• Leading and inspiring department heads to deliver operational excellence that exceeds visitors’ expectations.
• Fostering a culture of accountability and performance.
• Support departmental teams with live issues and decision-making.
• Acting as a calm force during peak trading periods.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a commercially sharp, highly organised senior operator with experience in:

• Visitor attractions, live events, hospitality, theme parks or large-scale leisure environments.
• Project management experience.
• Leading multi-department operational teams.
• Holding P&L responsibility.

You will be:

• Organised and professional.
• Calm and decisive under pressure.
• Comfortable leading during peak trading intensity.
• Energised by growth and operational transformation.

What Success Looks Like

Within 12 months you will have:

• Clear planning systems in place for all major seasonal events.
• Embed and track clear operational KPIs.
• Delivered a major seasonal event flawlessly.
• Completed a capital project on time and on budget.
• Improved efficiency and margin.

Package

• Competitive salary.
• Performance-linked bonus.
• 28 days of annual leave.
• Senior leadership influence.
• Opportunity to shape a growing attraction brand.