Head of Operations

Application Deadline: 1 December 2025

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Donmar Warehouse Office

Reporting To: Head of HR

Compensation: £42,000 / year

Description Purpose of the role

The Head of Operations at the Donmar Warehouse is a critical role working in collaboration with all Donmar departments, contractors and freelance staff to ensure the smooth, safe and efficient running of all operational, facilities and Health and Safety processes.

The role will manage the Facilities & Operations Coordinator and between the two posts ensure adequate coverage is in place across the required hours on a shift basis. The role requires coordination, communication and direction to external parties such as security, maintenance and suppliers to ensure all needs of the organisation are met, including some availability out of hours by phone and email for the most part, with time off in lieu given.

The Donmar Warehouse sites, where this role operates, comprise the theatre, offices, a residential flat and include kitchens, bathrooms, plant rooms, etc.

Key Dates
Applications Close at 10am on Monday 1 December

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Round One Interviews: week commencing 8 December

Round Two Interviews: week commencing 15 December

Handover Days: early to mid January 2026

We believe that representation matters; diversity of identity, of perspective and of lived experience enriches our work and our lives. We recognise that the Donmar and the wider theatre industry is not representative of contemporary society in terms of workforce, artists and audience. We particularly encourage applications from those who are currently under represented both at the Donmar and more widely in the industry, and specifically from D/deaf or disabled, or neurodivergent applicants and applicants who experience barriers and inequity due to ethnicity, gender reassignment and/or socio economic background.

Duties and Responsibilities Building Management

• Managing a shift based work pattern between yourself and the Facilities Coordinator to provide minimum x1 on site coverage between 8.30am - 7pm Monday - Friday (excluding public holidays).
• Primary Keyholder of both premises, opening/closing Dryden Street offices daily, opening/closing Earlham Street theatre outside of normal operating hours as required for contractor access.
• On the on call list for out of hours issues with both buildings (Intruder alarm & Fire alarm - externally monitored) plus in hours (9am - 11pm Monday - Saturday) emergency calls from staff as needed.
• Supported by the Facilities Coordinator, covering occasional out of hours work as the need arises to keep the buildings functioning, both for scheduled and emergency works.
• Managing the cleaning and general maintenance contractors and ensuring that exceptional housekeeping and cleaning standards are maintained across both sites at all times.
• Working closely with the Facilities Coordinator, the Company Stage Manager, and freelance stage management to organise and welcome companies into the building and provide solutions for any facilities or buildings issues that come up.
• Working closely with the Front of House & Production teams to maintain all aspects of the theatre building to a high level of operation.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaising with a variety of contractors, freelancers and internal staff to ensure all planned and unplanned maintenance is delivered to high standard and in a timely fashion.
• Managing all relationships with regular contractors with emphasis on excellent communication and welcoming them into the buildings. Including but not exclusive to maintenance teams, cleaning and waste removal, external IT support, pest control and statutory inspections.
• Fostering an excellent relationship with rental tenants - both of Donmar office space and the Donmar apartment. Being a point of contact on all questions and issues that arise. Working closely with the producing team to manage the short term let of the apartment.
• Line managing the Facilities Coordinator and continuing their professional development at the Donmar. Supporting them through their daily tasks and longer term projects as needed.

Health & Safety, Security and Training

• Work closely with the Director of Technical and Production and external consultants/contractors to ensure the Health & Safety and Security compliance requirements of both buildings are met, including leading regular audits and inspections and carrying out/organising improvements across departments.
• Supporting all departments with their Health & Safety and Security responsibilities and understanding, promoting and upholding good working practices.
• Promote an open and positive Health & Safety culture across the company.
• With the support of the Head of HR, DTP and departmental HoDs, to book track and manage all mandatory training for job roles across the organisation, with particular focus on the Production and Front of House teams.
• Managing and maintaining our internal H&S tracking software (Blue Lemon) and leading the relationship with our external H&S consultants (RB Health & Safety).

Project and Systems Management

• Being the first point of contact for all departments in the company on any issues that might arise with facilities or IT. Supporting all colleagues to be able to carry out their roles and providing solutions and guidance as needed.
• Overseeing the management of the Donmar room booking software and meeting the ever shifting needs of a busy company - troubleshooting and getting ahead of scheduling issues within the office and promoting excellent communication between departments and freelancers alike.
• Alongside the GM Co ordinator & Facilities Coordinator, manage all internal onboarding and off boarding of salaried staff.
• Ensuring all organisational systems, documents and paperwork are kept up to date and shared with the appropriate people to promote knowledge and information sharing across the organisation.
• Budget holding for both buildings including tracking and forecasting all maintenance, repairs and contracts for operations and facilities.
• Project managing improvements to building operations and facilities.
• Identify and make recommendations for capital investment and support major projects as appropriate.

Sustainability

• To work with the Director of Technical & Production and Senior Producer to develop, adapt and champion the Donmar's Sustainability strategy, in line with the Theatre Green Book 2.0, with particular focus on sustainable buildings and operations.
• Support and where appropriate take the lead on ongoing efforts to decrease the carbon consumption of the Donmar's premises and operations. Be responsible for tracking progress against agreed KPIs and occasionally providing short written reports.
• To chair the Donmar's Environmental Action Group.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and we may, at any time, allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level.

Person Specification Essential

• Substantial experience in a management related role, demonstrating evidence based decision making and professional learnings. This role may suit someone with a background in Stage Management, Technical Management or Front of House Management.
• Understanding of theatre operations, processes, and roles - or experience working within a similar creative live performance environment.
• Experience in line management.
• Experience in managing external suppliers, contractors or freelancers.
• Experience writing, reviewing and managing process related documentation, risk assessments and other pertinent documents.
• Experience of supporting the delivery of organisational strategy, through clear and effective planning and reporting.
• Experience of managing aspects of Health & Safety in a professional environment and an understanding of related legislation.
• Computer literate, with the ability to learn and provide basic coaching on new IT systems and software, making the most of their capabilities.
• Ability to contribute to building, and effectively managing an operational budget.
• Excellent communication skills across all mediums (in person, phone, email and paperwork).
• Exceptional organisational skills; able to prioritise effectively, work under pressure, and adapt to new situations.
• Practical problem solver with a can do attitude and keen attention to detail.
• Calm and level headed, especially when faced with business critical challenges. Prioritising, organising & communicating solutions to relevant parties in a timely manner.
• Proactive collaborator, communicator and negotiator. Able to build strong working relationships both internally and externally in order to anticipate and meet needs and challenges ahead of time.
• Ability to prioritise an ever shifting workload with positivity, flexibility, tact and diplomacy to ensure both buildings run smoothly and safely even when new challenges appear.

Desirable

• IOSH qualification.
• Experience of managing Health & Safety in a professional technical, live performance environment.
• Experience of planning and managing training and professional development.
• A functional understanding of IT systems and basic networking. . click apply for full job details