Operational IT Manager

Arena Racing Company (ARC) is the UK's largest horse racing group, with 21 venues spanning racing, hotels, golf, events, and media. It's a fast-paced, exciting environment-and our people are at the heart of everything we do.

We're looking for an Operational IT Manager, based at Lingfield Park Racecourse with travel across our 21sites and Head Office.

This is a role for someone who enjoys the best of both worlds-leading from the front while staying hands-on. You'll join an established team to support the Head of IT in delivering reliable IT operations department across race days, events, and day-to-day business.

You'll guide the team, shape service delivery and act as deputy when needed-but you'll also be ready to step in, solve problems, and keep things running when it matters most.

• Lead engineer rotas and ensure seamless 24/7 support
• Be on-site for key race days and events, driving IT delivery
• Maintain proactive team visits to sites
• Oversee helpdesk performance, assets, and service standards
• Monitor key software
• Coordinate projects and support new system rollouts & integrations
• Maintain clear processes, documentation, and best practice
• Ensure that policies are in place and maintained
• Support in the management of suppliers, budgets, and procurement
• Act as escalation point and deputy to the Head of IT

• Strong IT support hands on operational background with coordination experience in a hospitality/customer-based industry
• Flexibility to meet seasonal/irregular work demands
• Experience in a hotel, leisure, or sporting venue environment is highly beneficial
• A hands-on leader & operator -comfortable managing, but equally leading by example and getting stuck into various scenarios
• Calm under pressure and able to adapt in fast-moving, live environments
• Organised, proactive, and a confident communicator at all levels
• Ready to step up and grow into a senior leadership role
• Full UK driving licence (essential)

Desirable: Microsoft 3O65, Networking/vLans, Telephony

• Discounts across ARC venues
• 22-28 days holiday + bank holidays
• Life assurance, Health Cash Plan, Cycle to Work scheme

If you're someone who leads by doing-and thrives where no two days are the same-this is your chance to make an impact.

Apply today and be part of something special.

At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments, please let us know; we will ensure that individuals with additional needs are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

We understand the value that diversity brings to our business and we are striving to create a working environment that is inclusive, psychologically and physically safe and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions. We are committed to making a consistent, top-down effort to be role models on what diversity, inclusion and belonging means in society.

£35,000 to £45,000, depending on experience