Freelance Operations Manager
6-Month Contract | October 2026 – March 2027
Location: Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Contract Fee: £9,000
Time Commitment: Approximately 14 hours per week (average)
About Isbourne Arts
Isbourne Arts is a volunteer-led performing arts and community venue located in the heart of Winchcombe. Opened in August 2024 following a successful community campaign to save and transform a former Methodist church, the venue is now a vibrant cultural hub, owned and operated by the charity Winchcombe Arts & Community Hub.
The organisation exists to engage the community in the arts, improve local quality of life, and create a sustainable cultural destination for Winchcombe and the surrounding area.
The venue hosts a diverse programme including live music, theatre, cinema screenings, workshops, markets and community events, delivered with the support of a committed volunteer team. The events programme is focused on weekends, with screenings on Thursdays and infrequent workshops on weekdays.
The Opportunity
Isbourne Arts is seeking an experienced freelance professional to provide operations management services during a six-month contract period.
The contractor will play a key role in ensuring the smooth, safe and high-quality delivery of the venue’s programme, helping to create an excellent visitor experience while supporting volunteers, visiting artists, hirers and contractors.
This is a freelance engagement and not an employment position. The successful contractor will provide services independently, manage their agreed workload and schedule in consultation with Isbourne Arts, and be responsible for their own tax, National Insurance and insurance arrangements.
Success in the role will be measured through the effective delivery of events, strong visitor experience, a well-supported volunteer operation and the consistent readiness of the venue.
Scope of Services
1. Event Operations & Delivery
Desired Outcome: Events are delivered smoothly, safely and to a consistently high standard.
The contractor will:
- Coordinate event logistics, including venue readiness, front-of-house arrangements and post-event follow-up.
- Liaise with visiting artists, companies, hirers and contractors to ensure operational requirements are met.
- Identify and resolve operational issues as they arise.
- Support the safe and professional delivery of events in line with legal requirements, venue policies and standards.
- Provide on-site operational support at an agreed proportion of events throughout the contract period.
2. Visitor Experience
Desired Outcome: Audiences enjoy a welcoming, accessible and positive experience that encourages repeat attendance.
The contractor will:
- Help maintain high standards of visitor experience across all events.
- Ensure front-of-house presentation, signage, cleanliness and customer flow are consistently maintained.
- Respond appropriately to visitor enquiries, feedback and operational issues.
3. Volunteer Coordination & Operational Support
Desired Outcome: Volunteers are effectively coordinated and supported to contribute confidently to venue operations.
The contractor will:
- Convene and coordinate the Operations Group.
- Assist with volunteer deployment across events and operational activities.
- Identify operational resourcing gaps and work with the organisation to address them.
- Provide clear operational briefings and guidance to volunteers.
- Contribute to a positive, inclusive and well-organised volunteer environment.
4. Venue Readiness & Operational Standards
Desired Outcome: The venue remains safe, presentable and operationally ready for programmed activity.
The contractor will:
- Coordinate operational preparations for scheduled events and activities.
- Liaise with cleaning, facilities and technical support providers.
- Monitor standards of presentation and functionality throughout the venue.
- Coordinate routine maintenance requirements and escalate issues appropriately.
- Support compliance with venue health and safety procedures, including monitoring routine checks and maintenance schedules.
Essential Experience and Skills
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Experience delivering venue operations and events management services within a public-facing environment.
- Strong customer service and visitor experience skills.
- Excellent organisational and coordination abilities.
- Availability to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends.
- Ability to maintain a sufficient on-site presence in Winchcombe to deliver the contractual services.
Desirable Experience
- Experience within an arts, cultural or community venue.
- Experience supporting or coordinating volunteers.
- Familiarity with health and safety requirements within public venues.
- Proximity to Winchcombe or ability to travel easily to the venue.
Personal Qualities
The successful contractor is likely to be:
- Proactive and solution-focused.
- Calm under pressure.
- Committed to high standards of safety, presentation and customer care.
- Friendly, approachable and confident when engaging with the public.
- Collaborative and respectful within a volunteer-led environment.
- Organised, dependable and attentive to detail.
Contract Arrangements
- Freelance contractor engagement.
- Fixed-term contract from October 2026 to March 2027 with onboarding in late September.
- Total contract fee: £9,000.
- Average commitment of approximately 14 hours per week.
- Hours worked flexibly around the event programme.
- Evening and weekend availability required.
- Significant on-site delivery in Winchcombe.
- No travel expenses provided.
Success Measures
The contract will be considered successful where:
- Events are consistently delivered safely and efficiently.
- Audience feedback and visitor experience remain strong.
- Volunteers are effectively coordinated and supported.
- The venue is operationally ready for scheduled activity.
- Operational issues are identified early and resolved effectively.
- Isbourne Arts continues to strengthen its reputation as a welcoming and professionally run community venue.
Key Dates
- Interviews: Late July / Early August 2026
- Appointment confirmed: End of August 2026
- Induction period: From 21 September 2026 (paid)
- Contract commencement: Monday 5 October 2026
How to Apply:
· Please submit a cover letter and CV to helenm@isbournearts.org by 5pm on Friday 10th July 2026
· All applicant emails should be titled: ‘Applicant Name’: Freelance Operations Manager Role Submission
· If you have any questions please email helenm@isbournearts.org
