Children’s Fairyland is seeking a dynamic and hands-on Operations Manager to help ensure a seamless, safe, and magical experience for every guest who walks through our gates. This role is responsible for overseeing daily park operations, supporting and developing frontline teams, and driving operational excellence across staffing, systems, and guest services.

The Operations Manager serves as a key leader on weekends as Manager on Duty (MOD), partners cross-functionally to support events and programs, and plays a critical role in building a strong, engaged, and high-performing team culture.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Team Leadership & People Management

• Oversee performance management for Specialists, Leads, and Park Ambassadors, including conducting regular performance reviews
• Leads department-wide communications, including development and distribution of the staff guide, monthly newsletter and lineup talking points to ensure clear, consistent messaging
• Foster a positive team culture through staff recognition and engagement initiatives
• Address employee relations matters, including coaching and disciplinary actions, in partnership with HR
• Support hiring efforts, including interviewing and onboarding new team members
• Co-develop and implement staff training programs to ensure consistency and excellence in guest service 

Daily Operations & Park Management

• Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD) on weekends (Saturday–Sunday), overseeing daily park operations and ensuring a safe, efficient, and guest-focused environment
• Manage staff scheduling and daily staffing plans to meet operational needs and attendance levels
• Ensure staff and guests comply with CFL park policies and regulations 
• Act as primary point of contact for café operations within the park
• Support cash handling procedures and accountability in partnership with the operation specialist; responsible for weekly bank runs

Systems & Administrative Oversight

• Serve as an internal expert and administrator for Tessitura, including data entry, reporting, and troubleshooting system issues
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of guest, sales, and operational data
• Identify and resolve system-related challenges to support smooth front-line operations

Operational Planning & Logistics

• Oversee supply ordering and inventory management, maintaining appropriate stock levels and managing purchasing within budget
• Support execution of family programming and evening events, ensuring operational readiness and staffing 

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• 5+ years of experience in operations, hospitality, attractions, or a related field
• 3+ years of proven experience managing teams of ten (10) people or more, including performance management and employee relations
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Experience with scheduling, staffing, and high-volume guest environments
• Comfort working with CRM or ticketing systems (experience with Tessitura is a plus)
• Ability to work weekends and support occasional evening events
• Associate’s Degree or equivalent
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to work in a multi-faceted, fast paced, customer-facing environment
• Intermediate level computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel and Google Workspace application suite
• Experience with POS systems and cash handling procedures
• Flexible and adaptable to constantly changing and/or challenging situations including weather, crowd size, staff shortages, occasionally having to work past scheduled hours
• Possession of a clear background history with no barriers to working with children
• Current Infant/Child/Adult First Aid & CPR Certification

Personal Attributes/Values

• People-orientation- able to interact effectively, politely, and productively with all types of people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of situations. Comfortable working with non-English speaking and culturally diverse stakeholders
• Professional maturity to manage composure during stressful interactions
• Energetic, diplomatic, adaptable and with a good sense of humor.
• Passionate about the mission, vision, and goals of Fairyland and possess an understanding of how this position contributes to the organization’s success. 
• Strong work ethic with an orientation toward constant innovation and process improvement.
• Impeccable integrity and honesty

Physical Requirements 

This position is primarily located in an outdoor environment.  Able to perform the following duties with or without accommodation:

• Stand, sit, kneel, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for the duration of an eight (8) hour shift
• Traverse safely over uneven terrain throughout the entirety of the 10-acre amusement park 
• Safely lift and transport items of up to 50 lbs. 
• Respond quickly to sounds
• See and respond quickly to situations
• Communicate in clear, loud voice 
• Operate two-radio for communications with park personnel
• Work in outdoor, seasonal weather conditions for 100% of shift

Benefits & Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position scheduled Saturday through Wednesday, with occasional evenings for events. The rate for this role is $33.00 per hour (68,640.00 annualized). Full-time employees are eligible to participate in benefits the first of the month following 60 days of service.  Benefits include: 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at 100% for employees and 50% for children dependents
• Accrue up to 10 days of PTO in your first year AND separate paid sick leave bank of up to 10 days per year AND three floating holidays per year (available to use after 90 day introductory period)
• 401k plan available 
• Family membership to Fairyland or 6 guest passes annually
• Discounts on Fairyland merchandise and Café