Steven Hayes
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Confident Operations Director with 8 years board level experience and over 21 years experience within the Leisure Industry specialising in Visitor Attractions & Global Festivals, experienced in leading high-performing teams to achieve key objectives. Keen problem-solver and logical thinker. Communicates well with diverse staff teams to engage, enthuse and motivate to success.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Director
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2023 - 04.2025
- Company Overview: World Leader in Arcades & Skill Games
- Area of Responsibility – All HBL operations within some of the most popular theme parks, visitor attractions & festivals in the Middle East, U.S, Europe and the Far East.
- Member of the board reporting directly to the CEO, supporting direct reports which included Regional, Cluster and Site Managers in charge of HB Leisure’s worldwide operations and ensure that all are run efficiently delivering maximum profitability.
- Preparing, reviewing and reporting on daily, weekly, monthly budgets and expenditure.
- Developed standard operating procedures, enhancing efficiency at all organisational levels.
- Negotiating contracts at corporate and VIP level in liaison with the CEO.
- Designed comprehensive business plans which laid foundation for growth opportunities.
- Ensuring all sites comply with statutory requirements (e.g. health and safety/employment law).
- Nurtured relationships with key industry partners to expand business horizons.
- Implemented staff development programmes, resulting in an empowered workforce.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, promoting operational excellence across the organisation.
- Support management with staffing and HR issues in line with company processes to ensure they have the required number of staff.
- To undertake audits of the operations ensuring that they comply with all internal processes in relation to Finance, Purchasing, HR/Staffing matters and ensure training is put in place where required.
- Liaise with Central Support to ensure that administrative issues do not hamper operational performance.
- Provide monthly reports for the operations as required.
- Oversaw inventory control measures, reducing waste and increasing profitability.
- Achievements: Record Breaking Company EBITDA delivered for the financial years 2022/23 & 2023/24.
Director of Games
HB Leisure Ltd
09.2017 - 01.2023
- Member of the board reporting directly to the Operations Director.
- Responsible for the worldwide games strategy for HB Leisure Ltd the world leader in Arcade & Skill Games.
- Area of Responsibility – Operating within some of the most popular theme parks, visitor attractions & festivals in the Middle East, U.S, Europe and the Far East.
- Achievements: Successfully overseeing the company's rapid expansion throughout Europe, The Middle East and most recently the U.S.
European Operations Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2016 - 09.2017
- Company Overview: World Leader in Arcades & Skill Games
- Responsible for all HB Leisure operations across 22 Theme Parks in Central Europe which included theme parks & festivals within the UAE, UK, Spain, Germany, Belgium, France and Denmark.
- Led business expansions into new European markets.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project delivery.
Regional Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: World Leader in Arcades & Skill Games
- Responsible for all HB Leisure operations across 12 Theme Parks in Central Europe which include: Europa Park Germany, Legoland Germany, Holiday Park Germany, Moviepark Germany, Slagharen Theme Park, Walibi Holland, Walibi Belgium, Plopsaland, Plopsa Coo, Bobbejaanland, Walibi Rhone Alps, Parc Asterix and also two parks in Dubai: The Global Village and Jumeirah Beach residence.
- Managed region-wide projects to successful completion.
Cluster Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Company Overview: World Leader in Arcades & Skill Games
- Responsible for HB Leisure operations in 7 parks across central Europe which include Moviepark Germany, Walibi Holland, Slagharen Theme Park, Bobbejaanland, Walibi Belgium, Parc Asterix, Walibi Rhone Alps and one in Dubai: The Global Village.
- Streamlined operations to enhance productivity.
- Led cross-functional teams for project execution success.
Site Operations Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
04.2004 - 01.2012
- Company Overview: World Leader in Arcades & Skill Games
- Parks where position was held: Camelot Theme Park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Moviepark Germany.
- Analysed operational data, identifying areas for improvement in workflows.
- Coordinated staff training, enhancing team's technical abilities.
Education
BA (Hons) Degree - Leisure with Business Management and I.T
University of Manchester
Skills
- Capacity planning aptitude
- Enterprise resource planning systems
- Tactical execution
- Inventory control proficiency
- Vendor management capability
- Materials requirement planning
- Risk assessment techniques
- Supplier assessment
- Workforce training and mentoring
- Workforce management systems
- Problem Solving
Hobbies & Interests
- Passion for travel and meeting new people.
- Keen outdoors person with an interest in most sports.
- Participated in Scuba Diving with qualifications such as Assistant Scuba Diving Instructor and RYA Level 2 Powerboat Licence (Commercially Endorsed).
Timeline
Operations Director
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2023 - 04.2025
Director of Games
HB Leisure Ltd
09.2017 - 01.2023
European Operations Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2016 - 09.2017
Regional Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2016
Cluster Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
01.2012 - 01.2015
Site Operations Manager
HB Leisure Ltd
04.2004 - 01.2012
BA (Hons) Degree - Leisure with Business Management and I.T
University of Manchester
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