Area Operations Manager Operations · Chilcomb House

HCT; Winchester; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural organization in Winchester is seeking an Area Operations Manager to lead diverse venues across Hampshire. The role requires a proven leader with extensive experience in managing customer-facing operations and a strong track record in driving financial performance. The successful candidate will inspire teams, deliver exceptional visitor experiences, and play a core role in implementing the organization's 2030 strategy, all while engaging closely with local communities. The position offers a competitive salary and extensive benefits.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

7.5% Employer pension contributions

Generous maternity, adoption, and paternity pay

Enhanced occupational sick pay

Paid emergency leave

Access to same day GP appointments

Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Team Card - Free access to venues for friends and family

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing multi-site operations.
• Proven track record of driving financial performance.
• Full driving license required for travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and develop venue teams for operational excellence.
• Drive financial performance across multiple venues.
• Implement the visitor experience strategy for Hampshire Cultural Trust.

Skills

Operational excellence

Financial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Flexibility to travel

Job description

Area Operations Manager

Level: 2B

Salary: £43,000 - £47,000 dependent on skills and experience

Location: Chilcomb, Winchester with regular travel countywide

Hours: 37 hours per week including regular evenings and weekends

Type of Contract: Permanent

Referral Category: B

Job Description

Can you inspire teams, deliver operational excellence, and help shape great visitor experiences?

You’ll lead a diverse portfolio of venues across Hampshire, delivering fantastic visitor experiences and operational excellence. You’ll inspire and develop venue teams to drive financial performance, and balance commercial success with cultural and community impact. Reporting to the Head of Venue Operations, you’ll play a central role in bringing Hampshire Cultural Trust’s 2030 and visitor experience strategy to life.

A bit about you

You’ll have extensive experience managing multi-site, customer-facing operations and leading high performing teams to achieve fantastic results. You’ll also have a proven track record of driving operational excellence through your teams. Strong financial and commercial acumen, including P&L and budget management, is essential, along with excellent stakeholder engagement skills. A full driving licence and the flexibility to travel between sites are required.

Who we are

At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 20+ attractions and deliver county-wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture.

We promote equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work and we encourage and support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our staff.

We are inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Therefore, we are committed to implementing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities in our recruitment process and in employment.

The benefits of working for us

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro-rated for part time working)
• 7.5% Employer pension contributions
• Generous occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay
• Enhanced occupational sick pay
• Generous compassionate leave scheme
• Paid emergency leave
• Industry leading Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to same day GP appointments for employees and their immediate family
• Octopus Electric Vehicle Lease Scheme (terms and conditions apply)
• Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)
• Interest-free Season ticket loans and travel loans from first day of employment
• Charity Worker Discounts Scheme (savings on retail, leisure, groceries, travel etc.)
• Access to free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses for VDU use
• Free flu vaccination vouchers
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Health Cash Plan (cashback on dental, optical, medical for monthly subscription cost)
• Opportunities to learn, develop and progress
• Free tea and coffee
• Team Card - Free access to venues for friends and family, and discounts across café and retail.

Recruitment process

We will be running a dynamic recruitment process so we would encourage candidates to submit an application as soon as possible as we will be interviewing candidates before the closing date.

Application instructions

To apply please fill in the application form with an up-to-date CV. We would encourage a covering letter for this position around your context for applying and why you would excel in the position.

Closing date for applications

22 January 2026

More information

To find out more about us visit our website www.hampshireculture.org.uk and https://careers.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/