Head of Operations

Organisation: Gwella
Salary: £61,243-£68,638 per annum
Location: Flintshire
Contract type
Closing date: 28 June 2026
Job Description: About Gwella

Gwella runs services that play a vital role in our communities, supporting physical activity, learning, social connection, early help and cultural participation.

We are a new organisation, however our team builds on decades of trusted public service, with deep relationships with the communities we serve.

Across Flintshire, those same communities are experiencing pressures linked to health inequality, cost of living, loneliness and ageing infrastructure. In this context, leisure and library services are no longer seen simply as amenities, but places where people stay active, build confidence, access support and remain connected.

Our role is to shape these services so they remain relevant, welcoming and financially resilient, delivering clear social value alongside strong operational and commercial discipline.

Gwella is a trading company wholly owned by Flintshire County Council.

Job Purpose

The Head of Operations is responsible for leading Gwella’s leisure operations, ensuring all are commercially effective, well-managed, customer-focused and compliant.

This includes our leisure centres at Deeside (including its iconic ice rink), Flint, Mold and Buckley.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the post holder will:

• Provide clear leadership across multiple leisure sites, setting and maintaining high standards of performance
• Lead commercial performance across leisure operations, attractions, catering and secondary spend
• Drive consistency of service quality and customer experience
• Oversee day-to-day estate management, maintenance coordination and facilities planning
• Build a positive, capable and motivated operational workforce

This is a senior leadership role within a new organisation, offering the opportunity to help shape the future of leisure, libraries and wellbeing services across Flintshire.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Leadership
Lead our leisure services department. Establish and maintain clear operational standards, processes and accountability. Drive continuous improvement, modernising systems, workflows and ways of working.

Leisure Services Development
Ensure our sports, fitness and swimming programmes are delivered effectively in our centres to the highest possible standards.

Champion the development role of our leisure centres in increasing health, wellbeing and community outcomes.

Play a full role in programme development as part of the wider management team.

Customer Experience
Champion a customer-first culture.

Ensure services are welcoming, inclusive and accessible.

Use insight, feedback and data to improve consistency and satisfaction.

Commercial Performance
Hold profit and loss responsibility for the leisure service.

Lead income generation across fitness, swimming, attractions, hospitality, events, room hire and similar activities.

Coordinate pricing, yield management and operational efficiency.

Work closely with marketing colleagues to align operations with commercial campaigns.

Estate and Facilities
Lead operational estate management, maintenance, compliance and facilities planning.

Contribute to the development and delivery of capital and business development projects.

People and Culture
Build leadership capability and operational confidence across management teams.

Strengthen workforce training, communication and development pathways.

Promote a positive and inclusive working culture aligned with Gwella’s values.

Organisational Leadership
Contribute to strategy, planning and change.

Support the Managing Director in external relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Work closely with colleagues responsible for finance, compliance, performance and policy.
How to apply: To apply for the Head of Operations role, please submit your CV or complete the online application form via the Gwella website: https://gwella.wales/careers/ For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Andrew Bentley, Managing Director. andrew.bentley@gwella.wales