Operations Director

Wiltshire Creative

Salisbury

On-site

GBP 45,000 - 55,000

Full time

8 hours ago

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Job summary

Wiltshire Creative in Salisbury seeks an experienced Operations Director to lead premises management, visitor experience, and overall operational strategy during a period of transformation and a major refurbishment project.

You will sit on the Senior Management Team, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly while delivering the organisation’s five-year strategy and capital plans for Salisbury Playhouse, the Arts Centre, and associated events.

Qualifications

Previous senior manager experience of Operations in an arts, culture, or visitor attraction venue
Proven ability to engage and motivate teams across functions
An understanding of building and facilities management
Financially literate with budget setting and analysis experience
Experience of strategic commercial income generation within a charitable, arts or hospitality setting
Strong inter-personal and written communication skills
Familiarity with current Health and Safety legislation, particularly in a public venue
IT literate with an understanding of software and IT projects
Confident in stakeholder management and able to represent the organisation publicly at network events

Responsibilities

To develop a strategic 5-year Capital Investment Plan for premises until closure of Salisbury Playhouse and for 5 years post-opening
To work with the Facilities Manager to ensure premises are maintained and operated for users’ welfare and risk managed
To oversee the development of comprehensive risk assessments across facilities and operations
To oversee the development of Operations Manuals for premises and operations
To oversee the planned and reactive maintenance plan for all premises within budget
To lead on environmental sustainability plans implemented by Wiltshire Creative
To agree maintenance and cleaning schedules with Facilities Manager within budget
To oversee procurement of all service contracts in line with policy and ensure value
To work with the Executive Director on Capital plans for Salisbury Playhouse accessibility and sustainability
To oversee development of a Commercial Strategy including marketing and delivery
To oversee high-quality visitor experience for audiences and clients
To drive Continuous Improvement strategy to enhance service quality
To support staff CPD for career development
To oversee duty management service ensuring safety
To manage overall commercial trading function efficiently
To represent Wiltshire Creative at local events to cultivate opportunities and civic roles
To develop and implement Health and Safety policies with relevant Directors
To promote Health and Safety policies within all departments and manage safety
To act on safety concerns and respond to emergencies
To maintain premises security and be a named key holder
To maintain emergency and disaster recovery plans with SMT
To ensure fire risk assessments and evacuation procedures are in place
To hold responsibility for premises licences, fire safety and public liability
To support budgets and oversee income/overheads with Finance Director
To oversee delivery of commercial income targets
To implement business systems to drive efficient operations
To manage IT support relationships and contract arrangements
To lead IT software decisions and SharePoint oversight
To ensure integration of systems across departments
To communicate operational activity across departments
To lead and develop the operations team and strategic plan
To deliver annual operational plan aligned with strategy and finances
To support major initiatives including capital developments and partnerships
To act in Wiltshire Creative’s best interests and uphold policies and confidentiality
To attend meetings and collaborate across departments
To seek continuous process improvements and maximize income while controlling expenditure
To be flexible and undertake other duties as required by management

Job description

The Operations Director is responsible for all strategic operations of Wiltshire Creative’s operating areas which include Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Arts Centre and Salisbury International Arts Festival.

They will oversee premises and facilities operations, visitor experience at events, events management (both artistic and commercial) support services such as IT and health and safety across the business. For the avoidance of doubt, technical management and services are not included in this role. This is a key role for the organisation and will be part of the Senior Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and that key business requirements are met.

The Director will have an important role to play in supporting the Executive Director in delivering our upcoming Capital Project, ensuring that day to day operations are managed whilst we undergo major refurbishment. This will involve overseeing the closing of Salisbury Playhouse in a way that ensures the refurbishment project can proceed and the reopening once the project is complete.

This role presents an opportunity for an experienced Operations Director to join an exciting arts organisation at a time of transformation, keeping operations running and contributing to our new five-year strategy as we embark on a period of growth and change.

Key Responsibilities

PREMISES MANAGEMENT

To develop a strategic 5-year Capital Investment Plan for both premises both until closure of SPH and for 5 years post-opening.
To work with the Facilities Manager to ensure that all facilities and premises are maintained and operated so as to ensure the welfare of all users and to ensure all risks are managed
To oversee the development of comprehensive risk assessments as necessary across facilities and operations.
To oversee the development of comprehensive Operations Manuals for both premises and operations.
To oversee the planned and reactive maintenance plan for all premises and ensure that this is delivered to budget
To lead on the environmental sustainability plans that WC will implement.
To agree maintenance and cleaning schedules with the Facilities Manager, ensuring that the premises are regularly serviced and maintained to an appropriate standard and within budget
To oversee the procurement of all service contracts in line with the Procurement Policy including regular reviews of existing facilities’ contracts, to ensure environmental responsibility and best value
To work closely with the Executive Director on Capital plans for the development of Salisbury Playhouse, to achieve greater accessibility and environmental sustainability

COMMERCIAL, FRONT OF HOUSE AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE

To oversee development of a Commercial Strategy including marketing and delivery of the strategy.
To oversee the delivery of a high-quality visitor experience for audiences, public and commercial clients providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all
To oversee the development of a Continuous Improvement strategy and plan to increase the quality of service
To support the development of staff Continuous Professional Development plans to drive career development
To oversee the provision of an appropriate duty management service maintaining public and staff safety as a priority
To ensure the efficient and effective operational management of the commercial trading function
In collaboration with other senior managers, to represent Wiltshire Creative at local commercial events – e.g. Chamber of Commerce and Purple Flag, to cultivate commercial opportunities and as part of Wiltshire Creative’s civic role

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To take joint responsibility for developing and implementing the Company’s Health and Safety policy and procedures with the Production and Technical Director
To ensure that the Company’s Health and Safety policy is fully promoted within all departments and that arrangements have been made to carry out the policy
To act upon any issues raised by staff or colleagues regarding public safety within the building
To be responsible for the security of the premises and to be one of the designated key holders, able to respond to callouts for building related emergencies
To maintain emergency and disaster recovery plans in collaboration with the Senior Management Team
To ensure that all necessary Operations risk assessments are in place including fire risk assessments and evacuation procedures
To hold responsibility for premises licences, fire safety and public liability

FINANCIAL AND IT/DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

To support development of budgets and oversee all relevant areas of the income and expenditure of the business (commercial income/premises overheads etc) in close cooperation with the Finance Director.
To oversee delivery of commercial income targets
To advise on and implement appropriate business wide systems to drive efficient operations (e.g. YesPlan and a digital maintenance tool)
To manage the IT support company relationship as a main point of contact alongside the Head of Facilities to ensure system security and smooth operations
To develop and maintain efficient and effective contractual arrangements with the IT Support Company, ensuring best value
To take lead responsibility for IT software decision making
To support the Facilities team in overseeing the company’s SharePoint platform, referring to the external IT Support Company where necessary
To work with other departments to ensure continued integration of existing and new systems and provide support where appropriate

MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY

To work with all departments to ensure effective communication around operational activity
To lead the Commercial, Front of House, and Facilities staff ensuring efficiency in all areas, providing clear direction
To work strategically with the Senior Management team to increase organisational efficiency
To contribute to the collective leadership of the organisation and support the development and delivery of our strategy
To lead the development and delivery of an annual operational plan, aligned with the organisation's strategic priorities and financial targets
To support major organisational initiatives including capital developments, partnerships, and new income generating activities

GENERAL

To always act in the best interests of Wiltshire Creative, positively enabling delivery of our objectives and acting as an ambassador for our work
To abide by Wiltshire Creative’s policies, including the staff handbook and associated people policies, and Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Sustainability policies
To promote and champion Wiltshire Creative’s values through actions and behaviours
To maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to Wiltshire Creative
To attend staff meetings and other internal meetings, unless delivery of planned programme of work prohibits
To support the work of other departments through effective collaboration when required
To seek continuous improvement in processes, standards and knowledge
To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible
To be flexible and to undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by Management

About You

Previous senior manager experience of Operations in an arts, culture, or visitor attraction venue
Proven ability to engage and motivate teams across functions
An understanding of building and facilities management
Financially literate with budget setting and analysis experience
Experience of strategic commercial income generation within a charitable, arts or hospitality setting
Strong inter-personal and written communication skills
Familiarity with current Health and Safety legislation, particularly in a public venue
IT literate with an understanding of software and IT projects
Confident in stakeholder management and able to represent the organisation publicly at network events