Operational IT Manager

About Us

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.

The Role

We’re looking for an Operational IT Manager, based at Lingfield Park Racecourse with travel across our sites.

This is a role for someone who enjoys the best of both worlds—leading from the front while staying hands-on. You’ll support the Head of IT in delivering reliable IT operations 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.

What You’ll Do

Lead engineer rotas and ensure seamless 24/7 support

Be on-site for key race days and events, driving IT delivery

Oversee helpdesk performance, assets, and service standards

Coordinate projects and support new system rollouts

Maintain clear processes, documentation, and best practice

Manage suppliers, budgets, and procurement

Act as escalation point and deputy to the Head of IT

About You

Strong IT support/engineering background with coordination experience

Experience in a hotel, leisure, or sporting venue environment is highly beneficial

A hands-on leader—comfortable managing, but equally happy getting stuck into day-to-day support

Calm under pressure and able to adapt in fast-moving, live environments

Organised, proactive, and a confident communicator

Ready to step up and grow into a senior leadership role

Full UK driving licence (essential)

Desirable

Microsoft 365, networking, telephony experience

What You’ll Get

2 Annual Members’ badges (500+ race days)

Discounts across ARC venues

22–28 days holiday + bank holidays

Life assurance, Health Cash Plan, Cycle to Work scheme

Apply Now

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.