Venue Operations Manager

Role overview

This position is responsible for running the Black Box venue in a way that keeps it safe, presentable, commercially disciplined, and ready for guests at all times. The role centers on putting operating plans into action for events and public spaces so live entertainment runs smoothly and consistently. It also involves working closely with operators, contractors, promoters, and local stakeholders to uphold SEVEN’s venue standards.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee daily venue readiness, including opening and closing routines, safety measures, cleanliness, maintenance, and service quality, to ensure the site remains dependable and guest-ready.
• Put event delivery plans into practice across pre-production, load-in, show-day operations, load-out, and post-event close-out so activations are executed safely and consistently.
• Coordinate with promoters, operators, tenants, contractors, agencies, and local authorities so venue requirements are aligned before activities begin.
• Enforce health, safety, fire, crowd control, and emergency response standards to safeguard guests, staff, contractors, and SEVEN assets.
• Build and maintain routines for public realm and community activations with appointed partners to increase local visitor flow, audience participation, and venue visibility.
• Track venue costs, utilization, event outcomes, and operational performance through reporting that supports disciplined decision-making.
• Guide on-site staff, contractors, ushers, stewards, and service providers so guest service and operational standards stay consistent.
• Use post-event reviews, incident patterns, guest feedback, and readiness data to strengthen future venue performance.
• Work with AVL, staging, and rigging teams to manage installation, rehearsals, and strike schedules while respecting blackout periods and technical readiness needs.

Managerial duties

• Set and manage the daily priorities of on-site teams and service providers to keep ownership of readiness and event delivery clear.
• Drive issue escalation and real-time decision-making during live operations so risks are resolved without affecting safety or guest experience.
• Create team routines, briefing habits, and lessons-learned follow-up actions to steadily improve operational capability.

Knowledge and experience

Applicants should bring at least 6 years of relevant experience in venue operations, live events, entertainment facility management, hospitality operations, or a similar environment. A minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role managing teams, contractors, vendors, or front-line operational staff is also required. Experience in entertainment, hospitality, cultural venues, public realm activation, or large-scale guest-facing operations is preferred.

Preferred professional credentials include IOSH, NEBOSH, crowd management, event safety, technical production, or an equivalent venue operations certification.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Venue Operations, Hospitality Management, Performing Arts Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required. Additional professional learning in live entertainment, venue operations, crowd management, or guest experience management is preferred.