Operations Manager

Location: Edinburgh or central belt based (Approx. 70% home working, 30% on-site across Scotland – variable depending on event season)

Salary:£32,000 – £37,000 per annum (depending on qualifications and experience)

Contract: Full-time, permanent (3-month trial period) This role is full-time due to operational requirements but we welcome discussions about flexibility

Hours: 37.5 hours per week on average, typically across five days but with excellent flexibility. Dynamic working pattern including some weekend work is required to accommodate event schedules and site visits. 

Annual Leave: 30 days per year (including public holidays), rising with length of service.

Pension: Full employee auto-enrolment in line with UK pension legislation.

Start Date: Immediate-Early 2026 (flexible for the right candidate)

About Zone Events:

Zone Events Limited is an ambitious and dynamic Edinburgh-based company delivering some of Scotland’s most iconic adventure experiences and charity fundraising opportunities. We continuously explore new event and attraction opportunities across Scotland, expanding our reach into unique heritage and cultural settings and some of Scotland best wild places. Our team design, build, and operate large-scale public events and at-height visitor attractions — including:

• The Beast Race – Scotland’s sell-out 10km obstacle race, now in its 13th year

• The Kelpies Experience – an aerial adventure inside the world-famous sculptures

• The Discovery Mast Climb – a unique mast climbing experience aboard the RRS Discovery in Dundee

• Forth Rail Bridge Abseil – one of the UK’s largest and most spectacular charity abseil events

• Falkirk Wheel Abseil – A multi day abseil event from the iconic aqueduct

We pride ourselves on meticulous safety standards, precision logistics, and exceptional customer experience. Our growing team blends outdoor adventure expertise with professional event management, and we’re now looking for a capable, detail-driven Operations Manager to join us.

About the Role:

The Operations Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of Zone Events’ at-height experiences and wider adventure event portfolio. You’ll take responsibility for ensuring systems, safety procedures, and staff scheduling operate seamlessly, maintaining the quality and compliance that defines Zone Events. The role also involves assisting in the development and maintaining detailed risk assessments and operational procedures for both new and existing events, ensuring consistency, safety, and continual improvement across all operations. Whilst the core of the role will focus on at the heigh attractions and large abseil events the role will also require resource management, staffing and onsite event build duties to deliver our Beast Race event and other mass participation events. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong outdoor and at-height experience who thrives on structure, teamwork, and high operational standards.

Key Responsibilities:· Oversee and coordinate daily operations across Zone Events’ adventure and at-height activities.

· Manage staff scheduling, rotas, and communication with freelance staff.

· Contribute to risk assessments and operational procedures for new and existing events.

· Maintain PPE and equipment inventories, conducting inspections and record-keeping to the highest standards (training provided).

· Liaise with charity partners and corporate clients to support event delivery and participant logistics.

· Ensure operational adherence to relevant legislation and best practice 

· Manage and review course and equipment inspection systems (training and support provided).

· Implement continuous improvement through staff feedback and system refinement.

· Attend and support key events such as the Beast Race and Forth Rail Bridge Abseil.

· Operate on a limited number of days as an instructor/guide on-site at the Kelpies Experience and Discovery Mast Climb to maintain practical knowledge.Skills, 

Experience & QualificationsEssential:

· Experience working in the outdoor adventure industry, including with at-height activities.

· Excellent organisational and communication skills.

· Proficient with digital systems for scheduling and record-keeping.

· Strong attention to detail and a systematic approach to safety.

· Confident managing teams and coordinating complex logistics.

· Ability to develop and maintain risk assessments and operational procedures.

· RCI (Rock Climbing Instructor) qualification.

· Full UK driving licence.

· Ability to work flexibly, including some weekends and travel to sites across Scotland.

Desirable:

· MCI (Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor).

· IRATA qualification or rope access experience.

· Experience managing PPE systems or safety documentation.

· Prior event operations or charity event experience.

· Other outdoor leadership qualifications.

Personal Qualities

· An excellent communicator with a calm, clear leadership style.

· Has a keen eye for detail — particularly around safety and equipment.

· Takes pride in maintaining gold-standard operational systems.

· Enjoys problem-solving and improving processes.

·  Works well independently but thrives in a team culture built on trust and accountability.

Benefits

· Flexible working hours and home-based role (approx. 70% remote).

· Professional development and training in rigging, inspection, PPE management, and safety systems

· Involvement in developing some of Scotland’s most exciting large-scale adventure and charity events.

· Opportunity to be involved in exploring bold new aerial installations and events from concept through to design, installation and delivery

· Work alongside and learn from some of Scotland’s leading work at height and adventure industry specialists. 

·  Supportive, passionate team environment within a growing company.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you’d be a great fit for the role (and feel free to ask any questions about the role) to: hello@zoneevents.co.ukApplications close on Monday 15th December 2025, but early applications are encouraged.