Front of House & Venue Manager
Salary £ 32,361
Vacancy listed 11/06/2026
Application deadline 29/06/2026
Details
Operations
  • To be responsible for the day-to-day management of our front of house and box office operations, acting as Fire Marshal for the building
  • To work closely with other departments to ensure the theatre and all events operate smoothly and efficiently
  • To help deliver hires and events inside the building
  • To conduct appropriate planning for all venue operation logistics, providing guidance and regulating the flow of audience
  • To communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders ensuring continuity of provision, through detailed Duty Management reports, incident reporting and handover notes
  • To take lead operational responsibility for the safety and security of the building, ensuring that systems and procedures for security are followed at all times and that correct opening up and locking up procedures are followed
  • To be responsible for managing emergency Show Stops, coordinating evacuations and liaising with emergency services
  • Report, update and audit the agreed departmental business plans
  • Act as duty manager for a minimum of three performance shifts per week

Front of House Staff Management
  • On a day-to-day basis lead our front of house teams, communicating effectively to ensure the motivation of these staff and the smooth running of all front of house operations
  • To work with the Café Bar Manager on the recruitment, induction, training, development and management of all front of house staff, including visitor experience, access, licensing and food hygiene where appropriate
  • With the Café Bar Manager and Box Office Supervisor, to draw up rotas consistent with budgeted forecast, ensuring that the building is appropriately staffed at all times and that staff are scheduled regularly across a variety of functions including, bar, box office and ushering to ensure maximum flexibility within the staff team
  • Provide payroll information for all front of house staff

Visitor Experience
  • With the Café Bar Manager and Box Office Supervisor, to lead the Bush Theatre’s coordinated approach to welcoming our community, working closely with the General Manager and ensuring that all staff fully understand and are fully committed to this approach
  • To actively contribute to the Bush Theatre’s policy of providing a friendly, welcoming and accessible service to all audience and visitors to the building
  • To work with our technical and marketing teams to support access for disabled visitors, including facilitating captioned, BSL interpreted and audio-described performances, and managing Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) as well as general evacuation procedures for our disabled visitors
  • To deal with all matters raised by members of the public visiting the building and when necessary, following the Bush Theatre’s procedures when issues or complaints are received

Income Generation
  • With the Box Office Supervisor, to realise ambitious commercial operations sales targets relating to merchandise sales while supporting the Bush’s vision, values and strategic objectives, ensuring we are accessible and appealing to a diverse range of people particularly our local community encouraging them to engage with our programme and activities
  • To review, manage and promote the sale of merchandise on usher sale points, actively seeking new opportunities to provide relevant and exciting show offers
  • Proactively seek opportunities to increase profit, by monitoring and controlling expenditure and increasing sales
  • Work with the Marketing team to ensure our building and offer are successfully marketed encouraging the development of new visitors to our venue

Financial Management
  • With the Box Office Supervisor, to take responsibility for the financial operations of merchandise sales to ensure efficient running and the maximisation of profit
  • To put effective processes in place for the accurate financial management of usher sales including cashing up, cash handling, daily reconciliations, cash banking and invoicing ticket agencies 
  • To work closely with the Head of Finance to provide clear and accurate financial information and re-forecasts of financial performance to the General Manager and Executive team 
  • Produce quarterly sales analyses to be used in steering meetings when developing new offers
  • Be aware of the performance of each area, making adjustments as needed

Stock Control
  • To work with the Café Bar Manager to develop relationships with existing and new suppliers
  • Manage departmental overheads including ordering and stocktaking of merchandise and equipment. Address any discrepancies immediately
  • With the Box Office Supervisor, to ensure that merchandise stock levels are monitored and maintained.
  • To ensure that promotional materials are current and regularly refreshed.

Maintenance
  • To ensure that the public areas of the building are always presented in the best possible way in terms of cleanliness, general maintenance and the displays of promotional material and to take appropriate action when needed
  • To ensure all spaces, fittings, equipment and resources are regularly checked and well maintained, and to take appropriate action when they are not
  • To assist the General Manager in implementing all environmentally sustainable initiatives

Health and Safety and Licensing
  • To abide by and promote the theatre’s health and safety policy in conjunction with current health & safety legislation, and ensure that all members of the front of house team are trained in and comply with emergency and safety procedures 
  • To ensure that the building conforms and exceeds Accessibility and Health and Safety requirements and to recognise and suggest opportunities for improvement
  • Work closely with the General Manager and Head of Technical and Buildings to develop and implement risk assessments for the building and the productions
  • With the Head of Technical and Buildings, General Manager and Senior Producer, ensure the safety and presentation of our performance spaces through regular venue checks and show sign-off 
  • To keep up to date with and implement licensing regulations
  • Be a qualified first aider on behalf of the organisation.

Other duties

  • To be trained in the use of our ticketing and bar system and procedures and to provide occasional cover in these areas

  • To keep up to date with developments in front of house management
  • To act as duty manager as required especially during key performances and events
  • To act as a key-holder and to be on the emergency call-out list

General
  • Attend read-throughs, sharings, previews, press and supporters’ nights and other Bush Theatre events as required.
  • Actively deliver green policies and practices for the department
  • Adhere to, and actively contribute to, Bush Theatre policies, including Equalities (including diversity, access, and equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety.
  • To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of the Bush Theatre
  • Any other duties as reasonably required.
Benefits

Interest-free season ticket loan (after probation) for employees.
Cycle to work scheme for employees.
Complimentary tickets to all Bush productions subject to availability.
Enhanced holiday and additional holiday for length of service.
Birthday holiday.
Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave policies.
20% discount on food and drink at the Library Cafe Bar.
Access to a confidential counselling service.

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