House Manager (Maternity Cover) in Belfast

The House Manager works closely with the Bars & Events Manager and is responsible for the effective management of the front of house operation, ensuring the safety and security of customers and the delivery of an exemplary level of customer service. To perform this role effectively, the House Manager is required to work operationally in the Theatre during performances and events, including evenings and weekends, to provide guidance and direction and to ensure that an efficient service and high customer service standards are maintained.

Main Duties

• Be responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day management of the front of house areas and manage a team of approximately 30 staff.
• Lead by example and motivate staff to ensure they provide an exceptional level of service for the Theatre’s customers.
• Identify and develop new and existing revenue streams to enhance income streams from the Theatre’s performance spaces.
• Be responsible for the security and safety of audiences, visiting company members and staff and implement the Theatre’s Health and Safety, and Security Policies and Procedures.
• Duty manage performances and events throughout all areas of the Theatre as part of the Duty Management team.
• Ensure that the front of house areas of the Theatre are always well presented.
• Ensure the safety, security and maintenance of all Theatre property, equipment and stock.
• Work closely with the Bars & Events Manager to ensure all customers and patrons receive an exceptional level of customer service.
• Be a point of contact for customer complaints and ensure that all complaints are satisfactorily addressed.
• Work closely with the marketing team, maximise the department’s sales through effective marketing, promotion and competitive selling.
• Ensure strict supervision and control of cash within the Theatre and ensure the end of day/shift paperwork and till reconciliations are accurately completed and all financial procedures followed.

Person Specification

The House Manager will be a versatile, confident and experienced people manager with extensive work experience and knowledge of the Hospitality sector. The position carries considerable management responsibilities, and therefore work experience must be at a similar level to that required in this role. Candidates must be able to demonstrate excellent leadership skills and the ability to motivate and support a large team of staff. They will be responsible for developing the Theatre’s front of house service and maximising sales potential and opportunities and they will always act as an ambassador of the Grand Opera House.

Essential Qualifications

• A minimum of NVQ level 3 or third level qualification in a related discipline. Alternatively, an additional 3 years recent management experience in a similar role in the hospitality sector will be accepted in lieu of a formal educational qualification.
• A minimum of three years recent management experience in a similar role in the hospitality sector, managing budgets and teams. Recent experience must be in the last five years.
• Proven experience of managing an efficient and effective front of house service.
• Proven experience of promotion and upselling of products to maximise and exceed sales targets.
• Extensive customer service experience, with experience of effectively resolving customer service complaints.
• Experience of leading and taking responsibility for Health, Safety and Security compliance for a hospitality venue or location.
• Experience of leading and motivating large numbers of staff to provide an exceptional level of service and achieve outstanding sales performance.
• Significant line management experience, with responsibility for a full range of HR tasks including recruitment and selection, induction, designing and delivering training, absence and performance management and investigations.

Terms & Conditions

This vacancy is to cover a period of maternity leave and therefore the role will be offered on a fixed term contract for a period of nine months initially, working towards a start date in early/mid April 2026. The House Manager salary is £38,000 per annum. This is an all-inclusive salary and no overtime will be payable. This role is required 37.5hrs a week, across five shifts within a seven-day week including night-times, weekends and Bank Holidays. It is expected that initial interviews for this role will be held on Tuesday 3 March 2026.