Operations Manager (OneFest Festival)
| Posting date: | 22 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25 per hour |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 21 January 2026 |
| Location: | NG18 1NG |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Unanima |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: |
Summary
8 hours (hours to be reviewed near festival time)
Unanima is an arts development organisation that provides a variety of creative, cultural and campaign opportunities for learning disabled and autistic people. Unanima creates bold, socially-driven work with learning disabled and autistic artists at its heart. We challenge perceptions, foster creativity, and centre unheard voices.
About OneFest
OneFest is the East Midlands leading festival to see disabled and neurodivergent led work. Our mission at OneFest is to smash the stigma and segregation learning disabled, disabled and autistic people face on a societal level. We strive for greater representation for this community in the arts and to be on stages, TV and in the media. We are a festival committed to accessibility, equity, and representation — with a clear goal that at least 80% of our programme is disabled-led work, ensuring that our platforms, resources, and audiences centre these voices.
Role Overview
The Operations Manager plays a key role in realising the festival’s mission and vision by supporting the artistic programme, managing logistics, and artist liaison.
This role involves booking artists, managing contracts, collecting assets and copy, coordinating accessibility and interpretation, and overseeing site management and scheduling. The Operations Manager ensures that the festival not only runs smoothly but also embodies its values of inclusion, access, and representation through all decisions and collaborations.
Key Responsibilities
Mission, Vision & Programme Delivery
• Work collaboratively with the senior management to deliver the festival’s mission and strategic goals, ensuring the programme reflects the 80/20 target (80% disabled/autistic-led work).
• Support programming decisions that champion disabled leadership, innovation, and intersectionality.
• Embed accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability across all festival operations.
Artist Liaison & Programme Delivery
• Manage artist booking in collaboration with the Festival Producer and Curatorial Team.
• Draft, issue, and track contracts between artists, companies, and the festival.
• Collect assets, copy, and tech specs from artists for marketing, production, and access planning.
• Maintain clear, supportive communication with artists throughout the process.
• Write or edit programme copy, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with the festival’s tone.
• Create and manage event set times, running orders, and logistics for all performances and activities.
Operations & Site Management
• Lead on venue and stage booking, liaising with suppliers, partners, and technical teams.
• Oversee festival site logistics, including access routes, signage, and infrastructure setup.
• Coordinate first aid provision, ensuring appropriate coverage, qualifications, and safety compliance.
• Manage scheduling and deployment of equipment, staging, and site facilities.
• Ensure robust health and safety and risk management across all events and venues.
• Liaise with BSL interpreters and other access providers to ensure inclusive experiences for artists and audiences.
Communications & Marketing Support
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Social Media teams to ensure accurate and engaging representation of artists and events.
• Supply updated information, images, and copy for listings, press, and social media.
• Support coordination of photography, videography, and documentation.
Budget & Administration
• Manage budgets related to programme delivery, site logistics, and artist contracts.
• Oversee invoicing, procurement, and payment tracking.
• Maintain accurate administrative records, permissions, and compliance documentation.
• Contribute to festival evaluation and funder reporting.
Team Coordination
• Supervise freelance staff, volunteers, and site crew as needed.
• Promote an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative working culture.
• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and debriefs.
Person Specification
Essential
• Proven experience producing or managing programmes or events in an arts or festival setting.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with attention to detail.
• Experience with artist liaison, contracts, and logistical coordination.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of access and inclusion within arts and cultural environments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Experience with budgeting and supplier management.
• Commitment to accessibility, equity, and diversity.
• Commitment to the festival’s mission, values, and 80/20 representation goal.
Desirable
• Experience working with disabled artists or access professionals.
• Knowledge of site management, health and safety, or licensing.
• Experience writing engaging copy for programmes or marketing.
• Lived experience of disability (this role welcomes applicants who identify as disabled).
Working Culture
We are a friendly, values-led organisation committed to access, inclusion, and equality. We
welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of disability or neurodivergence. Reasonable adjustments will be made to support you throughout the recruitment process and in the role.
How to Apply
Send a CV and a short cover letter (or video/audio if preferred) to
info@unanima.uk by 6th March 2026. If you require this information in a different format or need support with the application process, please contact us.
Unanima is an arts development organisation that provides a variety of creative, cultural and campaign opportunities for learning disabled and autistic people. Unanima creates bold, socially-driven work with learning disabled and autistic artists at its heart. We challenge perceptions, foster creativity, and centre unheard voices.
About OneFest
OneFest is the East Midlands leading festival to see disabled and neurodivergent led work. Our mission at OneFest is to smash the stigma and segregation learning disabled, disabled and autistic people face on a societal level. We strive for greater representation for this community in the arts and to be on stages, TV and in the media. We are a festival committed to accessibility, equity, and representation — with a clear goal that at least 80% of our programme is disabled-led work, ensuring that our platforms, resources, and audiences centre these voices.
Role Overview
The Operations Manager plays a key role in realising the festival’s mission and vision by supporting the artistic programme, managing logistics, and artist liaison.
This role involves booking artists, managing contracts, collecting assets and copy, coordinating accessibility and interpretation, and overseeing site management and scheduling. The Operations Manager ensures that the festival not only runs smoothly but also embodies its values of inclusion, access, and representation through all decisions and collaborations.
Key Responsibilities
Mission, Vision & Programme Delivery
• Work collaboratively with the senior management to deliver the festival’s mission and strategic goals, ensuring the programme reflects the 80/20 target (80% disabled/autistic-led work).
• Support programming decisions that champion disabled leadership, innovation, and intersectionality.
• Embed accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability across all festival operations.
Artist Liaison & Programme Delivery
• Manage artist booking in collaboration with the Festival Producer and Curatorial Team.
• Draft, issue, and track contracts between artists, companies, and the festival.
• Collect assets, copy, and tech specs from artists for marketing, production, and access planning.
• Maintain clear, supportive communication with artists throughout the process.
• Write or edit programme copy, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with the festival’s tone.
• Create and manage event set times, running orders, and logistics for all performances and activities.
Operations & Site Management
• Lead on venue and stage booking, liaising with suppliers, partners, and technical teams.
• Oversee festival site logistics, including access routes, signage, and infrastructure setup.
• Coordinate first aid provision, ensuring appropriate coverage, qualifications, and safety compliance.
• Manage scheduling and deployment of equipment, staging, and site facilities.
• Ensure robust health and safety and risk management across all events and venues.
• Liaise with BSL interpreters and other access providers to ensure inclusive experiences for artists and audiences.
Communications & Marketing Support
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Social Media teams to ensure accurate and engaging representation of artists and events.
• Supply updated information, images, and copy for listings, press, and social media.
• Support coordination of photography, videography, and documentation.
Budget & Administration
• Manage budgets related to programme delivery, site logistics, and artist contracts.
• Oversee invoicing, procurement, and payment tracking.
• Maintain accurate administrative records, permissions, and compliance documentation.
• Contribute to festival evaluation and funder reporting.
Team Coordination
• Supervise freelance staff, volunteers, and site crew as needed.
• Promote an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative working culture.
• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and debriefs.
Person Specification
Essential
• Proven experience producing or managing programmes or events in an arts or festival setting.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with attention to detail.
• Experience with artist liaison, contracts, and logistical coordination.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of access and inclusion within arts and cultural environments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Experience with budgeting and supplier management.
• Commitment to accessibility, equity, and diversity.
• Commitment to the festival’s mission, values, and 80/20 representation goal.
Desirable
• Experience working with disabled artists or access professionals.
• Knowledge of site management, health and safety, or licensing.
• Experience writing engaging copy for programmes or marketing.
• Lived experience of disability (this role welcomes applicants who identify as disabled).
Working Culture
We are a friendly, values-led organisation committed to access, inclusion, and equality. We
welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of disability or neurodivergence. Reasonable adjustments will be made to support you throughout the recruitment process and in the role.
How to Apply
Send a CV and a short cover letter (or video/audio if preferred) to
info@unanima.uk by 6th March 2026. If you require this information in a different format or need support with the application process, please contact us.