Salary: £38,000 – £45,000 per annum + performance – related bonus (depending on experience)
Location: Boiler Shop – 20 South Street – Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3PE
Reports to: CEO / Venue Director
About Boiler Shop
Boiler Shop is a dynamic, Grade II* listed event space in the heart of Newcastle city centre. It has a rich industrial heritage and a strong contemporary cultural profile, presenting a diverse programme of live music, club events, weddings, private corporate hires and performances to tens of thousands of returning customers each year.
Boiler Shop is recognised nationally for the quality of its programme, production standards and guest experience and plays a significant role in the cultural life of the Northeast.
Venue operation is a multi-faceted, fast-moving live environment, delivering around 200 events a year.
What We Offer
* A rare opportunity for a senior leadership role in one of the North East’s most respected independent live music and events venues.
* Significant autonomy and authority to lead venue operations.
* Be part of the Senior Leadership Team, with direct access to the CEO and Board and real influence over strategy and future development.
* A high-profile leadership role within the UK live music and events sector.
* This is a role for an experienced operator who thrives in complex, fast-moving environments with high standards and public accountability.
Job Purpose
The General Manager is the senior operational leader of Boiler Shop, responsible for the safe, successful and commercially disciplined day-to-day operation. Working in the Senior Management Team on the medium-term development of the venue.
You will be a key decision maker on venue operations working in the Senior Leadership Team.
Act as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for alcohol licensing and be directly accountable for delivering agreed commercial and operational performance targets.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring firm control of operations, people, costs and standards, with a clear mandate to improve performance, enforce accountability, contributing to building a resilient high-performing organisation and raise commercial sharpness across all venue activities.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
* Take full ownership of day-to-day venue operations ensuring the venue functions efficiently, safely and profitably across all events.
* Deliver agreed operational and commercial performance targets set by the CEO.
* Monitor and continuously improve operational workflows, FOH and BOH performance, and event execution practices.
* Act as Duty Manager for select performances and events where required, providing visible senior oversight.
* Lead, recruit, train, mentor and develop venue staff across operations, events, FOH/bar, technical and support teams.
* Design and manage staff rotas and deployment to meet performance, cost and compliance requirements.
* Manage direct reports, including clear objective-setting, regular 1-to-1s and formal performance management.
* Enforce standards, address underperformance promptly, and actively develop future managers and supervisors to build a disciplined, high-performance culture.
Programming & Event Delivery
* Work in close partnership with the Events and Programming team as the senior operational authority on feasibility, cost and delivery standards to ensure the programme mix and delivery costs meet agreed commercial targets.
* Oversee coordination of FOH and BOH requirements with production teams, contractors, artists and external clients.
* Lead advance planning, risk assessments, event delivery and post-event debriefs to drive continuous improvement.
* Be directly accountable for cost control, margin performance and revenue delivery, with full P&L responsibility for venue operations.
* Work in close partnership with the Financial Controller to manage budgets, forecasts, reporting and financial controls.
* Use management information to identify performance issues and take timely corrective action.
* Maximise revenue from ticketing, bar, food, hires, merchandise and ancillary income streams.
* Review and renegotiate supplier and service contracts, leading negotiations where appropriate, in partnership with finance, to improve value for money.
Compliance, Health & Safety
* Always ensure full compliance with licensing law, DPS responsibilities, fire safety, alcohol duties, noise regulations and industry standards.
* Act as primary point of contact with the licensing authority and responsible authorities.
* Lead risk assessments, incident investigations and corrective actions to reduce hazards and improve safety.
* Maintain rigorous training regimes in first aid, fire safety and emergency procedures.
Facility & Asset Management
* Act as lead on venue upkeep, preventative maintenance and contractor management.
* Conduct regular pre and post event venue inspections to confirm spaces are clean, safe and event ready.
Customer Experience & Reputation
* Maintain an exceptional standard of guest, client and artist experience always.
* Resolve complaints and issues professionally to protect and enhance the venue’s reputation.
* Represent Boiler Shop positively with community partners, promoters, local authorities and industry stakeholders.
Person Specification
* Minimum 5 years senior management experience with full operational accountability for a complex venue or hospitality business.
* Holds a minimum Level 3 Health and Safety qualification or similar.
* A Personal License Holder as you will be the Venue Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
* Proven track record of delivering agreed commercial and operational performance targets.
* Strong leadership skills with experience of building disciplined, high-performing teams.
* Sound knowledge of licensing, health & safety and compliance in a live or hospitality setting.
* Excellent planning, communication and problem-solving skills.
* Experience working with live music promoters, touring acts or within multi-use cultural spaces.
* Demonstrated ability to improve operational efficiency and commercial performance.
* Passion for music, arts and community-focused cultural programming.
Key Attributes
Boiler Shop’s General Manager will be a commercially disciplined, hands-on venue leader: visible on the floor, firm on standards, accountable for performance and trusted to run the facility to a high professional level. A proactive manager who delivers safe operations, strong guest experiences, consistent commercial results, and can shape the next phase of Boiler Shop’s commercial and cultural development.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all backgrounds. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to support you.
For any additional questions or support, please do not hesitate to email us on careers@boilershop.net
Interviews are expected to take place w.c.9 th February; however, we may begin interviewing suitable candidates earlier if applications are received in high volume.
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