Head of Operations

Published – Thu, 23 Jan 2025

Job Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a brilliant events project manager to head up the operations team who deliver the 4 festivals and year-round charitable activities.

Job Description

1. To provide support and advice to the Co-CEOs and Heads of Departments on all aspects of operational delivery across festivals and year-round activities.
2. To head up a high performing Operations team in all aspects of the delivery of the charity’s activities.
3. In consultation with all teams, set the annual organisational timeline, taking into account key milestones and deadlines, for all of the charity’s activity.
4. To work alongside the Head of Production, who oversees technical specifications and venue infrastructure, and in consultation with CF’s external Health and Safety advisor, to deliver large scale public events safely, taking into account all risk management and Health & Safety legal compliance.
5. In consultation with the programming teams, marketing and development, oversee a look and feel that is consistent across the charity’s activities that is in line with creative themes, branding guidelines and charitable messaging, including all site signage.
6. Lead on the catering and bar contracts across the charity’s activity to include participant and staff requirements, handing over delivery to the external Production Company when appropriate.
7. To lead on all relevant paperwork and licensing requirements required to fulfil the Festivals’ legal obligations in accordance with the Land Use Agreement drawn up with Cheltenham Borough Council each year. To review and update all relevant policies annually.
8. To contribute to the creation of the organisation’s Environmental & Accessibility strategies and ensure that the Operations team fulfil their roles and responsibilities to achieve them.
9. Working closely with the Head of Production, oversee operational budgets keeping a close eye on spend and costs, raising any concerns or unforeseen spend to the Co-CEOs as and when relevant.

Job Requirements

Essential Skills and Knowledge:

• Demonstrable experience of leading a team to achieve a high level of operational delivery in events, hospitality or visitor/cultural sector.
• Experience of project management and working to tight deadlines.
• Strong organisational skills and solid time-management, with the ability to prioritise.
• Setting budgets, monitoring finances and reporting as required.
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.
• Excellent IT skills, especially Excel.
• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Extensive knowledge of Health & Safety, licensing and public event compliance.
• Ability to use and interpret CAD drawings (desirable not essential).
• Ability to think laterally to solve problems and make continuous improvements to ways of working.
• Disposition: Ability to handle relationships sensitively.
• Resilience and tenacity, flexibility.

Job Responsibilities

The Head of Operations will lead the internal project meetings that drive the key milestones and critical path for each festival and year-round programmes, ensuring deadlines are kept and delivered to time and budget. The postholder is required to work collaboratively with all departmental teams within the charity, and the external Production Company, to achieve the best possible experience for audiences, artists, participants, volunteers, donors and partners across all Cheltenham Festivals’ charitable activities. With inclusion, equity and sustainability driving the charity’s mission and vision, this role is pivotal in creating a welcoming, safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

The Head of Operations will head up the Operations team (1 x Operations Manager, 2 x Operations Co-ordinators, 1 x Volunteers Co-ordinator, plus 1 intern for 8 months of the year and occasional freelance/fixed term staff) in all aspects of operational delivery.

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