At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations at a vibrant cultural venue, shaping experiences and driving strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join Ladbroke Hall, one of London's most ambitious cultural destinations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and the chance to shape a growing institution.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a diverse team and enhance guest experiences in a unique setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative community and make a real impact in arts and hospitality.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in management, with a passion for culture and operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Ladbroke Hall is seeking an Operations Director to join the next chapter of one of London’s most ambitious cultural destinations. This is a role for a seasoned operator with management experience, strategic mindset, and leadership presence. This role will take full management of the operating team, reporting into the CEO, Founder, and Board stakeholders. This is a key moment for Ladbroke Hall as an organization, bringing on a key senior leader to the team who can thrive in dynamic environments, bring clarity to complexity, and feel motivated by the opportunity to shape a growing institution at the intersection of culture, hospitality, design, and live experience.
The ideal candidate is both analytical and intuitive in the arts: capable of driving operational excellence across a multifaceted organization while understanding that cultural venues are ultimately built on atmosphere, inspired vision, and human connection. This role will engage both strategic and executional skillset, while tapping into creativity & cultural sense. We are looking for a candidate who can showcase strategic thinking, can move fluidly between planning and real-time execution, a wide-ranging generalist skillset, a demonstrated ability to multi-task, comfort in high-pressure situations, and strong communication skills. 10+ years of experience. Backgrounds in general management, startups, consulting, high-growth ventures, or complex operational business (e.g. hospitality and service industries) will be well-suited to this role. A blend of organizational rigor, as well as being equally energized by the arts, creative community, and building meaningful guest experiences.
- Team Leadership & Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day team operations of the core Ladbroke Hall team.
- Run weekly meetings & cross-functional communication channels to build visibility across the organization.
- Be the key point of contact and liaison between Gallery Team, F&B Team, and Office Team; own relationship with IT, HR, Legal, and key Advisors to drive strategic business needs.
- Act as on-the-ground decision-maker on critical junctures like use of space, financial investments, team roadblocks, and guest operations.
- Take initiative into employee experience, including handling company resource admin, onboarding materials, and team culture initiatives.
- Act as daily decision-maker on cross-functional tasks like use of space, inventory investments, team roadblocks, and guest problem-solving.
- Report into CEO, Founder, and senior stakeholders to report on company performance, progress on strategic initiatives, and team wellbeing.
- Cultural Vision & Programming
- Ideate on strategic initiatives to bring Ladbroke Hall into the limelight as a cultural hub in West London; drive execution of projects through overseeing core Ladbroke Hall team.
- Develop and drive core activation calendar of keystone events for Ladbroke Hall, like Frieze Art Party, New Years event, Patron Summer Party, and Open House activations.
- Support Ladbroke Hall teams with building proactive strategy and operational processes to support the cultural vision, e.g. calendar management and contracts for Live Programming, KPI tracking for the Marketing Team to reach our patron audiences.
- Venue Strategy
- Oversee operational strategy and SOPs for the full venue to create smooth flow and collaboration between Live Programming, Events, F&B, Gallery and external stakeholders.
- Examples of initiatives: inventory storage plan, guest wayfinding & signage, installation schedules, external communication channels.
- Help maintain relationships, and optimize the staffing/scheduling for freelancers and external suppliers to sustain core building operations (e.g. AV, musician rehearsals, building security).
- Own the strategy & launch plan for upcoming spaces launching in late 2026: Basement Gallery and Speakeasy.
- Guest Experience
- Own the “full Ladbroke Hall experience”; help develop, maintain, and train the team on the aesthetic standards for the guest experience, cultural identity, and physical brand.
- Work with the Marketing, Design, & CWG Gallery team to develop consistent brand standards and collateral throughout the space.
- Oversee the F&B and Events Team to implement consistent experience and service SOPs.
- Develop strategy for capturing guest feedback to improve operations and guest experience.
Operations Director in Slough employer: Ladbroke Hall
Ladbroke Hall is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead operations at one of London’s most vibrant cultural destinations. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, the company fosters creativity and innovation while providing competitive benefits and a dynamic environment that encourages strategic thinking and operational excellence. Joining Ladbroke Hall means being part of a passionate team dedicated to shaping memorable experiences in the arts and hospitality sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing teams and driving operational excellence. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges and improved processes in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to think on your feet! In interviews, you might face situational questions that test your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Prepare by practising responses to common scenarios in operations management, especially those related to high-pressure situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about making connections and finding the right fit. By applying directly, you’ll not only streamline your application process but also show your genuine interest in being part of our vibrant team at Ladbroke Hall.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Strategic Mindset:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your strategic thinking skills. We want to see how you can navigate complex situations and bring clarity to chaos, just like we do at StudySmarter.
Demonstrate Your Leadership Presence:Don’t shy away from showcasing your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've led teams and made impactful decisions in high-pressure environments. We love a candidate who can inspire and motivate others!
Connect with Our Cultural Vision:Make sure to express your passion for culture and the arts in your application. We’re looking for someone who understands that venues thrive on atmosphere and human connection, so let that shine through in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ladbroke Hall
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Ladbroke Hall's mission and recent projects. Familiarise yourself with their cultural initiatives and operational strategies. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your experience with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your management experience and how you've led teams in dynamic environments. Prepare examples that highlight your strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex situations while maintaining team morale and productivity.
✨Demonstrate Your Creativity
Since this role blends operations with a cultural vision, think of innovative ideas you could bring to the table. Share past experiences where your creative solutions made a significant impact on guest experiences or operational efficiency.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation. Inquire about their future cultural programming or how they envision the new spaces launching in 2026. This shows you're not just interested in the position but also in contributing to their long-term vision.
