Palace Operations Manager (Hampton Court Palace)

Historic Royal Palaces; Molesey; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent cultural heritage charity in Molesey is seeking an Operations Manager for Hampton Court Palace. The successful candidate will oversee operational management, ensuring exceptional visitor experiences while managing budgets and leading a diverse team. Ideal candidates will have experience in visitor-facing environments and a passion for operational excellence. The role includes occasional weekend and holiday work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of managing people and budgets in an operational role.
• Familiarity with security best practices and relevant health and safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Ensure day-to-day visitor experience and operational excellence.
• Lend expertise to maximize income and facilitate commercial opportunities.
• Recruit, lead and motivate a team of staff and volunteers.
• Manage budgets and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Manage onsite security and health and safety.

Skills

Managing people

Budget management

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Influencing skills

Visitor experience passion

Job description

Overview

We are the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the world’s most wonderful palaces. The palaces are the setting for stories that shape us all, and we’re bringing them to people in ways that matter to them. We want everyone to find themselves in the spaces and stories we share.

We have an exciting opportunity for a new Hampton Court Palace Operations Manager, who will take responsibility for the operational management, delivery and development of Hampton Court Palace.

Responsibilities

• Ensure day-to-day visitor experience and operational excellence in line with our People Make Palaces standard for visitors, colleagues and guests across our buildings.
• Lend your expertise in the operational field to all plans and activities, maximizing and developing income through sales, donations, and public programming, and facilitate all commercial opportunities to support our charitable objectives.
• Recruit, lead and motivate a team of established and seasonal staff as well as volunteers to ensure high standards of visitor experience for all visitors and guests.
• Manage budgets and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders, including our partners.
• With expert advisors, manage security, incident response, health and safety, fire safety onsite, and care of our buildings, collections and gardens.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Proven experience of managing people and budgets in an operational role within a visitor-facing environment.
• Experience in generating income and familiarity with security best practices, Health, Safety and Fire policies, and the Equality Act (2010).
• Excellent communication, organisational and influencing skills, and a passion for visitor experience.

Additional Details

Please note that this role requires working on weekends (1 in 3) and public holidays, and some evenings, as well as being part of a small team providing duty management cover on a roster basis.

Please view the job profile for further information about the role.

Closing date: Sunday 5 October 2025