Opening March 2026 | REEL Cinemas Company Introduction Established in 2001, Reel Cinemas is proud to be one of the UK’s leading family-owned independent cinema chains, with 15 cinemas and 81 screens bringing the magic of the movies to communities across the country. We combine the scale to deliver quality with the independence to stay agile, personal and rooted in local life. Our cinemas are rooted in their communities - welcoming, approachable, and focused on brilliant guest experiences. Our teams don’t just show films. They create moments: a first cinema trip, a birthday party, a big night out, an indie discovery. About Bishop Auckland & This Role REEL Cinemas is opening a brand-new flagship site in Bishop Auckland in March 2026. This seven-screen venue will showcase our new design approach, including a flexible private-hire screen, a purpose-built party room, and reimagined foyers designed for community and event use. We’re looking for confident, hands-on Duty Managers to help bring this cinema to life — supporting the General Manager and Deputy General Manager to build a high-performing team from day one, deliver exceptional guest experiences, and run smooth, safe, well-led shifts. If you love leading on the floor, keeping standards high, and making sure guests and colleagues have a great day (and night) - this is the role for you. Role Purpose As Duty Manager, you’ll be one of the key leaders on shift — running daily operations, guiding the Front of House team, and ensuring the cinema is guest-ready, safe and performing. You’ll play a big part in the opening phase: helping train and embed standards quickly, and setting the tone for how this flagship site feels from the very first guest. Key Responsibilities Lead the Shift • Run smooth, safe, efficient shifts across Front of House, screens and concessions. • Lead, guide and motivate Front of House Assistants - setting clear priorities and keeping energy high. • Support the management team to deliver daily targets, rota plans and operational routines. • Act as the go-to person on shift, making confident decisions and keeping the cinema running. Deliver Exceptional Guest Experiences • Be visible, welcoming and solutions-focused - you set the tone for service. • Handle guest queries and complaints calmly and professionally, aiming for great outcomes. • Ensure the cinema is clean, presentable and feels “flagship” throughout the day. Drive Sales & Standards • Drive concession sales through great coaching, strong displays and consistent upselling. • Maintain high standards of merchandising, product availability and stock rotation. • Support delivery of parties, private hires and events — helping ensure they run on time, feel special, and bring guests back again. Ensure Operational Excellence & Compliance • Support compliance with company procedures across health & safety, security, food hygiene and cash handling. • Take responsibility for cash management on shift, including till controls and accurate handovers. • Help train and develop new starters - coaching on standards, guest service, and “how we do things at REEL.” • Keep up to date with film releases and support the team to talk confidently to guests. What We’re Looking For • Previous supervisory or duty management experience in a customer-facing environment (cinema, hospitality, retail or leisure). • Confident leading a team on shift and making decisions in real time. • Strong customer service instincts - calm, friendly, and solutions-focused. • Commercial mindset - you understand how standards and sales go hand in hand. • Organised, reliable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced venue. • Approachable leadership style - supportive, clear, and fair. Essential: • Previous customer-facing retail/hospitality supervisory or management experience. • Flexibility to work evenings (up to around 23:15 usually), weekends and school holiday periods. Desirable (but not essential): • Experience supporting a new opening or relaunch. • First Aid / Food Hygiene / H&S certificates - we give full training if not. Working Hours / Shift Expectations • Minimum 30 hours per week contracted. • Rota-based hours between 09:00 and 23:30, and available 7 days per week (you do get 2 days off per week) • You will be expected to work 2–3 close shifts per week, finishing around 11-11:30pm. Perks & Benefits • Competitive pay • 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays) • Free movies & discounts - tickets for you and guest(s), plus discounts on snacks and drinks • Employee Assistance Programme, Death In Service Life Insurance, 24/7 Virtual GP appointments • The opportunity to be part of a flagship opening and help shape how the site runs from day one Why Join Us? This is more than a Duty Manager role - it’s a chance to help launch a brand-new cinema, build a strong culture from the start, and be part of something the Bishop Auckland community will feel proud of. If you’re ready to lead from the front and help create an unforgettable guest experience from day one, we’d love to hear from you.