SEA Operations Manager Kansas , MO

What you'll bring to the team

Job Title:
Operations Manager

Operating Group:
Gateway North America

Division:
Operations

Reports to:
General Manager

Job Level: Manager

Exemption Status:
Exempt

Job Summary: The Operations Manager ensures that every guest enjoys a magical, memorable, world‑class guest experience and that every member of our team embraces and exhibits our company values. The Operations Manager will oversee the efficient, effective, and safe day‑to‑day running of assigned areas of the attraction, while maximizing profitability through a proactive approach to people, process, and vendor management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Meets or exceeds all daily, weekly, monthly, and annual Per Cap, Transaction Value, KPI, and Mystery Visit targets.
• Ensure the Guest Experience Team consistently delivers world‑class experiences to our guests, as evidenced by continuously meeting or exceeding KPI and Mystery Visit targets.
• Deliver initial and ongoing training of Guest Experience Team as required for safe, efficient, and effective operation of assigned areas.
• Work with General Manager to create and implement optimal and compliant labor budgets/schedules for various day‑types and seasonal needs.
• Lead the team to be Guest‑Obsessed, positive, proactive, and FUN.
• Ensure that the highest possible standards of service, cleanliness, technical operation, and safety are adhered to by the team.
• Support and inform General Manager as part of the attraction Senior Leadership Team.
• Achieve/Maintain/Exceed acceptable or better status on Internal Audit, Health and Safety, and other areas.
• Lead by example, particularly on peak trading days, and be able to confidently work every guest facing position in the attraction.
• Trained, willing, and able to serve as manager on duty.
• Takes responsibility for recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training for the Guest Experience Team.
• Understands and clearly communicates KPIs and other success metrics to Guest Experience Team.
• Manages performance and growth of the Guest Experience Team through Personal Development Plans, Appraisals, and Training.
• Monitors the visual appeal and effectiveness of all assigned areas, regularly making improvement recommendations to GM.
• Utilizes Financial Reports, Admission Reports, KPIs, GM input, and Merlin Senior Leadership input to recommend changes and improvements to GM.
• Coaches and Manages Guest Experience Team to provide best‑in‑class guest experience and maximize profit in all assigned areas.
• Demonstrates Merlin Values at every opportunity and requires Guest Experience team to do the same.
• Works closely with Marketing and Sales teams (at GM direction) to deliver operational excellence in support of any events or new exhibits.
• The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive and may require undertaking such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the role.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED. College degree preferred. Minimum three years of service industry experience with three years of management experience required including a visitor attraction, theme park, museum, hotel or theater environment, or equivalent combination of experience and education. Proven ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and multitask as necessary. Extensive knowledge of computers including Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, and Word.

Proven ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and multi-task as necessary. Desire to work in fast‑paced environments. Highly self–motivated strong leader with proven success managing operational teams. Passion for providing excellent experiences to our guests is critical. This combined with excellent communication, negotiation, interpersonal and organizational skills will be vital in driving visitor numbers to the attraction and getting the most out of your team.

Licenses and Certifications Ability to obtain related licensures or certification as may be required to perform the essential function of the position or as required by law.

Travel Requirements:

• May occasionally require local or domestic travel.

Health and Safety: Employee…