Fixed Term Operations Manager – Travel Hub

Salary: £55,000 – £60,000 + bonus
Contract: Full-time, 40 hours
Duration: Fixed term, ending September 2026
Location: Essex (major travel hub)
Start Date: ASAP

Overview

A major hospitality operator is seeking a strong and resilient Operations Manager to oversee multiple food and beverage concepts within a busy travel hub.

This fixed-term role is designed to bring fresh leadership, deliver operational excellence, and drive change across the business.

The Challenge

This is a demanding environment with long-standing ways of working and established team dynamics.

Change is necessary, but not always easy — so the right candidate must be:

• Resilient – able to face resistance and pushback with confidence.
• Change-focused – willing to challenge old habits and introduce new standards.
• People-oriented – tough when needed, but empathetic and team-driven in approach.
• Operationally sharp – capable of overseeing multiple concepts, ensuring brand standards, guest experience, and team motivation remain consistently high.

This role is not about maintaining the status quo.

It requires someone who can challenge, influence, and lead with conviction, while staying grounded in hospitality values.

Ideal Profile

• Proven experience in multi-site or high-volume hospitality operations.
• A strong leadership presence with a track record of delivering change.
• Comfortable working in environments with legacy challenges.
• Able to build trust quickly while holding teams accountable.
• Experience within a travel hub environment is advantageous but not essential.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a high-impact operational role within a dynamic, fast-moving setting.

It’s suited to someone who thrives on challenge, knows how to shift behaviours, and has the resilience to leave a lasting mark.