Birnam Arts Head of Operations

Location: Birnam, Perthshire | Hours: 16–32 hours per week (2–4 days), to be agreed | Salary: £42,000– £47,000 per annum FTE, depending on experience (pro rata)

About Birnam Arts

Birnam Arts is a vibrant, community-owned arts centre in the heart of Highland Perthshire. With a rich history stretching back to 1880, we are an important cultural and community hub, bringing people together through the arts, creativity and shared experiences.

Our busy centre is home to a diverse programme of live music, theatre, exhibitions, workshops and community activities, alongside a café, gift shop, venue hire facilities and The Beatrix Potter™ Perthshire Experience.

As a registered charity, our commercial activities help support our wider arts and community programmes. We're now looking ahead to an exciting new chapter, strengthening our organisation, developing new opportunities and ensuring Birnam Arts continues to thrive for the communities we serve.

Birnam Arts is looking for an experienced operational leader with strong commercial judgement to ensure our busy cultural and community Arts Centre runs effectively and delivers a great visitor experience. Our hospitality, shop, venue hire and events offer support to the wider charitable mission via our trading subsidiary. Working closely with the Head of Organisation & Commercial Activity, you will lead operational teams, improve trading performance and turn commercial opportunities into practical results. We are looking for someone with the ability to make things happen, not simply a day-to-day hospitality manager. We operate 7 days a week so some flexibility is required.

How to apply:

Please email your CV and covering letter to chair@birnamarts.com. Closing date: Tuesday 8 December 2026. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 14 December 2026; applicants should be available that week where possible, unless otherwise specified.

Birnam Arts is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. If there are any barriers to applying or participating in the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to provide appropriate support and adjustments.

Job description

Role purpose

Lead effective operations, visitor experience and the commercial performance of the centre’s trading activities, while providing senior leadership alongside the Head of Organisation & Commercial Activity.

Reporting arrangements: Reports to the Head of Organisation & Commercial Activity. Both senior leadership roles will work closely together.

Operational commercial performance

• Deliver agreed trading plans and performance targets, with clear income, margin and customer-experience measures, in partnership with the Head of Organisation & Commercial Activity.
• Identify and develop practical opportunities to improve income and profitability across hospitality, venue hire, weddings, conferences, retail and other appropriate activities.
• Work with marketing and programme colleagues to deliver campaigns, improve bookings and coordinate operational and commercial planning.

Operations and venue

• Oversee the efficient operation of the centre, including front of house, bookings and visitor services
• Take overall operational responsibility for the effective management of Birnam Arts’ building and facilities, ensuring appropriate systems and arrangements are in place for health and safety, statutory compliance, licensing, maintenance and contractor management, drawing on specialist expertise where required.
• Develop systems, service standards, supplier relationships and operational performance reporting.

Hospitality and teams

• Provide strategic oversight of café, bar and catering operations, with direct operational management delegated to relevant managers where agreed.
• Manage budgets, pricing, staffing plans and commercial performance.
• Recruit, coach and support operational managers/supervisors and encourage cross-team collaboration.

Senior leadership

• Contribute to organisation-wide strategy, planning, finance and risk management.
• Deputise for the Head of Organisation & Commercial Activity within agreed limits and maintain continuity during absence or transition.
• Provide clear reports to senior colleagues and the Board.

Person specification

Essential

• Leadership experience in commercial, hospitality, venue or other complex customer-facing operations.
• Evidence of improving trading income, commercial performance and operational effectiveness.
• Strong budget management, commercial analysis and performance reporting.
• Experience leading managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to contribute at senior organisational level and deputise responsibly.
• Strong operational management experience, with the ability to oversee premises, facilities, health and safety and regulatory compliance, working with appropriate specialists where necessary.

Desirable

• Experience in cultural or community venues.
• Experience in hospitality, retail, weddings, conferences or venue hire.
• Experience of charity-owned trading subsidiaries.
• Building and facilities oversight.

How To Apply

Everyone is welcome to apply and we wholly encourage you to do so, regardless of background, culture, gender, ethnicity, age or ability. We hope to hear from you soon!

Applicants for all posts should submit a CV and covering letter to chair@birnamarts.com

• Location: Birnam Arts
• Closing Date: 8 December 2026
• Hours: 16–32 hours per week (2–4 days), to be agreed
• Salary: £42,000–£47,000 per annum FTE, depending on experience (pro rata)