Operations Manager

About the role We have a fantastic opportunity for an Operations Manager to lead our Newmarket Training Grounds team to deliver the highest standard of operations, maintenance and presentation of the Training Grounds, including all-weather, grass gallops and canters and the wider Jockey Club Estate. 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 course’s, millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food, and entertainment on raceday’s 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 Jockey Club Estates (JCE) is the property and land management arm of The Jockey Club Group, managing substantial and diverse property portfolio, providing 1 st class racehorse training facilities as well as hospitality in the historic Jockey Club Rooms 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 Plan, prioritise and deliver weekly, seasonal and long-term maintenance programmes to ensure safe, consistent and high-quality training surfaces year-round. Monitor ground conditions and weather patterns adjusting maintenance and usage to protect horse welfare and optimise training availability. Lead, motivate and develop the grounds team with responsibility for staff rotas, training, competency management, performance reviews and annual appraisals. Work closely with the Head of Operations and specialists to improve turf health, drainage and overall gallop performance. Proactively maintain artificial training surfaces, ensuring they meet performance, health & safety and consistency standards. Ensure all machinery, vehicles and equipment are maintained, serviced and fit for purpose, managing repairs, servicing schedules and replacement parts. Lead all Health and Safety activity across the training grounds ensuring compliance with legislation and safe working practices as detailed in the Company’s Health and Safety Policy and procedures. Ensure all staff are trained and competent in the safe operation of machinery and equipment. Keep comprehensive records including COSHH data, weather monitoring, ground condition reports, maintenance plans, training and H and Safety documentation. Maintain strong professional working relationships with trainers, jockeys and their representatives. Enforce the consistent and fair usage of training grounds regulations and protocols. Support the Head of Operations in budget planning, cost control and the delivery of capital and improvement projects. Coordinate contractors, consultants and visitors to the training ground including managing access and ensuring work is competed safely and efficiently. About you. IOSH qualified with a full, valid driving license. Thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation. Good knowledge of Turf husbandry and irrigation systems. A role model for professionalism, leadership and organisational values. Relevant experience leading a large team to include motivation, training and development. Team player with a can-do attitude to problem solving. 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 4 th March 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.