Cinema Director

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

After more than 25 years in darkness, Paignton Picture House is reopening its doors as a beautifully restored, independent cinema and cultural hub. We’re looking for an experienced Outreach & Audience Development Manager to lead the organisation in developing an ambitious strategy to establish, grow and sustain an audience base for Paignton Picture House as it prepares for the next chapter in the story of one of the UK’s most historic cinemas. This is a rare opportunity to combine leadership, creativity, and community impact in a truly unique setting.

Paignton Picture House is a Grade II* listed cinema, first opened in 1914 and once a favourite of Agatha Christie. After closing in 1999, it has been carefully restored by the Paignton Picture House Trust and will reopen in 2026/2027 as an independent, community‑led cinema and arts venue. Our programme will blend mainstream and community‑led films with live events, heritage tours, and cultural activities – all delivered with inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration at our heart.

The Cinema Director of Paignton Picture House will provide dynamic leadership to one of the UK’s most distinctive heritage cinemas. Working closely with the Board of Directors, they will be responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation’s vision, ensuring its long‑term sustainability, and balancing cultural ambition with commercial success. This is a unique opportunity to lead a historic venue into its next chapter, inspiring audiences, supporting staff and volunteers, and building strong partnerships across the community, film industry, and wider cultural sector.

• Develop and deliver the organisation’s strategic plan to achieve goals approved by the Board of Directors.
• Provide strategic advice to the Board and collaborate on policy development.
• Inspire, support, and motivate staff and volunteers to deliver excellent customer service.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for programmatic and organisational growth.
• Address challenges and develop solutions to ensure the organisation’s sustainability and long‑term impact.
• Oversee the financial health of the organisation, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Ensure transparent financial practices and efficient use of resources.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funders, donors, trusts, and other funding sources.
• In conjunction with the Finance Trustee, maintain and refine The Picture House’s core business model.

• Plan and schedule films, live events, and private hires to balance community and commercial priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with distributors, suppliers, and partners.
• Lead the Marketing Manager and Outreach and Audience Development Manager in their delivery of a robust, audience‑facing communications strategy that supports growth, visibility and holds on to the PPH brand to ensure consistent messaging across all customer touchpoints.

• Drive audience growth by increasing admissions and secondary spend while ensuring a welcoming, inclusive visitor experience.
• Oversee the smooth day‑to‑day running of the cinema, working closely with the Operations Manager to ensure health & safety, compliance, and financial controls are maintained.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Deliver a commercially successful food and beverage offer that complements the cultural programme and supports strategic goals.
• Maintain and optimise business processes, systems, and workflows to meet organisational needs.
• Ensure the building is maintained to a high standard in all physical aspects.
• Ensure the organisation meets its sustainability goals through strategic carbon measurement and management.

• Recruit, train, and support staff and work with the Operations Manager to recruit volunteers, fostering a positive, respectful workplace.
• Line‑manage the Outreach & Audience Development Manager, the Operations Manager and the Marketing Manager, ensuring they are supported to deliver in line with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Implement fair and equitable HR practices, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
• Champion diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives across the organisation.
• Encourage creativity, collaboration, and innovation.

• Act as an ambassador for Paignton Picture House with stakeholders, media, and the wider film industry.
• Build strong relationships with local communities, partners, supporters, and audiences.
• Promote the organisation’s mission and programmes through effective communication and advocacy.
• Lead the Marketing Manager and Outreach and Audience Development Manager in their duty to grow and maintain PPH Membership scheme.
• Identify regular incentives for members.

Experience in cinema programming, with a proven track record of programming independent cinema venues, understanding the industry of programming, and established industry contacts. Proven experience of successfully leading and motivating a team to achieve business targets. Track record in developing staff and managers through coaching, mentoring, and training. Experience in recruitment, HR processes, and employee relations. Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills. Financially astute, with experience of managing budgets and profit & loss accounts. Skilled problem‑solver, adaptable, proactive, and able to perform under pressure. Flexible and positive approach to change and innovation. Professional, self‑motivated, and detail‑oriented, with a collaborative work ethic. Demonstrable passion for film, cinema, and community engagement. Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and flexible shift patterns as required. Experience in running successful marketing campaigns. 3 to 5 years’ senior management experience in cinema, leisure, or hospitality. Background in managing high‑footfall venues. Confident with IT, AV, and MS Office systems.

Paignton Picture House strives to promote equality and diversity at all levels of the team. They are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive in their ways of working, and to being a place where all belong. They particularly encourage applications from people underrepresented in the arts and culture sector. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

The closing date for this position is 18/06/2026 at 23:59.