Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Chiswick Cinema, driving financial performance and enhancing customer experience.
- Company: Join a vibrant cinema at the heart of the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a premium cultural destination and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in venue management and a passion for hospitality and retail.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team and foster an inclusive culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
As General Manager, you will be the senior leader of Chiswick Cinema, accountable for its financial performance, strategic direction, operational excellence and community positioning. You will shape and deliver a clear business plan to achieve or exceed budgeted EBITDA, grow secondary income (bar, events, hires and membership), and strengthen the cinema’s reputation as a premium cultural destination. This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring strong venue management, retail/hospitality expertise and entrepreneurial drive. You will combine strategic thinking with operational grip, ensuring a first‑class customer experience while building sustainable commercial growth.
You will line manage the Programme & Marketing Manager, FOH Manager and Venue Administrator, creating a high‑performing leadership team aligned to Trafalgar’s values and objectives. The General Manager reports to the Regional Director and has wide‑ranging relationships with others across Trafalgar Entertainment. Chiswick Cinema are seeking a commercially driven and operationally confident venue leader with strong hospitality and retail expertise.
Responsibilities- Own the cinema’s annual business plan, forecasts and long‑term strategy, delivering or exceeding EBITDA and revenue targets.
- Monitor KPIs including Spend Per Head, labour cost ratios, membership growth and retail performance; take decisive corrective action where required.
- Drive profitability across all revenue streams: box office, membership, bar & retail, private hires and events.
- Develop and implement new commercial opportunities, including corporate hires, community partnerships, premium experiences and alternative content.
- Maintain strong financial controls, accurate forecasting and timely reporting in collaboration with central finance.
- Optimise labour models to ensure efficiency and service excellence.
- Work closely with the Programme & Marketing Manager to curate a commercially effective and locally resonant programme.
- Ensure contracts for film bookings, events and hires are executed accurately and in line with company policy.
- Champion data‑led marketing and membership strategies to grow loyalty, frequency and yield.
- Drive in‑venue marketing standards and premium brand presentation.
- Identify event‑led growth opportunities (Q&As, festivals, private screenings, corporate partnerships, hospitality‑led events).
- Lead and evolve the bar and hospitality offer to maximise secondary spend and reinforce the premium positioning of the venue.
- Ensure exceptional customer experience at every touchpoint, from booking to departure.
- Maintain rigorous standards of presentation, cleanliness and service.
- Introduce upselling strategies, product innovation and pricing optimisation to grow revenue per head.
- Lead, inspire and develop a capable, motivated leadership team and wider workforce.
- Set clear objectives and performance measures aligned to business targets.
- Embed Trafalgar’s values, fostering an inclusive, respectful and high‑performance culture.
- Oversee recruitment, workforce planning, training and succession development.
- Build a talent pipeline and support internal progression where possible.
- Ensure full compliance with licensing, health & safety, employment legislation and company policies.
- Oversee building maintenance, contractor management and statutory compliance.
- Maintain robust operational processes, payroll controls and administrative standards.
- Act as the senior escalation point for operational, HR or customer matters.
- Position Chiswick Cinema at the heart of its community through proactive engagement with local businesses, schools, arts organisations and stakeholders.
- Develop relationships with corporate clients and community groups to drive private hire and event income.
- Act as an ambassador for both Chiswick Cinema and Trafalgar Entertainment.
- Collaborate with central TE teams to maximise shared opportunities and cross‑business initiatives.
- An experienced General Manager, Venue Manager or senior operations leader within cinema, hospitality, retail or live entertainment.
- Commercially astute, financially literate and confident managing budgets and P&L performance.
- Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a track record of developing new revenue streams.
- Experienced in managing premium customer experiences and high‑performing teams.
- Skilled at balancing strategic oversight with operational detail.
- A confident communicator, able to influence stakeholders internally and externally.
- Organised, resilient and adaptable in a fast‑paced environment.
- Experience within independent or boutique cinema operations.
- Strong retail or bar/hospitality background with evidence of revenue growth.
- Knowledge of cinema management systems (e.g. Indy).
- Experience managing membership or loyalty schemes.
- Relevant management or H&S qualifications.
The closing date for this position is 29/03/2026 at 23:59.
General Manager employer: Box
Contact Detail:
Box Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the cinema and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get that interview, let your passion for cinema and hospitality shine through. Share your ideas on how to enhance customer experience or boost revenue – it’ll show you’re not just a fit for the role, but also a great cultural match.
✨Tip Number 3
Do your homework! Research Chiswick Cinema and Trafalgar Entertainment thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and community initiatives. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversation and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining our team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for cinema and hospitality shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Chiswick Cinema!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in venue management and customer service. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their operational expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, so be specific about your achievements.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for the General Manager role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Box
✨Know Your Numbers
As a General Manager, you'll need to be financially savvy. Brush up on key financial metrics like EBITDA, labour cost ratios, and Spend Per Head. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets in the past and how you plan to drive profitability across all revenue streams.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about your management style and how you inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and fostered a positive culture. Highlight any experience you have in mentoring or coaching staff.
✨Demonstrate Your Community Engagement
Chiswick Cinema values community positioning, so come prepared with ideas on how to engage local businesses and organisations. Share any past experiences where you've successfully built partnerships or driven community initiatives that benefited your venue.
✨Be Ready for Operational Scenarios
Expect questions about operational challenges and how you've tackled them. Think of specific examples where you've improved customer experience or streamlined operations. Show that you can balance strategic thinking with hands-on management to ensure service excellence.