Operations Manager | The National Gallery

Peridot Partners; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious art institution in London is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee daily operations and service delivery. The role includes managing the Reception and Administration teams, coordinating various service contracts, and ensuring high standards of customer service. The ideal candidate should have strong organisational skills and demonstrable experience in maintaining service levels. Applications to be sent to [e-mail].

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in upholding service levels.
• Ability to manage budgets.
• Attentive with good attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage the Reception and Administration team.
• Coordinate services for waste, cleaning, and catering contracts.
• Support Helpdesk service management and planning.

Skills

Service-focused

Strong organisational and administrative skills

Effective communication across the organisation

Job description

Home / Roles / Operations Manager | The National Gallery

The National Gallery is seeking a highly organised and proactive Operations Manager to deliver outstanding standards across a range of support services.

• Location: London

The role supports the Head of Operations, Gallery Managers and the reception & Helpdesk teams in day‑to‑day operations, ensuring excellent service delivery aligned with Gallery standards.

About the role

This role manages the daily supervision of Gallery operations, including the Hub office and a wide range of service contracts.

Key responsibilities and deliverables include:

• Supervision and Management – Line management of the Reception and Administration team, ensuring all visitors to the Gallery offices receive a warm welcome and that administration tasks are delivered promptly and to a high standard.
• Service Coordination – Coordinating the services of key contracts, including waste, cleaning, staff catering and pest management, and providing advice on operational practices.
• Operational Support – Supporting the management of the Helpdesk service and assisting Gallery Managers with planning crowd control and queue management.
• Quality and Safety – Supporting the wider Operations management team to ensure a high‑quality service and safety for staff and visitors.
• Auditing and Improvement – Monitoring and auditing operational practices (reception, cleaning, porterage, pest, and waste). Actively seeking process and procedural improvements to drive higher standards and sustainable practices.

Key relationships

The role works closely with Reception staff, Front of House staff, Gallery Managers, Security staff, Catering staff, Cleaning & Porterage staff, service providers and suppliers.

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate will bring experience of managing competing needs of multiple stakeholders, and be able to see the big picture while ensuring smooth delivery of operational support across a wide range of disciplines.

Experience and skills

• Demonstrable experience in upholding service levels.
• Ability to manage budgets.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Effective communication across the organisation.

Key attributes

• Service‑focused – provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Attentive – possess good attention to detail, especially regarding presentation.
• Proactive – actively seek improvements to existing processes and procedures.
• Willingness to work occasional weekend, bank holiday and out‑of‑hours commitments.

Application process

To apply, please submit your CV and supporting statement (maximum 2 pages) to [e-mail] with the subject line "Application: The National Gallery—Operations Manager". All applications will be acknowledged within 2–3 days.

Equal opportunity statement

The National Gallery is committed to promoting equality and diversity. Applicants with a disability should let us know of any adjustments or support required during the recruitment process. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and consider applicants from all backgrounds.