Case study: National Holiday Park

COREcruitment were appointed to support a leading UK holiday park in recruiting a senior Operations Director-level candidate. 

The brief was to find a hospitality professional with strong commercial awareness, financial acumen, and leadership experience, capable of managing large-scale operations with a turnover of £25 million. 

The role also required the ability to lead two UK Operations Directors and offered clear potential to progress into a Senior General Manager and ultimately Operations Director for the entire group.

CANDIDATE SEARCH & SELECTION PROCESS

• Conducted a nationwide search, reviewing a cross-section of 50/100 candidates across the UK.
• Shortlisted 8 candidates to progress to the formal selection process.
• Multi-stage process including 5 stages of assessment, site visits, and immersive stays on the holiday park.
• Narrowed down to the final 2 candidates, resulting in the appointment of a General Manager — a highly considered and strategic hire.

RESULTS

• Successfully placed a General Manager with 30 years of hospitality experience at director level.
• Candidate quickly adapted to the holiday park environment, describing the role as “like being the mayor of a town.”
• Demonstrated leadership across multiple park operations with a strong focus on community, culture, and operational excellence.
• Supported candidate negotiations to secure a competitive offer aligned with previous director-level roles.
• Role provides clear career progression with potential to move into group-wide Operations Director responsibilities.
• Candidate balances family life in Derbyshire with 3–4 nights per week on-site in Lincolnshire, highlighting the role’s flexibility and work-life benefits.
• Core Recruitment’s strategic support ensured a smooth, high-quality placement, aligning candidate experience with client needs and future leadership objectives.