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Merlin • Surrey-Chessington, KT9 2NE, UK

Zonal Operations Lead

Employment type:  Full time
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Job Description

What you'll bring to the team

Zonal Operations Lead

Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, KT9 2NE

Contract Type: Permanent, hourly paid

Hours: Full time fully flexible (any 5 days out of 7, including weekends and bank holidays)

At Chessington World of Adventures, we’re recruiting a Zonal Lead to join our Operations team.

As the first point of escalation within your zone, you’ll oversee daily operations—supporting guest interactions, handling feedback, coaching colleagues, and ensuring ride availability and efficiency. You’ll work closely with frontline teams to maintain high standards of service, presentation, and behaviour at all times.

Alongside the Zonal Operations Manager, you’ll help identify opportunities to improve staffing, training, and resources, while maintaining strong knowledge of your zone to confidently support both guests and team members. You’ll also play a key role in delivering ongoing coaching and driving team performance.

Health & Safety is a core focus, and you’ll ensure compliance across rides, attractions, retail areas, and guest spaces, including proactive risk assessments and incident reporting.

With a strong focus on guest engagement, you’ll actively seek feedback and create memorable experiences for every visitor.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Previous experience in a guest‑facing role within a theme park setting is essential
  • Ideally you will have previously led a team within a team or shift lead capacity
  • Passionate about guest satisfaction and an understanding of guest KPI metrics
  • An understanding of Health and Safety legislation in relation to theme park operation is advantageous
  • A clear and confident communicator in face to face interactions with guests, front line team members and operational managers from around the wider resort
  • You will be a motivational leader, with a keen interest in inspiring your team, leading by example to deliver exceptional service to our guests

Benefits

  • 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
  • ‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Passes - 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
  • Merlin Magic Pass - 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year’s service
  • Company bonus
  • Private pension scheme
  • 40% discount online off LEGO
  • 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities
  • Plus, many more…

Pay Range

GBP £13.50/Hr.

Company benefits

Annual bonus
Buy or sell annual leave
Charity donation scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee assistance programme
Employee discounts – 40% LEGO Discount
Enhanced pension match/contribution
Eye Care Support
Family health insurance
Health insurance
Theme park discounts
Lunch and learns
In house training
Further education support
Open to part time work for some roles

Working at Merlin

Company employees:

22,000

Gender diversity (m:f):

52:48

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