Demo

Dutch Wonderland Operations Manager

Dutch Wonderland
Lancaster, PA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/12/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/10/2025
Palace Entertainment is a leading leisure park operator in the United States and Australia overseeing more than 25 entertainment venues, hotels and educational venues across 11 different states.
Palace Entertainment owns and operates some of the country’s largest and most prestigious venues including: National Historic Landmark, Kennywood Park, America’s Oldest Amusement Park, Lake Compounce, the world’s first ever Cartoon Network Hotel, Best Family Theme Park Dutch Wonderland and a variety of other family-friendly parks and campgrounds throughout the United States.

Palace Entertainment is a subsidiary of Parques Reunidos, one of the leading global operators, with more than 60 different assets (theme parks, zoos and marine parks, water parks and other attractions), spread out over various countries across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia.
The Operations Manager manages the Security and Park Services departments. This position will establish policies, procedures and training content to achieve consistent, efficient results with safety as the top priority. This position is also responsible for developing and leading a high-performing team, meeting financial targets through budget control & labor optimization, exceeding guest expectations and maintaining firm safety standards.

The ideal candidate should be a flexible multitasker with experience in theme park operations and strong verbal, written, communication and analytical skills.
We are currently looking for a:

Dutch Wonderland Operations Manager
Roles & Responsibilities:

Roles & Responsibilities:

Supervisory Duties:
  • Manage all aspects of the park operations team and all other assigned departments
  • Lead by example, attitude, and as a representation of Dutch Wonderland’s core values
  • Act as an approachable mentor and coach to all assigned team members
  • Manage and control all financial aspects of assigned departments while maximizing revenue and cost savings opportunities; maintain constant vigilance over labor, attendance, materials, and departmental spending and budgets
  • Act as a strategic visionary to implement measures that will favorably impact process, people, and/or profit
  • Ensure compliance with company and industry best practices, policies, and procedures to create a safe and productive environment for colleagues and guests.
  • Become knowledgeable of performing the essential duties of all assigned park operations positions and backfill these positions when needed
  • Participate in all aspects of supervision of assigned employees, including hiring, orientation, training, performance coaching, and discipline.
  • Ensure that all required meals and other breaks are being given in accordance with PA law
  • Assist with team scheduling and timekeeping activities

Departmental Duties:
  • Work with the General Manager to create and implement operating policies and standards for Park Services, Security and all other operations-related departments.
  • Oversee the implementation and execution of department training programs to achieve compliance with industry standards. Write and refresh department training programs on an ongoing basis.
  • Responsible for pre-season set-up and winterizing the park for the off-season (including benches, trash cans, restrooms, grounds, landscaping and flags/banners).
  • Coordinate in-season landscaping maintenance, gardening, trash removal, restroom, midway and parking lot cleanliness.
  • Partner with the P&O team to ensure departments are well-staffed and adequately trained. Responsible for establishing hiring requisition targets and communicating staffing needs.
  • Observe and report on park operating conditions and communicate trends and recommendations.
  • Establish goals and objectives for departments and track follow-through to ensure attainment.
  • Maintain constant vigilance to proactively identify potential hazards and inform park leadership of any concerns
  • Promptly notify the security team or the park operator of team member and guest injuries or emergencies
  • Develop, review and maintain budgets and forecasts with the General Manager.
  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with other managers in the park.
  • All other duties assigned by leadership.

Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration or similar discipline highly desired; equivalent combination of education and work experience will also be considered
  • 3 years of progressive, operations-based experience with a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory capacity
  • 1-2 years previous work experience related to an amusement, theme park, or water park industry, highly desired.
Language: Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English; Spanish or other bilingual language skills are a plus.

Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age to comply with PA Child Labor Laws
  • Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, open to close
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and a good driving record
  • Must possess exceptional customer service skills, with an ability to resolve
questions, problems, issues, and concerns in a positive and professional manner
  • Must possess a safety-oriented mindset and be fully committed to enforcing all other regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Ability to inspire, motivate, and successfully lead many team members
  • Must be able to speak with guests directly when other operations leadership is not available
  • Ability to handle high-pressure situations, meet the demands of constant deadlines and coordinate multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
  • Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Must possess strong decision-making skills and be able to think creatively while maintaining accordance with all safety, financial, and regulatory constraints
  • Ability to analyze financial information, costs, inventory and sales to achieve maximum profit potential and address variances for a multi-million-dollar facility.
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Power Point.
  • Must exude professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality at all times

Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to stand, walk, and remain on feet for majority of the workday
  • Ability to remain sedentary for extended periods of time, while using a computer
  • Ability to frequently stoop, twist, kneel, bend, squat, or reach above shoulders
  • Ability to carry, push, pull, lift, and hold objects weighing 30 pounds or more
  • Ability to climb or descend stairs for some of the rides and attractions
Working Conditions:
  • This role will be based in both an office setting as well as frequent interaction with all outdoor and indoor areas of the park
  • Constant exposure to the variable outside temperatures, including high heat, cold, direct sun, humidity, dust, rain, snow, ice, and other weather conditions
  • Subject to frequent interruptions, constant repetitive motion, high noise levels, flashing lights, and heavily populated environments

Team member benefits:

Why Palace Entertainment?

We truly believe that where you work matters and, as a theme park company, we like to think we know a thing or two about what makes people happy. Palace Perks and Benefits:

  • Competitive compensation
  • Management Incentive Plan
  • Comprehensive health and wellness package
  • 401k Savings and Investment plan
  • Free admission to Palace Parks in the continental US
  • Generous vacation and sick time
When you join Palace Entertainment, you do more than simply advance your career. You become part of the Palace family, a group of talented people who drive innovation, embrace change, and deliver results.
If you’re ready to join our amazing team, please visit our website at www.palaceentertainment.com - “Work With Us” tab - to explore all of our open positions and exciting opportunities.
Do not miss the chance to spark your career now!

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