VACANCY: OPERATIONS MANAGER, THE EXCHANGE (Maternity Cover)

You’ll play a key role in the day-to-day running of the building, leading our front of house team and volunteers, overseeing health and safety, and helping to ensure a welcoming experience for everyone who visits. If you enjoy a varied, hands-on role and are good at keeping people and things running smoothly, we’d love to hear from you.

JOB OUTLINE

SALARY Band 5, SCP 21-24 Annual Salary £26,939- £29,437 pro rata

EMPLOYMENT TERM Part-Time, Maternity Cover

DAYS / HRS OF WORK 30 hours a week, 9.00 – 17.00, Wed – Sat, which may flex during seven-day opening in the summer

LINE MANAGER Senior Operations Manager, Fran Ford

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS  9.00, MON 16 NOV

INTERVIEWS  24 & 25 NOV 2026

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Operations Manager at The Exchange is responsible for the safe, secure, and effective running of the building, and providing support to colleagues delivering public-facing activities.. This is a key management position requiring strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to health, safety, and security. You’ll manage a diverse team of volunteers and and a Duty Manager pool of staff, oversee daily operations, and ensure excellent customer service across all areas.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Building Management & Security

• Act as daily Duty Manager, ensuring the building is safe, secure, and ready for public use
• Ensure opening/closing procedures and security protocols are followed
• Take responsibility for the security of the building, cash, and artworks
• Manage all cleaning, maintenance and utility contracts; ensure all safety checks are carried out in line with building and insurance specifications
• Report any damage or theft of artwork following formal processes
• Liaise with our property management company and Director on issue relating to the leasehold occupants and other tenants of the building

Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Read, understand, and implement the emergency plan
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure all staff understand their responsibilities
• Ensure fire safety checks are carried out regularly
• Act as a designated first aider
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of staff, contractors, and public on-site and at off-site events

Front of House & Volunteer Management

• Oversee exhibition galleries and public areas are appropriately staffed and fit for use
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, and cover supervisors with a customer-centred approach
• Maintain rotas and report monthly hours to the finance team
• Communicate effectively between the front of house team and wider organisation
• Be the first point of contact on operational issues for FIG, the independently operated café service at The Exchange

Events & Customer Experience

• Coordinate and deliver gallery hires and events, briefing all teams
• Collect visitor data, Gift Aid information, and audience surveys
• Liaise with the Participation and Learning Programmer on group visits

What We’re Looking For

• Great organisational skills and attention to detail
• Strong H&S and building management awareness
• Ability to lead and manage a diverse team of volunteers and staff
• Positive, can-do attitude with a varied workload
• Experience with e-commerce or retail systems
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• First Aid qualification desirable

Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We don’t look for culture fit, but culture add. We value all the perspectives our team brings to the table and we want to hear from you. We encourage you to apply even if you do not fit 100% of the requirements.

Interviews will take place on 24 & 25 NOV 2026. If you are selected for interview, we will contact you on with a time for your interview on 18 OCT 2026. Please ensure that you provide a contact number so that we may reach you.

If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected]