Bookings Manager

Location: Manchester (Hybrid with regular presence at Aquarius Community Centre)

Salary: Pay Scale 5: £32,288.43 | FTE 0.8

Responsible to: Head of Finance

Responsible for: Bookings Coordinator & Freelance Teams (and future bookings/admin staff as the team grows)

About Odd Arts

Odd Arts uses theatre to reduce inequalities and increase wellbeing and cohesion.

Our theatre and creative programmes support happier, healthier and safer lives. Through theatre, workshops and creative engagement we explore the issues affecting individuals and communities, supporting reflection, learning and meaningful change.

Our work is delivered across schools, prisons, communities and organisations across the UK. As the scale and complexity of our programmes grow, strong operational systems are essential to ensure our work is delivered efficiently and professionally.

The Bookings Manager plays a strategic role in managing and improving Odd Arts’ booking systems, partner engagement and operational coordination.

Role Purpose

The Bookings Manager leads the strategic coordination of all programme bookings across Odd Arts.

This role ensures that the organisation’s workshops, performances and projects are efficiently scheduled, well communicated and delivered to the highest professional standard.

Working closely with programme leads, the Head of Finance and the wider operations team, the Bookings Manager develops systems and processes that support organisational growth while maintaining excellent partner relationships.

Key focus on:

strategic management of complex digital bookings systems

improving operational processes and scheduling efficiency

strengthening partner relationships

Identify staffing gaps/opportunities & organisation/recruitment needs

supporting organisational planning and delivery capacity

Finance and impact data

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Bookings Management

Oversee all bookings across Odd Arts programmes including workshops, performances and touring projects.

Ensure bookings are managed efficiently across multiple programmes, locations and delivery teams.

Develop systems and processes that improve the coordination and scalability of programme delivery.

● Monitor booking trends and delivery capacity to support organisational planning.

● Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the bookings process.

● Income generation, retention and cost effective strategic planning

Team Leadership

● Line manages the Bookings Coordinator and supports their professional development.

Ensure the bookings team operates effectively and maintains high standards of communication and organisation.

● Provide guidance and oversight on partner communication and scheduling.

● Support the development of strong administrative and operational practices across the team.

Partner Engagement

Maintain strong relationships with partner organisations including schools, community organisations and commissioners.

Ensure partners receive professional, responsive and accurate communication throughout the booking process.

Support partners to identify appropriate Odd Arts programmes for their needs.

Resolve booking issues or logistical challenges where required.

Operational Planning and Scheduling

● Coordinate delivery schedules across staff, freelancers, actors, volunteers and work experience placements.

Ensure projects are appropriately staffed and resourced.

● Maintain the organisational delivery calendar and ensure clear communication across teams.

Support programme leads to ensure projects are delivered on time and within operational capacity.

Logistics Coordination

● Oversee logistics including travel, accommodation, contracts and venue coordination.

Ensure logistical information is communicated clearly to all relevant stakeholders.

Support the coordination of touring productions and workshops.

Monitoring, Reporting and Data Management

● Develop and maintain systems for tracking bookings, delivery activity and participant reach.

● Provide regular reports on programme delivery, bookings trends and partner engagement.

Support organisational monitoring and evaluation processes.

Ensure data is securely managed in line with GDPR requirements.

Systems Development

● Lead the development and improvement of operational systems that support bookings and scheduling.

● Identify digital tools or CRM systems that improve organisational efficiency.

Implement systems that improve coordination between operations, programme and communications teams.

Safeguarding and Compliance

Ensure all bookings and delivery schedules align with safeguarding and organisational policies.

● Ensure relevant safeguarding considerations are built into planning processes.

● Participate in safeguarding and compliance training where required.

Organisational Contribution

● Contribute to strategic discussions relating to programme growth and operational planning.

Champion collaborative working across teams.

● Participate in staff meetings, training sessions and organisational development activities.

● Support the development of efficient operational practices across Odd Arts.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Experience managing bookings, scheduling or operational coordination within a complex environment.

Experience managing administrative or operational teams.

Strong organisational and systems management skills.

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Experience working with databases, CRM systems or scheduling software.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex logistical requirements.

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Understanding of GDPR and responsible data management.

● Commitment to inclusive and ethical working practices.

Desirable Criteria

Experience working in the arts, charity or education sectors.

Experience coordinating touring productions, events or creative programmes.

Experience developing or implementing operational systems or processes.

Experience managing small project budgets.

Understanding of safeguarding requirements when delivering programmes with young people or vulnerable groups.

Personal Attributes

Strategic and solution-focused.

Highly organised and proactive.

Professional and approachable.

Collaborative and supportive leadership style.

● Committed to creativity and social impact.

Benefits of Working with Odd Arts

Odd Arts is committed to creating a supportive and progressive workplace.

We are proud members of the Good Employment Charter and are accredited as a Real Living Wage Employer, Living Pension and a Real Living Hours Employer.

Staff benefits include:

Bike to Work scheme

Tech purchasing scheme

Clinical Supervisions

Training and professional development opportunities

Creative development and artistic risk-taking opportunities

All-staff development days focused on training, wellbeing and creativity

Active equality work including an anti-racism committee

Annual salary uplift policy

Salary advancement policy for times of financial need

Why Join Odd Arts

Odd Arts is entering an exciting phase of growth, expanding the reach of our programmes across education, justice and community settings.

This role offers an opportunity to shape the systems and partnerships that enable our creative work to reach thousands of participants each year.