RIO FOREVER is a year-long project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, marking 50 years of The Rio, Hackney’s leading independent cinema, being run by and for its community. This is a part-time, fixed-term role working 3 days per week (24 hours per week) for 12 months.
We have two aims:
- to celebrate, record and share the Rio’s heritage with the people who made it, through community archiving sessions, and a wide-ranging participatory public consultation. We will also be working with a documentary filmmaker across the year.
- to secure the future of our Grade II listed building by commissioning the architectural, condition, accessibility and sustainability work, and the business and fundraising planning, that will shape its next chapter.
As Senior Project Manager, you will lead RIO FOREVER day to day, from start to finish, owning the project plan, timeline and budget and commissioning and managing around ten professional briefs phased across the year.
The Rio is run by a small, busy team. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will work independently and use your initiative, keeping her informed through regular, concise updates and bringing key decisions and risks to her early.
This is a hands-on role that calls for a high level of attention to detail alongside strategic thinking. It is for an experienced project manager who has led projects of comparable scale and complexity before and will bring that expertise from day one; it is not an entry-level or training role.
The role involves:
- Project Leadership: you will be responsible for delivering RIO FOREVER’s approved purposes on time and to budget, maintaining the project plan, timeline and risk register, and making sure the different strands of work inform one another. You will report progress to the Executive Director and trustees and bring forward the decisions that need their input.
- Commissioning and Managing Professional Briefs: you will procure and manage the briefs for a phased programme of professional work: a building condition survey, an architectural brief, an accessibility audit, a sustainability audit, a community consultation, and an independent evaluation. You will be the main point of contact for these consultants, managing their timelines, deliverables and fees. Other elements will include working with a fundraiser, business planner and documentary filmmaker.
- Budget and Funder Management: you will manage the project budget and be the day-to-day contact for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, preparing progress reports and payment requests and ensuring the project meets its grant conditions, including procurement and acknowledgement requirements.
- Event Planning: you will lead the planning of RIO FOREVER’s public programme, including community archiving and consultation, taking each event from programme confirmation to handover to the Rio’s Operations and Technical Managers for delivery. You will also be working with the Rio’s Marketing team and an external PR agency to support outreach for the public-facing elements of the project.
- Evaluation and Documentation: you will work with the independent evaluator to meet our evaluation commitments, making sure data is gathered throughout the project, and will oversee the final project report for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Rio Board and team.
You will represent the Rio at high-profile events and at meetings with community partners, the heritage, film and cinema sectors, and funders.
- Deputising for the Executive Director in her absence in respect of the project.
- Any other duties and responsibilities within the range of the salary grade.
This post is part of RIO FOREVER! which has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
We warmly welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds, and encourage applications from individuals who bring lived experiences and perspectives that reflect the vibrant, multicultural, and intersectional nature of our communities.
As a community-led organisation, we are particularly interested in applications from people with strong connections to the borough of Hackney.
The closing date for this position is 04/12/2026 at 23:59
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Senior Project Manager employer: Independent Cinema Office
Soho House is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and collaboration at its Electric Cinema White City location in London. Employees benefit from generous perks, comprehensive training opportunities, and the chance to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering immersive cinematic experiences for members and guests. With a focus on professional growth and a supportive environment, working here means being part of something truly special.
