Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations at Hackney Empire, ensuring exceptional visitor experiences and smooth team management.
- Company: Join the vibrant Hackney Empire, a key player in the UK theatre scene.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the arts while championing inclusivity and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in operational management.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and offer guaranteed interviews for under-represented groups.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This new role, as part of Hackney Empire’s senior leadership team, will lead on and be responsible for all operational areas, including visitor experience, bars, catering relationships, stage door, cleaning, IT and Technical. The role involves being people focused and commercially astute, maximising revenues whilst delivering exceptional service to all visitors and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
The role will lead and empower a team of skilled managers to ensure smooth, high‑quality operations, visitor and visiting company experiences; maximise income and improve service standards; ensure technical infrastructure is appropriate to our ambitions and industry expectations; maintain a secure and effective IT infrastructure, suitable for the needs of our business; ensuring the building is welcoming, safe and compliant.
They will work with the Chief Executive, and colleagues across the organisation, to champion the Hackney Empire brand, building our profile and reputation locally, and nationally, as we become ever more central to the UK theatre ecology and narrative.
Hackney Empire encourages applications from anyone from the global majority and those with disabilities, including but not limited to deafness and sight, especially where we consider we are under‑represented at this level in our organisation, as we are for the level of this role. If you identify in any of these ways and can demonstrate you have the essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities for the role in line with the person specification, we offer a guaranteed first‑round interview.
To apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) setting out your interest in the role and examples of how you meet the person specification to recruitment@hackneyempire.co.uk with the reference ‘HEDOOAC’ as the subject line.
Director of Operations and Commercial employer: Disability Arts
Contact Detail:
Disability Arts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations and Commercial
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Hackney Empire. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your personality! When you get that interview, let your passion for operations and commercial success shine through. Share stories that highlight your experience in leading teams and improving visitor experiences – make it memorable!
✨Tip Number 3
Research, research, research! Get to know Hackney Empire inside out. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your conversation and show them you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations and Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the role and highlight how your experience aligns with the job description. We want to see your personality come through, so don’t be afraid to let us know why you’re passionate about operations and commercial management.
Tailor Your CV: When applying, it’s crucial to tailor your CV to the specific role. Highlight relevant experience that showcases your operational leadership and commercial acumen. Use keywords from the job description to make it clear that you’re the perfect fit for the Director of Operations and Commercial position.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role is all about leading and empowering a team, make sure to include examples of your people-focused approach in both your CV and cover letter. We want to see how you’ve successfully managed teams and improved service standards in previous roles.
Follow Application Instructions: Don’t forget to follow the application instructions carefully! Send your CV and cover letter to the specified email address with the correct subject line. This shows us that you can pay attention to detail, which is super important for this role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Disability Arts
✨Know the Hackney Empire Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into understanding Hackney Empire's mission, values, and recent projects. Familiarise yourself with their visitor experience initiatives and how they engage with the community. This knowledge will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Director of Operations and Commercial, being people-focused is key. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've empowered teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve improved service standards or maximised revenues through effective team management.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your strategies for maximising income while ensuring exceptional service. Bring specific examples of how you've successfully balanced commercial objectives with customer satisfaction in previous roles. This will illustrate your ability to think strategically and act effectively.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation. Ask about their vision for the future, how they measure success in visitor experience, or what challenges they foresee in the coming years. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in contributing to their long-term success.
