General Manager
Organisation: Hope Mill Theatre
Location: Manchester
Reports to: CEO and Artistic Director
Contract: 40 hours
Salary: 35-38k subject to experience
Deadline: All applications to enquiries@hopemilltheatre.co.uk by midnight 9th August 2026
Role Overview
The General Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational, technical, and management of the venue. The role ensures the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of all programmed activity, acting as a central coordination point between programming, production, technical teams, visiting companies, and front-of-house operations.
The post holder plays a key role in supporting programme delivery, artist liaison, venue use, and organisational administration, helping to ensure that all activity runs smoothly and in line with organisational priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Programming and Production Support:
• Support AD with planning and overall programme scheduling
• Manage all events within Spektrix and on the website
• Manage the coordination with visiting companies, artists, and creatives throughout the planning and delivery process
• Manage venue hire agreements and associated logistics
• Respond to and manage incoming company and artist enquiries
• Create and distribute programming packs and show-specific documentation
• Oversee production delivery for in-house productions
• Manage show-specific timelines and key milestones
• Act as a central point of contact between programming and operations
Technical and Production Management:
Manage and Recruit the Theatre Technician Role
• Advance all incoming productions, including technical specifications, schedules, and stage requirements
• Liaise with designers, technicians, and visiting technical teams
• Oversee get-ins, fit-ups, performances, and get-outs
• Lead on health and safety procedures, including undertaking and implementing risk assessments
Hire, brief, and supervise freelance technical staff
• Write, review, and implement venue policies and procedures with support from board of trustees
• Ensure the safe and efficient delivery of all activity within the venue
Box Office and Audience Operations:
• Manage the ticketing system, including event builds and allocations
Manage customer enquiries, issues, and complaints
• Monitor ticket sales and report on performance
Report on Ticket sales to CEO, AD and Board of Trustees
• Support visiting companies with pricing and sales approaches
Create and manage discount codes and offers
• Manage front-of-house operations for show openings
• Manage the delivery press nights for in-house and visiting productions
• Manage the audience experience
Venue Operations and Administration:
• Manage general company administration across departments
• Handle email correspondence across programming and operations
Manage calendars, bookings, and organisational logistics
• Coordinate with suppliers and external partners
• Support the day-to-day running of the venue alongside other managers
• Troubleshoot operational issues across departments
• Manage internal IT and systems support
• Manage staff training and onboarding when required
Recruit, brief, and supervise freelance and casual staff
Supervise staff during live events and venue activity
Manage Department Budgets and Report on Spend per head for Hospitality and Box office Sales to CEO, AD and Board of Trustees.
• Act as deputy safeguarding officer and support the safeguarding team.
Skills and Experience
Essential:
Experience in theatre or live event venue management
• Strong knowledge of production processes and technical delivery
Experience advancing and managing live performances
Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Strong communication skills, particularly with artists and visiting companies
• Sound understanding of health and safety procedures in a performance venue
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure
• Confidence managing staff and freelance teams
• Confidence managing budgets and reporting on sales
Desirable
Experience working with Spektrix or similar ticketing systems
Experience supporting in-house productions
• Knowledge of venue operations across programming, production, and front-of-house
Working Pattern
Evening and weekend work will be required in line with the performance schedule.
We are open to all applicants and are particularly keen to hear from individuals from the global majority, trans and non-binary individuals and individuals with disabilities