Head of Operations - Job Description & Person Specification

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

Head of Operations role for a UK music venue, reporting to the Chief Executive & Artistic Director and responsible for operational leadership across Front of House, Technical, Bar and Catering areas. The position ensures safe, smooth event delivery with compliance to licensing, health & safety and fire regulations, strong customer care, effective reporting and stocktaking, volunteer and duty rota management, risk assessments and H&S coordination, contract and supplier control, budget and profit maximisation support, and IT management in consultation with contractors.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Job Summary

Principal Responsibilities

Required Knowledge and Experience

Other

Head of Operations: Job Description & Person Specification Post Title: Head of Operations (37 .5 hours p/w) Responsible to: Chief Executive & Artistic Director Responsible for: Bar Manager, Chef Manager, Technical Manager, Production & Operations Support Manager, Duty Theatre Manager, Volunteers Key contacts: All other staff and volunteers, external suppliers and customers Background Based in Wavendon on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, The Stables is one of the UK’s busiest and most successful music venues, promoting around 400 concerts of jazz, pop, rock, folk and world music each year in our 400-seat auditorium and 80 seat studio. It also runs around 250 education sessions annually and a busy programme of conferences and corporate events. The Stables produces IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, a 10-day international arts festival. Future plans include the promotion of events in other places and spaces. Job Summary As part of the Strategic Management Team, you will be responsible for the operational management of the organisation and ensure the smooth and safe running of the The Stables building including Front of House, Technical, Bar and Catering areas. You will also be expected to contribute to the ongoing development of the organisation and its emerging projects and promotions in other places. N. B. This Job Description is designed to give you an overall view of the job and is not a definitive list of tasks. Principal Responsibilities 1. To ensure the smooth and safe running of events at The Stables including adherence to all licensing, health and safety and fire regulations applicable to The Stables and other performance venues / projects as required 2. To maintain a high standard of customer care in liaising with visiting artists, private hirers and the general public at all times 3. To maintain Front of House systems and areas and to ensure the completion of all Front of House reports, stocktaking etc as required 4. To act as line manager for the Duty Theatre Managers and all volunteers, including the management of duty rotas, recruitment, training and motivation 5. To act as the appointed Health & Safety co-ordinator, liaising with the licensing authorities and emergency services, maintaining and developing risk assessments, and ensuring relevant training for staff and volunteers 6. To act as line manager for the Technical Manager, Production & Operations Support Manager, Bar Manager and Chef Manager, monitoring performance against targets and providing advice and practical support as required and seeking opportunities to maximise profit 7. To act as Duty Theatre Manager for The Stables and other venues as required and to be a key-holder for the building with responsibility for opening / closing the venue at appointed times and for emergency response from time to time 8. To manage contracts and suppliers as required ensuring that tight budgetary constraints and deadlines are met 9. To ensure that the buildings and grounds are safe, clean and maintained in good condition, managing external contracts as required and contributing to urgent maintenance jobs when required e.g. changing light bulbs, cleaning, minor repairs and arranging volunteers to undertake tasks as required 10. To manage the organisation’s Information and Communication Technology in consultation with external contractors and support teams. 11. To deputise for the Chief Executive & Artistic Director and assist with project and venue management as required 12. To ensure that supplies are available for administration and events and that necessary services are adequately provided, [e.g. cleaning](e.g. cleaning), stationary, piano-tuning, first aid etc 13. To ensure that artist riders for events are provided within an agreed budget 14. To undertake any other duties as required that are commensurate with the general level of responsibility for this post Required Knowledge and Experience | Criteria

FAQs

Who does the Head of Operations report to and who are the key teams they oversee?

The role reports to the Chief Executive & Artistic Director and is responsible for the Bar Manager, Chef Manager, Technical Manager, Production & Operations Support Manager, Duty Theatre Managers, and volunteers.

What are the main safety and compliance duties?

The Head of Operations ensures events run smoothly and safely, adheres to licensing, health and safety, and fire regulations, acts as the appointed Health & Safety coordinator, maintains and develops risk assessments, and ensures relevant training for staff and volunteers.

What experience and skills are considered essential for this role?

Essential requirements include senior management experience (at least 2 years), experience managing contractors and negotiating with suppliers, IT literacy using Microsoft Office tools, understanding current Health & Safety legislation, staff management and training experience, strong written/verbal communication, administrative record keeping, and experience managing a budget and customer service delivery.

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret