Head of Operations & Commercial
| Posting date: | 17 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35,000 to £37,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 10 November 2025 |
| Location: | Salisbury, Wiltshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Wiltshire Creative |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
About the Role
We are offering an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in the commercial operations in one of the South-West’s largest cultural organisations. As a results-orientated individual you will be responsible for driving vital commercial trading income to support us in delivering impact to our 200,000 audiences each year. You will be responsible for our bars along with supporting events and promoting hire of our spaces to grow our commercial income.
This position will work flexibly at both Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury Arts Centre as the performance schedule requires, where you will help create an exciting work atmosphere with a culture focused on brilliant hospitality and a strong sense of community. You will lead by example, often providing hands on support to the whole team, with a focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Income Generation
- Oversee and drive all aspects of commercial hospitality, leading our team to ensure all commercial revenue is maximised.
- Develop and deliver new revenue strategies to increase long-term income generation streams.
- Take ownership of the EPOS and stock management systems, analysing, interpreting and using performance data to inform decision making and motivate the FOH Team.
- Lead on non-performance hires of our spaces (e.g. parties, corporate hires, etc), developing new opportunities and extending our partnerships into the city.
- Partner with suppliers, reviewing and managing supplier contracts to ensure consistent quality, value for money and alignment with Wiltshire Creative values.
- Manage and moderate costs including inventory control, waste management and stock ordering.
Hospitality and Customer Service
- Ensure customer experience is at the centre of all your decision-making, implementing innovative strategies to enhance guest experience.
- Lead the professional day-to-day operation of FOH areas across the organisation.
- Continually seek improvements in the speed and efficiency of service in all outlets.
- Promote a culture of continual improvement in operational efficiency and audience experience.
Health and Safety
- To maintain a high standard of presentation, cleanliness, and safety in all public areas.
- Understand and uphold the conditions of the venue’s Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice.
- To act as duty manager on shifts ensuring safety of staff and patrons in FOH areas.
- Act as a First Aider for the organisation and attend regular Health and Safety Meetings.
Staff Management
- To line manage the Bar and Catering team, including:
- Setting and monitoring individual and team objectives
- Ensuring effective recruitment, training and development of staff
- Engaging and motivating the team to perform at their best and deliver excellent customer service
- Conduct regular performance reviews and appraisals as per our People policies
- Oversee rotas and casual wage payroll, optimising staff schedules to meet business needs.
General
- To always act in the best interests of Wiltshire Creative
- To take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the work of Wiltshire Creative
- To agree to abide by Wiltshire Creative’s policies, as set out in the Staff Handbook
- To maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to Wiltshire Creative
- To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible
- To be flexible and to undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by Management
About You
- Substantial management experience in a customer-facing commercial hospitality environment
- Strong and proven leadership and line management skills
- Experience of developing / implementing revenue generation schemes and commercial strategies using data analysis to inform decisions
- Financial acumen with experience of managing income and expenditure budgets
- Experience of recruiting, training and motivating casual staff
- Excellent communication skills, able to work with a range of stakeholders and staff
- Familiarity with current Health and Safety legislation relevant to the role
- Ability to excel under pressure, and comfortable in an office or customer-facing environment
We are offering an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in the commercial operations in one of the South-West’s largest cultural organisations. As a results-orientated individual you will be responsible for driving vital commercial trading income to support us in delivering impact to our 200,000 audiences each year. You will be responsible for our bars along with supporting events and promoting hire of our spaces to grow our commercial income.
This position will work flexibly at both Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury Arts Centre as the performance schedule requires, where you will help create an exciting work atmosphere with a culture focused on brilliant hospitality and a strong sense of community. You will lead by example, often providing hands on support to the whole team, with a focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Income Generation
- Oversee and drive all aspects of commercial hospitality, leading our team to ensure all commercial revenue is maximised.
- Develop and deliver new revenue strategies to increase long-term income generation streams.
- Take ownership of the EPOS and stock management systems, analysing, interpreting and using performance data to inform decision making and motivate the FOH Team.
- Lead on non-performance hires of our spaces (e.g. parties, corporate hires, etc), developing new opportunities and extending our partnerships into the city.
- Partner with suppliers, reviewing and managing supplier contracts to ensure consistent quality, value for money and alignment with Wiltshire Creative values.
- Manage and moderate costs including inventory control, waste management and stock ordering.
Hospitality and Customer Service
- Ensure customer experience is at the centre of all your decision-making, implementing innovative strategies to enhance guest experience.
- Lead the professional day-to-day operation of FOH areas across the organisation.
- Continually seek improvements in the speed and efficiency of service in all outlets.
- Promote a culture of continual improvement in operational efficiency and audience experience.
Health and Safety
- To maintain a high standard of presentation, cleanliness, and safety in all public areas.
- Understand and uphold the conditions of the venue’s Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice.
- To act as duty manager on shifts ensuring safety of staff and patrons in FOH areas.
- Act as a First Aider for the organisation and attend regular Health and Safety Meetings.
Staff Management
- To line manage the Bar and Catering team, including:
- Setting and monitoring individual and team objectives
- Ensuring effective recruitment, training and development of staff
- Engaging and motivating the team to perform at their best and deliver excellent customer service
- Conduct regular performance reviews and appraisals as per our People policies
- Oversee rotas and casual wage payroll, optimising staff schedules to meet business needs.
General
- To always act in the best interests of Wiltshire Creative
- To take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the work of Wiltshire Creative
- To agree to abide by Wiltshire Creative’s policies, as set out in the Staff Handbook
- To maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to Wiltshire Creative
- To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible
- To be flexible and to undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by Management
About You
- Substantial management experience in a customer-facing commercial hospitality environment
- Strong and proven leadership and line management skills
- Experience of developing / implementing revenue generation schemes and commercial strategies using data analysis to inform decisions
- Financial acumen with experience of managing income and expenditure budgets
- Experience of recruiting, training and motivating casual staff
- Excellent communication skills, able to work with a range of stakeholders and staff
- Familiarity with current Health and Safety legislation relevant to the role
- Ability to excel under pressure, and comfortable in an office or customer-facing environment
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.