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General Manager, Waterperry Opera Festival

  •  Remote
  •  Â£30k-40k
  •  Full time
  •  Closes December 29, 2025
  •  John Savournin
  •  john@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
  • #Performing arts

Description

Job Summary

General Manager role in a fast-growing arts organisation, overseeing core departments and working closely with senior creative staff. A hands-on, people-focused post central to festival delivery, process consolidation, and strategic growth within a dynamic, hybrid working environment.

Job Description

POST: General Manager

PAY: £32,000-£37,000 per annum (depending on experience)

REPORTING TO: Artistic Director & CEO

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Company Manager, Audience & Engagement Manager, Residency Manager, Marketing Officer

WORKING CLOSELY WITH: Head of Production, Production Manager, Festival Music Director, Head of Music, Co-Directors of the Young Artist Programme

CONTRACT: Permanent, subject to a three-month probationary period. During probation, notice by either party is two weeks; following successful completion, notice increases to three months.

HOLIDAY: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays

HOURS: 40 hours per week. Standard hours are 10:00-18:00 Monday to Friday, with flexibility negotiable. The role requires occasional evening and weekend work. This is a hybrid position with regular in-person working days and meetings at our London office near Bond Street.

The General Manager plays a pivotal role within a dynamic, fast-paced organisation. This is a hands-on position involved in all aspects of planning and delivering our annual programme, with significant variation in workload across the year. The role is central to the successful delivery of our festival, during which the organisation grows from a small core team to a company of over 100 people.

We are seeking a people-focused individual who will act as a key point of contact across the organisation, supporting team members and serving as a central source of information for multiple departments. The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative, contribute to strategic priorities, and have the opportunity to shape planning and delivery at a senior level.

A key focus of the role will be consolidating systems and delivery processes to support the organisation's continued artistic, financial, and strategic growth.

Job Requirements

  • Contribute to strategic planning through participation in Management Team and Board Subcommittee meetings

  • Oversee day-to-day operations across the organisation, acting as a central point of coordination

  • Produce and support festivals, tours, and smaller projects in collaboration with the AD/CEO

  • Manage company logistics including schedules, rehearsals, venues, travel, accommodation, and contracts

  • Act as deputy to the AD/CEO during Festival periods and attend events as required

  • Maintain artist, agent, and partner relationships; administer NA requests and safeguarding responsibilities

  • Oversee budgets, payments, invoices, expenses, and financial reporting

  • Support fundraising through individual giving, trusts and foundations, and events

  • Lead HR processes including recruitment, contracts, policies, and line management

  • Ensure excellent experience for artists, audiences, donors, and partners

Job Responsibilities

  • Extensive experience in a professional theatre or opera environment, ideally in a senior management role

  • Proven experience producing artistic projects and managing complex schedules and teams

  • Strong negotiation skills, particularly with artists, agents, and creative collaborators

  • Excellent organisational, administrative, and financial management skills

  • Experience drafting and managing budgets and financial reports

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative leadership style

  • Ability to prioritise, multitask, and work calmly under pressure

  • High level of attention to detail and ability to take initiative

  • Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding best practice

  • Desirable: HR and line management experience, fundraising or grant reporting experience, and knowledge of the opera or arts/charity sector

Useful Links

How to Apply

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter showing how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the Key Responsibilities and Person specification, to Artistic Director & CEO, John Savournin, at [email protected]. Letters should be no longer than two pages. All applications will be acknowledged.

If you require any support with this process, or if you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact John via the email address above.

The deadline for applications is Monday 29 December 2025 at 9am.
We will respond as soon as possible after the deadline to all applicants to let you know the outcome of your application.
Please ensure that you complete the Equalities Monitoring Questionnaire which can be accessed via our website. This form will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application.

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